Margaret "Peggy" Wojkowski
Pro Bono Net Volunteer Spotlight - Margaret "Peggy" Wojkowski
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Since September 2014, I have been involved with the Self-Help Web Center at the Cook County Circuit Court. I was a student volunteer, then a shift manager. Since April 2015, I have been the co-supervising manager. |
Q: Tell us a little bit about your work at the Self-Help Web Center.
At the SHWC, student-volunteers from Chicago-Kent College of Law help pro se litigants in a few different ways. We help them complete forms (complaints, motions, fee waiver applications, etc.) either by explaining the paper form or assisting them with the A2J Guided Interviews. The A2J interviews help them share information that then is used to create a complete legal document and full set of instructions through Pro Bono Net's LawHelp Interactive. In addition, we provide general court information or direct them to available legal services, if they need legal advice. Also, we sometimes look up the case docket for the visitors. |
Q: Why did you decide to do volunteer work?
I have the privilege of attending law school. I feel that it is important to give back to the community and to help everyone have access to justice. | "I feel that it is important to give back to the community." |
Q: Why do you feel it’s important for you to do volunteer work? What motivates you?
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Q: Did you learn any new skills during your experience?
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Q: Has your volunteer work assisted you professionally?
Yes. Job interviewers always ask about my experience at the SHWC. I feel proud to tell them that, in addition to earning good grades during law school, I have made time to volunteer. |
Q: Tell us about some of the people you met while working at the Center.
I have met amazing volunteers and shift managers who spend their free time helping those in the community. The range of visitors is extensive, from landlords who are renting out a room in their homes to people who are defending collection proceedings and everything in between. On average, we help at least 500 people per month. |
Q: How has your volunteer service impacted you? Do you feel like you made a difference?
I absolutely feel like I make a difference. Many of the visitors feel like they are drowning in an ocean when they come to the courthouse, and I see the SHWC desk as a buoy. Sometimes we are first stop for the visitors, and sometimes we are the last stop. All visitors are treated with dignity and respect, and we listen to their issues. This makes all the difference. If they run into barriers, they may not pursue their issues, due to frustration. Whether we are helping visitors with paperwork or referring them to a legal aid service, everyone is so grateful for our help. |
Q: Would you recommend volunteer work to others? What kinds of advice would you offer to someone looking to do volunteer work?
Absolutely. Volunteering helps the community, feels good, and builds a resume. I would suggest picking just one or two organizations with which to volunteer. You don't want to overextend yourself. Also, if the time commitment becomes overwhelming, just communicate with the organization. |
"All visitors are treated with dignity and respect, and we listen to their issues. This makes all the difference." |
Q: Do you plan on doing pro bono/volunteer work after you graduate?
Beginning next year, I will be an associate at a large IP boutique here in Chicago, but volunteer work will always be a part of my life. |
Q: As a law student, how do you find the time to do volunteer work?
Just like anything else that is important to me, I make the time for it. |
Q: What surprised you the most about your work at the SHWC?
This year, we had an amazing turnout from Chicago-Kent students. I could not believe the number of 1Ls interested in the program. I was elated. This holds promise that the SHWC program will continue to flourish. |
Q: What did you find most challenging about your work?
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The Self-Help Web Center (SHWC) is a help desk located on the 6th floor of the Circuit Court of Cook County at the Richard J. Daley Center. The SHWC is designed to serve as a starting point for litigants who must navigate an unfamiliar and complex court system on their own.
The SHWC has three Internet enabled computer workstations that provide individuals of all technical skill levels access to user friendly web-based tools and legal resources created by Illinois Legal Aid Online. Illinois Legal Aid Online's resources provide visitors with a better understanding of their legal issue and the court's procedural requirements. In addition, students from Chicago-Kent College of Law are available to help visitors utilize the wealth of online legal information available.
The Self-Help Web Center is the result of close collaboration between Dorothy Brown, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County; the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County; and, Chicago-Kent College of Law's Center for Access to Justice and Technology.
Hours for the SHWC are Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.
Related Resources
- Illinois Legal Aid Online
- Interested in volunteering? Start searching for opportunities right now by using our searchable online Pro Bono Opportunities Guide or check out our "Volunteer Tools" page to learn about the range of online resources we have on probono.net to help mobilize and engage pro bono volunteers!
- Back to the Featured Volunteers homepage
Interested in volunteering? Check out our "Volunteer Tools" page to learn about the range of resources we have at Pro Bono Net to help mobilize and engage pro bono volunteers, or start searching for opportunities right now by using our national Pro Bono Opportunities Guide!