Chuhak & Tecson employees serve in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day (MLK Day), over 65 employees of Chuhak & Tecson gathered to support three organizations: Misericordia Heart of Mercy (Misericordia), Farmworker and Landscaper Advocacy Project (FLAP) and Loyola Comfort Care. For the fifth consecutive year on MLK Day, this day of service showcases the commitment that the attorneys, paralegals and staff have to the firm’s motto: Right there with you.

“Providing help to those in need is a value we share within the culture of our firm as a whole,” said Terrell J. Isselhard, principal and co-chair of the firm’s Diversity & Inclusion Council. “Working with not for profit organizations has allowed us to serve a diverse group of people and has given our employees opportunities to reach their personal volunteer goals.”  

At the start of the day, volunteers traveled to the Misericordia Chicago community to assist residents with their daily activities while other firm employees helped in the bakery. Misericordia is a long-standing service partner of Chuhak & Tecson that offers a community of care that maximizes potential for persons with mild to profound developmental disabilities, many of whom are also physically challenged. By serving society’s most vulnerable citizens, Misericordia also serves the families who want the best for them, yet cannot provide it at home.

Attorney Paulina Garga-Chmiel, Diversity & Inclusion Council co-chair and liaison for Misericordia, said, “It is important to everyone at our firm to give back to those who need it, which is why we are so grateful to volunteer for this highly respected and well-known organization.”

Back at the firm, a separate group of volunteers participated in a Jeans Day or baked goodies at home for an in-firm bake sale for the Farmworker and Landscaper Advocacy Project (FLAP). Introduced to the firm by FLAP board member and Chuhak & Tecson employee Maria Dominguez, this organization’s mission is to improve conditions for low-income farm, landscape and meat-packing workers. They also conduct outreach to educate and inform the community, in addition to partnering with other groups to fight human labor trafficking. The Jeans Day and baked goods sale generated over $500 in donations.

“We are grateful to Chuhak & Tecson for their fundraising activities on MLK Day benefitting our organization,” said Alexandra Sossa, executive director of FLAP. “This generous donation will help with our efforts to improve the working conditions for our community.”

For the third event, volunteers cut and tied a total of 50 blankets for the men, women and children chemotherapy patients who partake in Loyola University Health’s Comfort Care Project. Launched 11 years ago when Loyola’s pastoral staff found an opportunity to fulfill Loyola’s promise of “treating the human spirit” for people going through difficult times, the project seeks to provide a homey touch to long-term patients through the donation of a fleece blanket.

Employing people from a wide variety of diverse backgrounds, Chuhak & Tecson is dedicated to creating an environment in which each person feels supported, listened to, and able to do their personal best. Parallel to the firm’s Diversity & Inclusion Council, the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service is an opportunity to demonstrate that lending a hand is a responsibility and a privilege, especially for local communities in need.