“I love my job, but it’s not like I woke up one day and said, ‘I want to work for a non-profit as a child welfare paralegal.’ I went to a college prep type of high school in Massachusetts, and I remember getting called down to the office because I didn’t have a plan. I love learning, it just took me a while to find a career path.
I did things backwards from most. I started a family and then I went back to school. Sometimes you need life to find your focus. I sat back and REALLY thought about what interests me and law came to mind. I earned my associate’s degree in paralegal studies, and in 2024 I got my bachelor’s degree in legal studies from Widener. For a long time, I felt like I had a habit of starting something and not following through, so I wanted to prove to myself that I could reach this goal.
This job isn’t for everyone. It requires empathy deep within your soul. You have to be strong in a way you never thought. You have to have an open, welcoming, nonjudgmental mindset. It can be tricky because we don’t always know for certain what’s best for a kid.
When I go to court, suddenly the names I see on paper come to life. I see faces, family dynamics, and emotions, and it brings it all to life. It keeps me connected and focused on a mission. I’m just a tiny piece of a big puzzle, but I’m contributing something to these kids and to society.”
- Cara, Paralegal
We Are Voce is a series featuring the unique voices of Voce staff, highlighting the experiences, perspectives, and passions of the people who make a difference every day. This series celebrates the people and stories that bring our mission to life.
