De Novo Celebrates Volunteers, Community Partners at Annual Appreciation Event
On September 24, 2024,De Novo celebrated the work of over 100 volunteers and many community partners at its annual Volunteer Appreciation Event at the Multicultural Arts Center in Cambridge, Mass. This year’s celebration included the presentation of the Dr. Joseph H. Brenner Award and the Herb Epstein Volunteer Excellence Award, along with storytelling from De Novo staff, volunteers and a client.
“From our inception, De Novo has been rooted in a deep commitment to social justice and human rights, and we continue to hold these principles in everything that we do,” Mojdeh Rohani, De Novo executive director, said in her opening remarks. “Our staff and volunteers are deeply committed to our clients and the communities we serve, working tirelessly to ensure that all individuals are treated with the respect, dignity, and humanity that they deserve.”
Above: Christopher Feudo (left), a labor and employment attorney at Foley Hoag LLP and De Novo legal volunteer, received the Dr. Joseph H. Brenner Award for his exceptional pro bono service. Chris has donated more than $114,300 in pro bono legal services to De Novo since 2022.
Janet Amphlett (right), a psychologist and long-time counseling volunteer, was honored with the Herb Epstein Volunteer Excellence Award. Janet began her career in social work at De Novo in 1988 under the supervision of former clinical director Paul Goldmuntz. She returned to De Novo in 2015 as a volunteer forensic psychological evaluator and therapist.
Among the evening’s highlights, a former counseling client touched on the ways in which she worked with our staff and volunteers to transform her life. “I’ve received support from many people at De Novo... I have felt like a member of your family as you surrounded and supported me, helping me become an ever more courageous and independent woman.” Katherine Hughes, a volunteer attorney and clinical social worker, spoke about her experience working with survivors of domestic violence and immigrant youth fleeing violence.
“To have the experience of witnessing human courage, growth, and healing is why I think we do this work...” said Katherine Hughes. “It is a privilege to hold the stories we are told and uphold our clients.”
De Novo volunteers serve in a wide range of capacities, from pro bono legal representation, to mental health counseling, interpretation and translation, and administrative support for the organization. Volunteers also engage in outreach to underserved communities and advocate for improved access to civil legal assistance and mental health services.
“Many of the individuals that we see here have suffered tremendous family and community violence, poverty and dislocation. Often, we are one of the few places where they can access the kind of long-term, consistent care that they need,” said Janet Amphlett, the Herb Epstein Volunteer Excellence Award recipient. “[Herb] believed strongly in the Talmudic teaching that to save one person’s life is to save the world. Together, I like to think we’re staying true to Herb’s legacy and saving the world one person at a time. And, as so many of you people here know, sometimes that person is us.”