Minerva is an Administrative Secretary in our Pro Bono and Private Attorney Involvement Unit. She has worked for Lone Star Legal Aid in Houston for 6 years.
“Working at LSLA is deeply meaningful work. I have the opportunity to learn something new every day while helping clients navigate some of the most difficult and heartbreaking moments of their lives. I enjoy being part of a dedicated team that works together to provide hope, legal guidance and a new beginning for those we serve.” – Minerva Madrid
Q: What makes you proud to work at Lone Star Legal Aid?
A: What makes me proud to work at Lone Star is being part of a team where leaders, attorneys, and staff are genuinely dedicated and passionate about their work and serving our clients. Every day, I witness a co-worker going above and beyond with compassion, treating each client with dignity and respect from the beginning of their case until it is finalized. I believe we are called to love our neighbors and serve others with compassion, and I am grateful to work in an organization where those values are reflected in our mission and in the people, I work with. I am grateful to be part of an organization where I can put those values into practice each day. Hearing clients express their gratitude sometimes through heartfelt calls and even tears of appreciation reminds me that our work has a lasting impact and truly changes lives. It reinforces my faith, strengthens my commitment to serving others, and makes me proud to work at LSLA every day.
Q: What skills are most important in your role as an Administrative Secretary?
A: Be ready for the unexpected and quickly adjust to changing priorities. Finding solutions and anticipating needs before they become issues. Stepping in to help wherever needed. Treating every client with empathy, patience, and professionalism.
Q: What is one thing you would like others to know about the impact of pro bono work?
A: The impact of Pro Bono work is that the need for legal services in our communities exceeds the number of attorneys we have available to help. In Harris County and rural communities, access to legal assistance is limited; there just aren’t enough attorneys to meet the demand for legal services needed. The Pro Bono/PAI attorneys and volunteers willing to give their time and expertise provide life-changing legal help to individuals and families who wouldn’t have access to legal representation and nowhere to turn. It allows us to serve a much larger population for people who need it most.
Q: What keeps you at LSLA:
A: It’s knowing that the work we do truly changes people’s lives. I have also experienced difficult times myself, and I understand how difficult it can feel when you don’t know where
to turn for help. That personal perspective gives me compassion for our clients and motivates me to serve them with empathy and respect. Being part of a team that provides hope, guidance, and a path toward a better future is incredibly rewarding, and knowing that my small contribution can make a positive difference in someone’s life is what inspires me every day.
Q: What advice would you give someone considering joining LSLA?
A: Be prepared for an experience that will change you. The work is meaningfully challenging and deeply rewarding. Every day offers an opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of individuals and families who need it most. You will grow both professionally and personally and you will never be the same.