A MESSAGE FROM Jaeki Cho's New York Marathon to Help New Yorkers Access Justice
Yo, I'm Jaeki Cho, a New York City content creator running Righteous Eats, a page that shines a light on local mom-and-pop restaurants. As a child of a small business owner and an immigrant—arriving from South Korea via China at age nine and becoming a U.S. citizen in my early twenties—the struggles faced by small businesses, first-generation immigrants, and minorities navigating America hit close to home.
The U.S. legal system can be a labyrinth, especially for those with language barriers and little experience. I remember the intensity as an 11-year-old, sitting in a paralegal’s cubicle, attempting to translate for my frustrated father who desperately sought answers, only to be told to wait for a government response. It’s a complex cocktail of frustration, fear, and uncertainty that I wish no small business owner, underserved community member, or immigrant with limited access to legal aid has to endure.
As I gear up for my second NYC Marathon, I've chosen to support Volunteers of Legal Service (VOLS). Founded in the 80s when government-funded legal aid programs were gutted, VOLS provides free legal advice, representation, and education to underserved communities, including working-class, minority, and immigrant populations. VOLS’ legal projects specifically support small business owners and immigrant young people so they can thrive.
This mission resonates deeply with me. As a first-generation immigrant who has faced the complexities of the legal system firsthand, I have many friends with limited opportunities due to their immigration status. Some were fortunate enough to be part of DACA; others weren’t as lucky and faced dire consequences.
What's considered common isn't always accessible to many. For some, a simple phone call can become an arduous journey through an intimidating legal maze. That's why, for this marathon, I'm raising $3,000 for VOLS. If this message strikes a chord, I'd appreciate any form of support.
Aight, hope to see you out on the streets of NYC on Sunday, November 3rd. Peace and blessings.
The U.S. legal system can be a labyrinth, especially for those with language barriers and little experience. I remember the intensity as an 11-year-old, sitting in a paralegal’s cubicle, attempting to translate for my frustrated father who desperately sought answers, only to be told to wait for a government response. It’s a complex cocktail of frustration, fear, and uncertainty that I wish no small business owner, underserved community member, or immigrant with limited access to legal aid has to endure.
As I gear up for my second NYC Marathon, I've chosen to support Volunteers of Legal Service (VOLS). Founded in the 80s when government-funded legal aid programs were gutted, VOLS provides free legal advice, representation, and education to underserved communities, including working-class, minority, and immigrant populations. VOLS’ legal projects specifically support small business owners and immigrant young people so they can thrive.
This mission resonates deeply with me. As a first-generation immigrant who has faced the complexities of the legal system firsthand, I have many friends with limited opportunities due to their immigration status. Some were fortunate enough to be part of DACA; others weren’t as lucky and faced dire consequences.
What's considered common isn't always accessible to many. For some, a simple phone call can become an arduous journey through an intimidating legal maze. That's why, for this marathon, I'm raising $3,000 for VOLS. If this message strikes a chord, I'd appreciate any form of support.
Aight, hope to see you out on the streets of NYC on Sunday, November 3rd. Peace and blessings.
