On a warm day in July, Microsoft hosted a field day for clients at its main campus in Redmond, Washington, where more than 20 children and youth ages 13 to 24 gathered for a day of fun and learning. The day was an opportunity for clients and the Microsoft pro bono attorneys and volunteer interpreters who help them to interact in a festive environment and talk about sports and other client interests — a welcome change from discussing the child’s legal case and the difficult reasons they fled their home country to seek safety in the United States.
Clients met Microsoft staff, learned about how the company works, and about careers in technology. They also played corn hole, frisbee, and jumbo Connect Four, and enjoyed a huge inflatable slide and gym obstacle course.
The event began with clients creating watercolors as they waited for registration to finish. The group then headed to the outdoor fields to play games, including soccer.
Mohana Bhirangi, Program Manager, Microsoft shared, “as both a parent and a pro bono volunteer, seeing the joy on the kid’s faces was a heartwarming experience and a powerful reminder of why we do this work. This event gave them a break from their challenges, allowing them to just be kids, while also showing them that they belong in spaces like Microsoft, where they can dream big and be inspired.”
Learning from Microsoft Staff
Clients ate pizza and ice cream sundaes with their pro bono attorneys and interpreters while Adrián Palma the Global Pro Bono Manager & Digital Strategist at Microsoft, who is a DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipient, shared his story about arriving in the United States and how he now uses technology to expand access to justice in his role at Microsoft. Adrián’s presentation was in Spanish with Artificial Intelligence (AI) interpreting for clients who speak other languages. After the presentation, clients played Xbox in a large interactive area for visitors. Clients loved playing the variety of games available.
One client had just graduated from high school and was seeing his pro bono lawyers for the first time since he had graduated, and they enjoyed a celebratory moment.
At the end of the day, Microsoft gave clients gift cards to spend at the gift shop. Clients browsed the store and bought stuffed Xbox characters, Minecraft toys, hats, fanny pack for themselves, and other gifts for their family. The clients left the campus with big smiles on their faces. 
Creating Bridges of Connection for Clients
“Events like these are so important for our clients,” said Alexandra. “We wanted to create a space where KIND clients were able to have the most fun they have had in a while and simultaneously have access to this worldwide technology leader that is in their own community, to create bridges of connection for KIND clients to learn about and meet leaders from Microsoft. Creating these access points to organizations in their community can help create pathways for them if they want a career in technology. Some of the Microsoft pro bono staff talked with clients about their interest in technology following the event. This event created a space for those connections to happen. These events also provide important opportunities for our youth to build community and connections among each other. Our hope is that the ripple effect of this opportunity will continue to positively impact KIND clients.”
Jessica Castellanos, managing director of KIND’s Seattle office, added,
“Events like these show clients that they belong in these spaces, that it is possible and within their reach.”
Thank you to Microsoft for hosting and for its years of pro bono support, KIND’s pro bono team, and KIND’s Seattle office.
