Volunteer Spotlight: Marlon Baquedano, Yi and Z Law Group
Hook: “Behind every struggling adult is a child who may have been hurting for a very long time.”
Article: For Attorney Ad Litem Marlon Baquedano, that thought became a calling. Now he volunteers with Crossroads For Florida Kids, hoping to be the person he wishes had been there for so many others. From a Walmart run with a young client to a family camping trip at Yellowstone, here is a closer look at the AAL behind the advocacy.
What inspired you to become an Attorney Ad Litem volunteer with Crossroads For Florida Kids?
Sometimes, when I work with adults who are struggling, I can’t help but see the child inside them who may have been hurting for a very long time. It makes me wonder how different their lives might have been if someone had been there for them when they needed it most. I became an Attorney Ad Litem volunteer because I hope that, in some small way, I can be that person for a child. I know I can’t change everything they’re going through, but maybe I can help make sure that the child they carry within them someday won’t have to hurt as much or struggle as much.
Can you share a meaningful moment or experience from your time as a volunteer that has stayed with you? (No identifying details needed.)
One experience that has stayed with me was when I picked up a child I was representing to take him to court, and afterward we stopped at Walmart to get him some clothes and food. What struck me most was how easily and openly he spoke to me about some very serious traumas in his life. It made me question why he could speak so casually about them.
What would you say to someone considering becoming an Attorney Ad Litem volunteer?
Simply showing up, listening, and making sure a voice is heard can mean more than we realize. We may never know the full impact of what we do, but I think that’s part of what makes the work worthwhile.
What’s a hidden talent you have that few people know about?
If I have one, it must be being good at keeping hidden talents!
Where is your favorite place you’ve traveled to, or if you haven’t been there yet, where is at the top of your list and why?
Yellowstone National Park. I recently had the opportunity to camp there with my wife and my son, and it was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. There’s something humbling and hopeful about standing in a place that reminds you how beautiful life can be. Watching my son discover that world for the first time made it even more special. Although, if you ask him, the hotel swimming pool was the highlight of the entire trip.
What would be your theme song when you enter a courtroom?
“The Hardest Button to Button” by The White Stripes.
If you had to teach a 5-minute class on anything you love, what would the topic be?
Scooby-Doo.
What’s a small opinion you will defend with your whole heart?
Dinosaurs are not just for kids.
