A Morning of Connection, Confidence, and Giving Back at LifeTown

By Michele Richman

"They said I don't know how to ride a bike, and look at me now!"

A beaming teenage girl called this out to me on her twentieth lap around the town square at LifeTown, pedaling a big trike past the glowing theater marquee and the little salon on the corner. Each student was supposed to get two turns. But watching her joy and determination, none of us had the heart to stop her.

She circled again and again, grinning and growing more confident with every lap. Watching her experience that sense of accomplishment was the clearest picture I could have of what LifeTown offers: the opportunity to practice everyday skills, build independence, and discover what you're capable of.

That was the moment I knew this would be a morning we would all remember.

Last Thursday morning, a group of our NJ Lawliners traded our laptops for name tags and aprons and spent the morning volunteering at LifeTown in Livingston, New Jersey.

LifeTown is a 53,000-square-foot, fully inclusive and accessible center where individuals of all abilities, their families, and the community come together. At its heart is a simulated town, complete with streets and crosswalks, a movie theater with a popcorn stand and ticket booth, a hair and nail salon, a garden shop filled with flowers, and even a bookstore.

Participants move through the town practicing real-life skills: shopping, paying, waiting their turn, crossing the street, and making choices independently.Our team was stationed throughout the shops. Some of us helped young gardeners pot plants and fill spray bottles. Others staffed the bookstore checkout, where I was delighted to spot the familiar Words Bookstore sign, a little piece of my own Maplewood hometown tucked inside this special place.My husband David even joined us for the morning, taking on what may have been the most popular job in town: scooping ice cream! Meanwhile, I was assigned crossing guard duty, complete with a light blue officer's shirt and stop sign. The other Lawliners had a field day imagining our love story as the ice cream man falling for the crossing guard. Who knew our morning of volunteering would turn into a LifeTown romantic comedy?I spent the morning standing at the crosswalk with my stop sign, helping students navigate the streets of town.

For many participants, crossing a street safely is an important skill that takes practice. At LifeTown, they get to develop that confidence in a supportive environment: look both ways, wait for the signal, and cross safely.

I watched student after student approach the curb, sometimes with hesitation, and make their way across. Some crossed entirely on their own. Others crossed with a little assistance from their teachers or aides. Every crossing was an opportunity to learn and grow.

I also learned something important about myself. I do not have the temperament or stamina to be a crossing guard. Hats off to every real one out there!

But being part of helping those students build confidence and independence was one of the most meaningful experiences I've had in a long time.I wasn't the only one who left LifeTown moved by the experience. Here's what a few of my fellow volunteers had to say.

Beth Pauley, Senior Learning Solutions Attorney, found that the day connected her with LifeTown and with her own colleagues:

"Volunteering at LifeTown was an amazing experience; not only did we get to support an inspiring organization and amazing kids, but it was also a great chance to bond with teammates I don't usually get to work with!"

Michelle Ramires, Marketing Specialist, was struck by the world LifeTown has built:

"What I loved most about volunteering at LifeTown was getting to see firsthand the amazing environment they've created. It was so nice to see how they make everyday experiences fun, welcoming, and accessible for individuals with special needs. It was a great reminder of how meaningful it is to give back, connect with others, and make a difference. I left feeling grateful to have been part of such a special experience!"

Lana Glacken, Senior Enterprise Manager, spent the morning behind the bookstore counter:

"It was a rewarding experience. I was overwhelmed by many positive emotions working in the bookstore. It's especially touching witnessing how much the children loved browsing for new books and treating them like their little treasures when they came to me to check out. It was priceless. I'm glad LifeTown exists and I'll be spreading the word about volunteering opportunities so more people can come and help out."

Giving back to the communities we live in is part of who we are at Lawline. Our volunteer days give us the opportunity to step away from our desks, connect with our communities, and put our core value of Care into action.

As a fully remote team, we also don't often get to stand side by side. Spending a morning together at LifeTown, laughing at the crosswalk, cheering on gardeners, and ringing up young readers' treasures brought us closer as colleagues in a way no video call can.

And that's one of the things I love most about these experiences. We show up hoping to make a difference for others, and we leave having gained something ourselves.

We're excited to share that we plan to make LifeTown a recurring volunteer opportunity for our NY/NJ team members. If you missed this one, please join us next time. And if you live nearby, I highly recommend signing up to volunteer on your own.

You may just meet a teenager on a trike who reminds you what joy, confidence, and possibility look like.

Thank you to the entire LifeTown team for welcoming us, and to every Lawliner who showed up ready to make a difference.

Learn more about LifeTown and its volunteer opportunities here.