Name: Joanne Marie Fakhre
Age: I was 17 years old when I moved to the U.S.
Family: Husband, Cmdr. Jeffrey S. Spivey, U.S. Navy (soon to be captain). Also, one brother, three sisters, parents and two awesome nephews.
Pets: Buddy, bull mastiff puppy
Education: University of North Florida, B.A. psychology, minor biology. University of North Florida, M.S. in criminal justice. Florida Coastal School of Law, J.D.
Admitted to the Bar: 2000
Employed by: Self-employed
Field of practice: Immigration and nationality law
Professional organizations: American Immigration Lawyers Association, The Florida Bar, The Jacksonville Bar Association, Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association, pro bono attorney, immigration matters for Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, the Eleventh Circuit and U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida.
Community involvement: Recently, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, participated in citizenship day and pro bono work; Tele Lumiere, participated in a fundraiser event.
How did you get involved?
I was asked to help out and I agreed to. Both organizations provide much needed services in different ways. I have been so fortunate in life with having a wonderful family and volunteering is my way of giving back.
How can someone else get involved?
With the Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, contact Kathy Para. However, I do recommend that you find a service you would like to provide and contact an organization in which you can do so. You are more likely to enjoy volunteering if it is in something you believe in. You can make a difference in someone’s life with every small act, such as spending time with an elderly person who has no family.
What have you learned/achieved through the experience?
To be thankful for what I have and not to worry about what I want. Through volunteering, I have met the most interesting people that have also made a difference in my life.
What was the last book you read or are reading?
“The Secret of the Rosary,” by St. Louis de Montfort, and “The War of Ideas: Jihadism against Democracy,” by Professor Walid Phares.