Are you tired of people pretending you’re invisible? Well, one man understands your pain. Rehan Staton, a Harvard law student, used to be a sanitation worker in Maryland. Trust us, he’s been there. He worked hard to get to where he is today, but he never forgot those who helped him along the way. That’s why he’s giving back to the support staff at Harvard Law School — the custodians, cafeteria workers, and security personnel. They might not wear suits and ties like the students, but they deserve recognition too.

Have you ever been minding your business, cleaning away, and then someone speaks to you? You’d be just as surprised as the custodian who was acknowledged by Rehan Staton. She didn’t even think he was talking to her! That just goes to show how invisible the support staff can feel sometimes. Rehan knew exactly how she felt — he used to be in her shoes. He worked as a trash collector before he became a Harvard law student.

It’s not easy being a student at a prestigious university like Harvard. It’s even harder when you’re doing manual labor before attending class! Rehan would often show up in his yellow uniform because there wasn’t enough time for a shower. Talk about dedication! He sat at the back of the lecture hall to avoid judgment from peers since he didn’t come from a privileged background. But he still made special bonds with custodians, cafeteria workers, and security staffers because he saw them as family.

Rehan knows firsthand that financial struggles are difficult. He had a tough upbringing, and so did his family. Sometimes they didn’t have electricity or enough food at home. That’s why he’s giving back to support staff at Harvard Law School who help keep things running smoothly. They often go unnoticed, but Rehan sees them. He used his savings to gift 100 Amazon gift cards to support staff, along with handwritten thank you notes. They deserve recognition too!

Rehan reached out to support staff at Harvard Law School to see how their lives could be improved. It turns out, many of them feel unseen by students. Rehan used that knowledge to start a nonprofit organization called the Reciprocity Effect. The organization gives need-based grants, recognizes support staff, and supports what Rehan calls the “unsung heroes” who work behind the scenes. He even got the assistance of a former employer and friend, Brent Bates, to co-found the organization.

Sometimes, people just need to feel valued. That’s why Rehan, Lla Anderson, and Brent organized a “thank you” card drive, along with Amazon gift cards. Over 250 students wrote messages of gratitude to support staff at Harvard Law School. Support staff were, understandably, emotional when they received their customized trophies and $100 Amazon gift cards during the awards banquet. It’s only the beginning for the Reciprocity Effect.

Rehan’s initiative has already made a difference. Since the awards banquet, support staff have been walking around a little taller. And, let’s be real, who wouldn’t want that? Rehan hopes to expand the initiative beyond Harvard to educational institutions across the country. He wants support staff everywhere to feel recognized. After all, nobody gets to where they are alone — it takes a village.

Big shoutout to Tyler Perry, who helped Rehan’s dreams come true. Tyler’s gift to Rehan allowed him to help others. Talk about paying it forward! Rehan hopes to carry kindness with him throughout his life, and we hope you do too!

Serious News: washingtonpost