ADDITIONAL LINKS
Alternative Break Projects - Fall 2010
Students participated in the following pro bono projects during Fall Break 2010:
- Justice Bus - Oct. 2-3, 2010: Students traveled to a rural area of San Diego County to assist the organization Elder Law in Advocacy. Volunteers underwent an hour of training in advance, plus an orientation on Friday, Oct. 1 (60-90 minutes). The trip involved an overnight stay and two days of work. More information at the Public Interest Clearinghouse web site.
- Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA) Victims of Crime Project - Oct. 4-8, 2010: Students work in pairs to assist victims of crimes (ranging from domestic violence to child sex abuse) who previously requested and were granted legal status in the United States through the Violence Against Women Act or U-Visas and are now eligible for permanent legal residency. After training on Monday, Oct. 4, each student received a case file and interviewed the client. Before the next meeting with the client on Friday, students spent 5-10 independent hours preparing a proposed application packet. On Friday, Oct. 8, the students returned to LAFLA’s Long Beach office to meet with a supervising attorney and submit the proposed documents for review. Students then met with clients again to address any follow-up questions and submit final documents to LAFLA attorneys. lafla.org
- General Relief Advocacy Project - Oct. 4-6, 2010: The project, run by Public Counsel in Los Angeles, works at the Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) offices in L.A. County. Students assist clients with emergency benefits advocacy, particularly relating to shelter, food, health, transportation, and other social service needs. GRAP advocates routinely arrange for homeless individuals to receive shelter they would not otherwise have received, and assist indigent individuals in obtaining food and nutrition. Training and supervision provided by 2L David Rodwin.
- Pro Bono Week - Oct. 25-29, 2010: Volunteer opportunities with Public Law Center.
- Tuesday, Oct. 26 - Justice for All Legal Clinic Day. Attorney and law student volunteers conduct clinic intakes at various locations.
- SOS in Costa Mesa – 9-11 a.m.
- Mission San Juan Capistrano – 2-5 p.m.
- Families Forward in Irvine – 5-8 p.m.
- PLC in Santa Ana – 5-9 p.m.
- Thursday, Oct. 28, 5:30-8 p.m. – Volunteer Appreciation Reception at Andrei’s Conscious Cuisine in Irvine: A celebration for anyone who has volunteered with PLC in the last year, including new volunteers engaged during Celebrate Pro Bono Week, or those that assisted PLC with intakes through the Lawyering Skills class.
- Friday, Oct. 29 – Lawyers in the Library Outreach Events: Vanessa Leonardo, EJW AmeriCorps Fellow, organizes volunteers to give "Know Your Rights" presentations in the areas of consumer debt, landlord-tenant and immigration. Volunteers also give brief counsel and advice sessions that may turn into more extended representation.
- Tuesday, Oct. 26 - Justice for All Legal Clinic Day. Attorney and law student volunteers conduct clinic intakes at various locations.
> Click here for current Alternative Break opportunities
> Click here for current projects offered throughout the semester
During Fall Break 2010, UCI Law students assisted seniors in rural San Diego via the "Justice Bus" program (above) and helped L.A. County crime victims complete applications for permanent residency (below).
