Foreclosure Prevention - Saving Our Homes Ourselves (SOHO)

In the fall of 2009, the DC Council passed a law that requires lenders to notify homeowners of their right to request mediation before a lender can initiate foreclosure proceedings.  In response to this new law, Prof. Emma Coleman Jordan and a group of students formed an organization called SOHO for Saving Our Homes Our Selves.  The purpose of the group it to educate homeowners at risk of foreclosure about their rights under the new law and what resources are available to them to get help.

SOHO meets every other week during the semester.  Most of the field work is scheduled to take place on evenings and weekends. 

To find out more about volunteering, contact Holly Eaton in OPICS.

 

Seniors - Elder Law Project

Georgetown law students work with attorneys from Legal Counsel for the Elderly organizing Wills Clinics throughout the year where low income seniors can get important documents drafted and witnessed such as wills, powers of attorney, and advanced directives. Volunteers must commit to both days of the clinic usually 2-3 hours on an afternoon several weeks apart.  The first day of the clinic, seniors learn from the supervising attorney about the different documents they can have drafted and the students assist the seniors fill out a questionnaire. On the second day of the clinic, the prepared documents are given to the seniors to sign and the students assist as witnesses.

Approximately 2 clinics are scheduled every semester and volunteers can sign-up for clinics on an ad hoc basis.  To add you name to the list to be notified about the next clinic, contact contact Holly Eaton in OPICS.

 

Juveniles - East of the River Youth Court

The East of the River Youth Court presents an alternative approach to juvenile justice in which a juvenile offender has his/her case heard by a jury of his/her peers.  Youth Court holds youth offenders accountable for their actions and teaches them about the effects their actions have on themselves, victims and their communities.  Student volunteers to serve as youth court coordinators and advocate judges.  Responsibilities include providing guidance to the youth jury with their case analysis; ensuring respondent’s views are respected by the court; helping respondent understand the impact of his criminal behavior on victims; and maintaining order throughout the court process. Youth Court sessions are scheduled the second and fourth Saturday of every month from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Volunteers are asked to make a regular committment but it is not necessary to attend every scheduled court session.

For more information, contact Holly Eaton in OPICS

 

Human Rights -- Amnesty International/American Friends Service Committee

Georgetown Law has partnered with Amnesty International and the American Friends Service Committee to teach human rights to DC public high school students.  Volunteers must participate in training, commit to teach classes on a regular basis and attend weekly debriefing sessions.  Locations are throughout DC. 

American Friends Service Committee:  To teach with AFSC this fall, you must complete an application which is available here, and be available to attend the first training session towards the end of August, date to be announced.

Amnesty International -- To teach with Amnesty, you will have to complete an application which will be available here and participate in a training this September.

 

DPEP is an innovative approach to know-your-rights presentations using Theater of the Oppressed techniques. The goal of the project is to give immigrants of all ages hands-on training in how to assert their rights when dealing with the police or Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials. Volunteers are trained by staff of Casa de Maryland to conduct interactive presentations to groups in immigrant communities throughout the DC metropolitan area.  Presentations are scheduled for several times during each semester.

For more information,contact Holly Eaton in OPICS.

 

Capital Area Immigrants' Rights Coaltion Detained Immigrants' Rights Project

The CAIR Coalition, which provides advocacy, education, representation and outreach to the immigrant community of the Washington metropolitan area, recruits volunteers to accompany staff attorneys on monthly trips to detention facilities (jails) in Virginia to meet with clients, interview immigrant detainess, and distribute "know your rights" information packets. Volunteers must attend a mandatory training session and should commit to participate in at least 2 jail visits per semester.

More information will be available this fall.

 

A project of the Bar Association of DC’s Young Lawyers’ Division, Operation Crackdown assists neighborhood associations in their efforts to shut down reputed drug houses through negotiations with landlords of abandoned properties or litigation, if necessary.  Volunteer students assist the attorney chair of Operation Crackdown organize community outreach efforts and help with intake, investigation and documentation of neighborhood complaints about drug activities.  When a case is developed and referred to an attorney for handling, students can assist that attorney with investigation, drafting demand letters and attending negotiations.

For more information,contact Holly Eaton in OPICS.

 

Tax - DC Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Campaign (Spring only)

 

Homeless - Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless (Spring only)

Every spring up to 8 Georgetown Law students are selected to serve as Lane Evans Home Court Fellows who do a variety of projects for the staff attorneys at the Clinic including research, policy briefings, assisting attorneys at legal clinics, and know-your-rights presentations at area shelters. 

The commitment is approximately 5 hours a week from March through April (about 30 hours total) and the time volunteered counts towards the Pro Bono Pledge as law-related pro bono. Open to students from all JD classes. The application will be available in late December.

For more information,contact Holly Eaton in OPICS.