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Public Service ProgramsWYLD is proud to sponsor several initiatives which support the commitment of our membership to public service and broad access to the justice system: Aspiring Youth Program The Public Service/Pro Bono Committee sponsors the Aspiring Youth Program, created to reach out to at-risk middle school students during the "latch key" hours. A committee of Spokane young lawyers implemented this after school program as a pilot program, combining education, sports and inspirational speakers. This program has been a great success and will continue to be expanded to schools in other areas in an effort to promote leadership and make a difference in our communities. FEMA Disaster Legal Assistance Program The Pro Bono/Public Service Committee coordinates the FEMA disaster legal assistance panel. A permanent training program has been created, and an all volunteer panel of attorneys has been created to render legal advice to victims of any natural disaster that may befall citizens of our state. The committee has been active continuing to recruit volunteer attorneys to provide legal advice and/or representation to disaster victims and maintaining ties with and coordinating services with the ABA and FEMA. Greater Access and Assistance Program GAAP is a joint project and committee of the Access to Justice Board and the Washington Young Lawyers Division. It is an innovative program in Washington State that allows young lawyers to gain valuable experience by providing low-bono services, and also allows low income community members access to legal services. Pre-Law Student Leadership Conference This program was designed for, and targeted towards at-risk youth and minority students. Students who attend are encouraged to pursue a legal career and to take active leadership roles in their communities and student governments. This program emphasizes the importance of staying in school and being an active member of society. At the conference in Yakima students participate in interactive workshops where they discuss case studies relating to criminal and family law issues. Students also discuss issues that currently impact youth, and work together to develop an action plan to they can implement on their own. During past conferences, program chairs have been successful in attracting top keynote speakers including Justice Charles Smith, WSBA President Ron Ward, King County Executive Ron Sims, and Representative Mary Skinner. Each conference has been well attended and last years' conference was no exception, with over one hundred students attending, and over thirty attorneys, judges and community leaders volunteering their time to act as mentors and role models. The WYLD annually co-sponsors and participates in the YMCA Mock Trial program. The Mock Trial prepares students, not only for legal or political careers, but also for life as engaged members of their communities. Volunteering for Mock Trial gives legal professionals a platform to teach the importance of teamwork and compromise in a competitive world and to foster the values of honesty, caring, respect and responsibility that often get overlooked. Youth and Law Forum Washington First Responder Wills Clinic The Public Service/Pro Bono Committee working with a group of Washington young lawyers coordinates the Washington First Responder Wills Clinic which offers free wills, healthcare directives, community property agreements, and general durable powers of attorney to Washington's first responders and their spouses.The First Responder Will Clinic program is always looking for volunteer attorneys and support staff to help out at the clinics, as well as donations of paper, printer ink, and used printers. If you would like to get involved, please contact Sarah Ondrak at ondraks@gmail.com. |