The law is a service profession and lawyers contribute to their communities in many ways beyond the practice of law through their leadership and volunteerism. While many law students participate in CLP’s law-related Pro Bono Projects, we encourage students to also explore non-law related community volunteer opportunities.  CLP can connect students with a broad range of community volunteerism, including these highlighted opportunities:

Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Johnson County

Community-based mentors and youth are matched and supported in 1-to-1 caring relationships, meeting regularly for fun activities in the community.  BBBS also organizes free, fun events every month for our matches. They’ll use your interests and personalities to ensure a good match. They are especially in need of male volunteers at this time.
Requirements:

  • Must have reliable access to a vehicle 
  • 18-month time-commitment
  • Meet a minimum of 6 hours per month with your Little [these requirements are flexible during the pandemic, and can include virtual meetings]
  • Must be a reliable and responsive communicator

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Johnson County conducts a thorough background check on every volunteer in our program, and every relationship is closely monitored and supported by a professionally trained mentoring specialist.

 Visit the BBBS website to start the application process: https://www.bbbsjc.org/get-involved/become-a-big/ or email program specialist Dina Bishara (dina@bbbsjc.org) with any questions about mentoring during the pandemic.

CommUnity (Formerly The Crisis Center)

A crisis can be anything – problems with family or friends, lack of food, financial emergency, divorce, serious illness, roommate trouble, school-related stress, substance abuse struggles, suicidal feelings… the list is endless. Or it could be a series of small problems that together have become overwhelming. CommUnity provides immediate support through our Crisis Services, Food Bank, and Basic Needs programs.

CommUnity is seeking volunteers for several opportuntites. Apply and learn more on their website: https://builtbycommunity.org/volunteer/

Table to Table

Table to Table keeps wholesome, edible food from going to waste by collecting it from donors and distributing to those in need through agencies that serve the hungry, homeless and at-risk populations. They are seeking volunteers to assist prepping food rescue vehicles and driving food rescue routes. Learn more on their website: https://table2table.org/volunteers/

Grow: Johnson County

Grow: Johnson County improves healthy food access through charitable food production. It is seeking volunteers to help assist on its farm site. Learn more on their website: https://www.growjohnsoncounty.org/volunteer

Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law: Election Protection

The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and its coalition partners seek legal volunteers (including law students!) to remotely serve as Captains for the Election Protection’s English language national voter hotline (1-866-OUR-VOTE). The national, nonpartisan Election Protection coalition works year-round to ensure that all voters have an equal opportunity to vote and have that vote count. The hotline is answered by remote trained legal volunteers daily who are supported by Captains through hotline platform’s chat function. Over 1,200 Captains shifts must be filled August-October.  These experienced Captains will then also assist during the November 3 election.

As part of Captain training, volunteers will need to serve as hotline volunteers three times (if they have not done so in 2020).  Some volunteer hotline shifts for August-September have been set aside for this purpose (i.e. others cannot sign up for them.)  In addition, Captains will complete a 2-hour on-demand training and be supported during their first Captain shifts by call center leads.   Written guides will also be provided.  Overall commitment: Serve as captains for at least 2-3 shifts in September-October and 1+ shift on November 2 and 3. The Captain role is critical for the success of the national voter hotline. Sign up to play this leadership role!

  • What: Serve as Captains for the national voter hotline
  • Who: Lawyers, paralegals, legal assistants and law students
  • When: Now through November; sign up for specific shifts once trained
  • How: Online platform; computer with internet plus headphones needed
  • Training: Available on-demand (around 2 hours).  You sign up for this on We the Action and will be sent the link via an email from WTA. (Please check your spam folder.)
  • Volunteer Code of Conduct: Volunteers must “virtually agree” to Code of Conduct: https://forms.gle/EAq8AsM39DA5MeeY9
  • How to Volunteer: Please complete the hotline experience form via the link below. We will be in touch with next steps depending on your experience. https://forms.gle/1gqNBRfh6ffyud8K7