For the seventh consecutive year, orientation for first-year law students included a day of service at nonprofit organizations throughout the region.
Incoming Elon University School of Law students assisted with arts instruction, gardening projects, animal aid, outdoor painting and cleaning, warehouse sorting and inventory projects at thirteen nonprofit organizations.
“When any person decides to dedicate themselves to such a high endeavor as that of an attorney, I suspect the opportunity to help others is a big part of that important decision,” said Aaron Davis L’16. “Serving a very worthy organization, like the Greensboro Urban Ministry, makes perfect sense toward kick starting our legal experience. Knowing that they work specifically with the people of our community is very fulfilling.”
Held on August 15, Elon Law Reaches Out community service day included student volunteerism at the following organizations:
- Center for Visual Arts
- Covecreek Gardens, a public teaching garden
- Goodwill Industries of Central North Carolina, Inc.
- Greensboro Urban Ministry, a homeless services organization
- Habitat for Humanity of Greater Greensboro’s ReStore shop
- Interactive Resource Center for homeless services
- Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation-Piedmont Triad Chapter
- LIFESPAN serving children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities
- NC Sports Connection
- Newcomer’s School serving recently arrived refugee and immigrant students
- Reading Connections adult literacy program
- Sanctuary House serving those with mental illnesses
- Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) of the Triad.
“We are so pleased that the Elon Law students chose to spend their afternoon volunteering with LIFESPAN,” said Emily Hoffman, Director of Development at LIFESPAN. “They built three raised garden beds that will be used for years to come by individuals with disabilities in LIFESPAN’s Horticulture class. The group was a lot of fun and made a big impact in a short amount of time.”
Elon Law Reaches Out is organized by the Pro Bono Board at Elon Law and is part of the law school community’s programming to cultivate lawyers who understand the service responsibilities of the legal profession.
“It felt good to do something that you know would have a positive effect on an individual or family,” said Gerard Truesdale L’16 who volunteered at Greensboro Urban Ministry. “You don’t really appreciate the things we consider imperative like food and water until you’re put in an environment where you can see that there are people out there who are not as fortunate as we are.”
“Lending a helping hand to Goodwill was very rewarding,” said Diamond Zephir L’16. “It was interesting to learn that they provide more than just clothing, but also services to those in need. They do great works at Goodwill and I am happy to have helped their team.”
Elon Law Reaches Out followed Elon’s official welcome of the Class of 2016 through an August 13 Convocation Ceremony.