The Yale Undergraduate Legal Aid Association (YULAA) is a campus…
Our Mission:
The Yale Undergraduate Legal Aid Association (YULAA) is a Yale College student organization which broadly speaking promotes human rights through legal empowerment on and off campus. Members work with various legal aid organizations and advocacy groups in the greater New Haven area throughout the semester. YULAA also invites speakers to campus who offer direct, practical insight into the criminal justice system, the immigration crisis, and refugee resettlement, among other topics. In addition, YULAA hosts various advocacy events like letter-writing campaigns; membership events such as initiation, study breaks, and movie nights; and pre-law events like our recent LSAT strategy session.
Our Activities:
Interpretation and Translation Services (Language skills preferred) CLS
Direct Service
Volunteers in this project will provide different levels of interpretation and translation services. Connecticut Legal Services (CLS) provides access to justice and protects the civil legal rights of low-income individuals through representation, advocacy, advice, and collaboration. CLS’s immigration project works directly with unaccompanied minors who have faced abandonment, abuse, or neglect by one or more of their parents. Bilingual or multilingual YULAA volunteers will support CLS attorneys with direct client services by facilitating communication between their attorneys and clients that they work with who have limited English language proficiency. Volunteers will translate important documents like birth certificates and court orders. Volunteers will also translate immigration forms during client-attorney meetings to ensure clients properly understand these forms and documents.
Legal Aid Partnerships with Non-Profits in the Greater New Haven Region
Direct Service
We have partnerships with Women Against Mass Incarceration, Connecticut Veterans Legal Center (CVLC), Peer Defense Project, The Rowan Center, Victims Rights Center of Connecticut (VRCCT), Feinstein Education Law Group, Esperanza Law, Connecticut Legal Services, Prudence Crandall Center, Apostle Immigrant Services, Neighborhood Housing Services, Resource Access Mapping Project (RAMP), The Center for Empowerment and Education, Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, Youth Represent, Defying Legal Gravity, Statewide Legal Services, and Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center (CPAC).
We pair volunteers (who have to fill out an application) with each non-profit to do legal-related work with the organization. Some help with social media, some help read court files, some do research on laws and policies.
Youth Organization Outreach
Direct Service
The Peer Defense Project (PDP) works to link legal professionals with youth and provide these future leaders with legal tools, education, and other resources. YULAA volunteers will work to create a list of youth organizations not currently in the PDP network and collect the social media/email contact information of each of them. They will also work to draft and write outreach emails to each one inviting them to join the PDP network. PDP also requests a priority focus on outreach to youth organizations that advocate for gun safety and restrictions.
Know-Your-Rights Guides
Direct Service
The Peer Defense Project (PDP) works to link legal professionals with youth and provide these future leaders with legal tools, education, and other resources. YULAA volunteers will work to support the PDP by creating a Google Drive folder and compiling a list of know-your-rights guides that are by or for youth in order to add to PDP’s existing collection of such guides (see their website). Volunteers will also be responsible for dividing the guides into four categories: schools, police and prisons, discrimination, and democracy.
Advocacy and Outreach Hotline Project
Direct Service
The Rowan Center is a Crisis Center and Sexual Assault Resource Agency that does important work through advocacy, education, and prevention. The Rowan Center’s 24/7 Hotline has extensive resources for recovery, with many anonymous options and subsequent forms of help that are unknown to victims of sexual assault. YULAA volunteers would advocate for the Rowan Center’s 24/7 Hotline, reach out to applicable Connecticut inhabitants, and share resources. Volunteers’ work would expand the ways in which the Rowan Center can counsel victims and educate communities.
Information Session
Direct Service
Provided Information about the club to potential new members. Open to all Yale students, pizza was offered.
Defying Legal Gravity
Direct Service
Defying Legal Gravity works to provide legal education programs, especially to justice-impacted communities, low-income areas, and communities of color. YULAA volunteers would be developing engaging legal education programming for Defying Legal Gravity’s student clients and impacted audience. Volunteers would be responsible for creating lesson plans for students and developing resources for them. Volunteers will learn how to teach the law and internally interact with Defying Legal Gravity.
VRCCT Intake and Referrals Project
Direct Service
Volunteers will be trained on how to manage intakes and referrals. The Victim Rights Center of Connecticut (VRCCT) serves the needs of victims of violent crime through independent legal counsel to protect the legal rights and best interests of victims. Many victims across CT contact VRCCT with numerous issues and experiences. Volunteers will be trained by VRCCT on how to manage these calls and directly conduct intake meetings with their clients to assess the services and steps necessary moving forward. Volunteers will refer clients to legal services after receiving more information about a victim’s case. These volunteers will also be able to help complete legal referral forms to legal aid organizations as well as for victim compensation. Members of this team are invited to attend any of our in-house training and can choose to shadow attorneys at criminal or civil proceedings when available. Members of this team are encouraged to attend our weekly Case Conference meetings if/when their class schedules allow so they can shadow the team's work to better familiarize themselves with our legal work as well as to expound upon intakes/referrals they have completed. Volunteers will also reach out to nonprofit organizations and various community resources to find donations of laptops for intern work.
The Center for Empowerment and Education
Direct Service
The Center for Empowerment and Education (CEE) works to break the cycle of interpersonal violence through empowerment, education, and client-centered support services. CEE works with CCADV (Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence) to provide a pro bono restraining order (PBRO) program in the Danbury catchment area. The PBRO project provides victim-survivors of domestic violence with limited scope pro bono representation at temporary restraining order hearings. CEE is looking for YULAA volunteers to reach out to attorneys practicing in Connecticut in an effort to educate the legal community about this unique opportunity to engage in limited-scope representation by encouraging them to join the PBRO project. YULAA volunteers are also asked to be the community outreach focal point letting survivors know the options and resources available to victim survivors of domestic violence. This will include driving to one of CCADV’s four locations once every month to conduct in-person outreach (which will take the place of your virtual outreach for that week). In-person volunteers will be able to utilize Dwight Hall car services for transportation if they lack access to a car.
AIS Form Translation Project
Direct Service
Apostle Immigrant Services (AIS) works with immigrants in the greater New Haven area by helping them attain their goals such as achieving US citizenship, gaining work authorization, uniting with family members, becoming legal residents, and improving educational skills. YULAA volunteers will translate AIS client-facing forms and informational materials into the relevant language. Volunteers will interact with grant information, lists of necessary eligibility documents, and letters for people approved for legal permanent residences. Volunteers will have the opportunity to do interpretation in person and via phone.
Case Development Project
Direct Service
Apostle Immigrant Services (AIS) works with immigrants in the greater New Haven area by helping them attain their goals such as achieving US citizenship, gaining work authorization, uniting with family members, becoming legal residents, and improving educational skills. YULAA volunteers will work with attorneys and accredited AIS representatives to prepare the documentation needed for filing court and agency (USCIS) applications. Work can include: meeting with clients to obtain information, translation, document organization, and form drafting.
Immigrant (Youth) Welcome Packet
Direct Service
YULAA volunteers will be responsible for developing a welcome packet for immigrants and immigrant youth. The packet will include different resources and services available in the U.S. that may be difficult to find for an individual who has never been in the U.S. and will be developed for Connecticut Legal Services (CLS). CLS works to provide access to justice and protect the civil legal rights of low-income families and individuals through advocacy, legal representation, advice, and education. In the welcome packet they will be writing, volunteers will likely include how to access food pantries, how the U.S. public transit system and libraries work, etc. Volunteers will also create easily comprehensible community outreach materials that explain Special Immigrant Juvenile Status eligibility to ensure unaccompanied minors can obtain the services they need.
Immigration Clinics Project (Language Skills Preferred)
Direct Service
Volunteers will help organize legal clinics for local high school students seeking forms of immigration relief, such as Asylum, U Visas, T Visas, and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS). Esperanza Law provides legal representation in a wide range of immigration law matters. Volunteers will gain insight into what makes people eligible for certain forms of immigration status. Volunteers will help conduct outreach to local schools and coordinate logistics before and on the day of the clinic, such as managing sign-up sheets, conducting pre-screening, and assisting attorneys in conducting legal screenings, where necessary. Volunteers may be asked to provide interpretation services for attorneys from other firms. Volunteers may create one-page materials summarizing information provided at clinics and orientations about forms of immigration status and "Know Your Rights." Members will gain experience in community organizing (from a legal perspective), learn about the immigration system and common forms of relief available to youth, as well as strengthen collaboration and communication skills.
Securing Access to Justice: A Conversation with Department of Justice ATJ Director Rachel Rossi
Advocacy, or Activism
Rachel Rossi will speak to us about her work in the DOJ.
Legislative Advocacy Project
Advocacy, or Activism
YULAA volunteers will work to support WAMI in building out the Primary Caretakers Bill for the next legislative session. The bill aims to produce alternatives to incarceration for primary caretakers of family members (i.e., children, ailing spouses, aging parents, and others) through community-based programs. YULAA volunteers will first work on revamping this bill that has been passed in Tennessee and Washington to fit the needs of justice-impacted primary caretakers in Connecticut through legislative research and bill-writing workshops. After working on legislative language and research, YULAA volunteers will work with WAMI to build momentum to get the bill passed and mobilize support — including trips to Connecticut’s capital.
Youth Peer Court (YPC) Project
Advocacy, or Activism
YULAA will help WAMI launch the WAMI Youth Peer Court, a restorative justice alternative to the traditional juvenile court system. Volunteers aid in finalizing the Youth Peer Court model, will develop the Youth Peer Court Training Manual, and work with Bridgeport high schools to receive referrals and student volunteers for the court.
Court Watch Project
Advocacy, or Activism
YULAA volunteers will help WAMI resume Court Watch and Participatory Defense programs at the New Haven State Courthouse. Volunteers will attend court sessions where they will observe, take notes, and connect with justice-impacted women in order to help them navigate the legal system and provide advocacy.
WAMI App Project
Advocacy, or Activism
Women Against Mass Incarceration works to help and support justice-impacted women and individuals. YULAA volunteers will work to develop labor trafficking apps, public defender apps, etc. Volunteers would either be responsible for improving previous WAMI apps or helping to develop new ones. The position does not involve coding/technical skills; it will solely be focused on conducting legal research and completing administrative tasks.
Women Living with Violent Convictions (WLVC) Project
Advocacy, or Activism
YULAA volunteers will work on WAMI's WLVC campaign to gather data and propose legislation to eliminate barriers for women living with violent convictions. Justice-impacted women are disproportionately affected by inaccessibility to resources. This campaign works to bring the plight of women living with violent convictions to light while working to eliminate these barriers by building a coalition to produce concrete legislative solutions. YULAA volunteers will work on building out this coalition with existing members and identify legislative gaps through legal research. Volunteers will also help turn the WLVC registries directory spreadsheet into a publicly accessible website that gives people access to information on violent conviction registries and laws in their state and organizations that can help them.
YULAA Initiation
Advocacy, or Activism
Scavenger hunt for all new members. Pizza will be provided and open to all people who want to join the club.
Career Workshop
Advocacy, or Activism
Collaborating with the Office of Career Strategies to help club members in their path to finding Summer internships. All Yale students are invited.
Connecticut Legal Services and the Critical Importance of Legal Aid
Advocacy, or Activism
Speaker event with attorneys Jeffrey Plotkin and Madline Anderson. They will speak on their experience working at Connecticut Legal Services and provide career advice. Food will be provided.
Prep for Pre-Law: Resumes and Cover Letters w/ Office of Career Strategy and YULJ
Advocacy, or Activism
Workshop with the office of Career Strategies to give pointers and advice on how to improve their resume.
Law School Application Essay Writing Workshop w/ The Princeton Review
Advocacy, or Activism
Law school application workshop with the Princeton Review. Advisors will give advice to students on how to apply to law school.
Elena's Light and Refugee Advocacy in CT
Advocacy, or Activism
Speaker event with Fereshteh Ganjavi who will talk about their work with Elena's Light Program. Food will be provided for all attendees.
Connecticut Hispanic Bar Association and Legal Aid
Advocacy, or Activism
Speaker event where attorneys Daniela Rodriguez and Enelsa Diaz will speak about their careers in legal aid. Food will be provided.
Holiday Party
Advocacy, or Activism
Celebration and get together for all who are passionate about legal aid before the end of the semester.
LSAT Book Library
Advocacy, or Activism
The Princeton Review has lended YULAA LSAT books for our members to use so that people passionate in legal aid are able to have study materials needed to score well on the LSAT.
Intellectual Property Rights and Global Health Law with YLS Professor Amy Kapczynski
Advocacy, or Activism
This is a speaker event with Amy Kapczynski who will speak to us about Global Health Law.
International Human Rights Law with Kristine Beckerle
Advocacy, or Activism
Kristine Beckerle will speak to us about human rights law.
YULAA Project Symposium
Advocacy, or Activism
All of the projects will present on their progress throughout the year.
Education Panel: The Future of Education Law and Policy
Advocacy, or Activism
We will have speakers Andrew Feinstein, Judge Garkinel, Dana Jonson, and Eleanor Schiff come speak to us ab out Education Law and Policy.
A conversation with Yale Law Professor Miriam Gohara about criminal defense and postconviction work
Advocacy, or Activism
This is a speaker event with someone from the Law School.
Law, Sociology, and Race with Professor Monica Bell
Advocacy, or Activism
We will have guest speaker Monica Bell come speak to us about her area of expertise.
Civil Rights Litigation with Elana Bildner, Senior Staff Anttorney at the ACLU of Connecticut
Advocacy, or Activism
We will have Elana Bildner speak to us about her job at the ACLU.
Criminal Justice Panel
Advocacy, or Activism
We will have speakers come talk to us about criminal justice reform, we still need speakers for this event.
The Rights of Nature with Daniel Bonila
Advocacy, or Activism
We will have Daniel Bonila come speak to us about about their area of expertise.
DEI Project
Research & Public Policy Analysis
The Prudence Crandall Center (PCC) offers a full spectrum of shelter, housing, and support services to victims of domestic violence, their children, and other impacted community members to create practical, long-term solutions that victims and survivors face. YULAA volunteers will collect articles, organize literature, and spearhead inclusion efforts for Prudence Crandall’s programs. Volunteers will organize surveys, gather feedback to increase survey samples and meet with PCC's Chief Operations Officer and Senior Director.
VRCCT Legal Information and Referrals Assistant
Research & Public Policy Analysis
YULAA volunteers will help with research on a myriad of legal information and referrals in order to help victims of sexual assault and domestic violence from other states find legal representation in their cases. The Victim Rights Center of Connecticut (VRCCT) serves the needs of victims of violent crime through independent legal counsel to protect the legal rights and best interests of victims. Many people across the country contact VRCCT with different criminal cases, but VRCCT can only help with cases in CT, so the volunteers would research attorneys covering their towns/countries and refer victims to these resources. For example, VRCCT was recently contacted by a colleague about someone looking for an attorney who can help them in a criminal case in a tribal county in CT. However, VRCCT did not have any contacts for a tribal attorney nor an understanding of why tribal law is different than the jurisdiction of the rest of the towns/cities in CT. Volunteers will provide these kinds of legal information, options, and referrals in order to explore and research different options for people who contact VRCCT in search of legal services.
Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS)
Research & Public Policy Analysis
YULAA volunteers will review YULAA’s 2022 research conducted on redlining and its lasting effects on New Haven and the Neighborhood Housing Services’ impact on the New Haven community. Volunteers will work to present this material and other types of literature on the NHS website, at a Monthly Lunch and Learn, and at NXTHVN, a New Haven art space. Volunteers will present the research at NXTHVN by gathering images, maps, and data about redlining that highlight the inequalities that are still occurring. Volunteers will also design and create a work plan for an Aging in Place Program, which offers free/low-cost modifications to homes to make them more elderly-friendly, so elders can stay in their homes longer. Volunteers will find examples of modifications that can be made, research past success stories of certain modifications, and create advertising materials. Volunteers will also research childhood lead poisoning in New Haven and the city’s current measures in place to address it. Volunteers will create educational materials in order to bring awareness to childhood lead poisoning and refer people to preventative resources. NHS Staff will work with YULAA volunteers to align their interests with the proposed projects and allocate the first three weeks to developing SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound) goals.
Resource Software Project
Research & Public Policy Analysis
New Haven, despite its abundance of resources, faces challenges in providing access to these resources for many members of its community. This issue is particularly pronounced for refugees, asylum seekers, undocumented immigrants, and individuals returning to their communities after incarceration. The Resource Access Mapping Project (RAMP) aims to bridge this information gap by collaborating with CT-211, a free information and referral program supported by the State of Connecticut. As a volunteer on this project, you will work directly with CT-211. Your responsibilities will include making calls to community-based organizations, assisting in research initiatives, reviewing and updating existing resource content, and participating in site visits to New Haven agencies. If you are seeking a meaningful and flexible volunteer opportunity, and you want to connect New Haven residents to essential services through an innovative, award-winning project, we invite you to join RAMP!
VRCCT Fact Sheets and Legal Resources Project
Research & Public Policy Analysis
Volunteers will prepare fact sheets and update legal resources. The Victim Rights Center of Connecticut (VRCCT) serves the needs of victims of violent crime through independent legal counsel to protect the legal rights and best interests of victims. Volunteers will research legal processes that these victims have to undergo in order to prepare fact sheets that explain these processes in simple terms. VRCCT will provide volunteers with documents that explain the processes to file for civil protection orders and temporary restraining orders, make police reports, file Title IX reports, and other processes. Volunteers will create basic fact sheets about these documents using plain language that can be easily comprehended by victims and community members. Volunteers will also research and update state legal resource documents. Members of this team are invited to attend any of our in-house training and can choose to shadow attorneys at criminal or civil proceedings when available. Members of this team are encouraged to attend our weekly Case Conference meetings when their class schedules allow so they can shadow the team's work to better familiarize themselves with our legal work.
Nonprofit Governance Research
Research & Public Policy Analysis
The VLA of Massachusetts supports the arts community and small businesses by providing access to dedicated legal representation and focused education programs. YULAA volunteers will be working to explore business models that encourage diverse and inclusive participation in nonprofit boards as well as extend nonprofit governance authority to more workers. They will be examining the lack of representation of certain groups (including young and BIPOC people) in nonprofit boards and how nonprofits’ employees tend to have little to no say in leadership/governance matters.
Referral Network Mapping and Outreach
Research & Public Policy Analysis
Youth Represent works with court-involved New York City youth by offering legal support and providing legal resources. YULAA volunteers will help to expand Youth Represent’s comprehensive referral network by mapping out and identifying organizations and resources in the communities where their clients live. Volunteers will be given an outreach toolkit with a questionnaire guide to assess services, document the referral process, and identify a main contact to build out a working relationship with our legal team. YULAA volunteers will also assist in the evaluation of service providers to assess their effectiveness and reliability in meeting the needs of our youth.
Data Collection on Housing Services
Research & Public Policy Analysis
Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut (SLS) comprises dedicated and experienced advocates committed to offering free legal advice to eligible low-income individuals in Connecticut. Volunteers from YULAA will collaborate with SLS to gather and assess data pertinent to the efficacy of advice and limited services rendered to callers facing eviction. Specifically, volunteers will track the outcomes of eviction defense cases by consulting docket information on the Connecticut judicial website. The analysis will focus on determining whether families can remain in their homes following the eviction case and, if not, the duration they are granted to transition to new housing.
VRCCT Pro-bono Attorneys Outreach Project
Research & Public Policy Analysis
Volunteers will synthesize a directory of attorneys. The Victim Rights Center of Connecticut (VRCCT) serves the needs of victims of violent crime through independent legal counsel to protect the legal rights and best interests of victims. Volunteers would acquire a list of attorneys willing to provide legal representation for VRCCT’s clients on a pro-bono or low-bono basis. Members of this project would build relationships with attorneys and learn more about services and resources surrounding family law and civil protection orders. These team members would also form networks with personal injury attorneys who specialize in or are willing to work with clients who wish to sue offenders of SA STK DV for damages in civil court including employment. Members of this team are invited to attend any of our in-house training and can choose to shadow attorneys at criminal or civil proceedings when available.
Immigration Research Project
Research & Public Policy Analysis
YULAA volunteers will perform country conditions research for an asylum case. Connecticut Legal Services (CLS) provides access to justice and protects the civil legal rights of low-income individuals through representation, advocacy, advice, and collaboration. CLS’s immigration services often require legal, policy, and historical research and context. Volunteers will research country conditions for a pending asylum case with a hearing next year for a client from Cameroon in order to support and find evidence for their case. This project will allow volunteers to gain knowledge about legal aid services for immigrants and influence CLS’s current legal law processes.
CT Law Enforcement in Schools Research Project
Research & Public Policy Analysis
The Feinstein Law Group provides services and resources for parents of children with disabilities and helps them navigate the law. YULAA volunteers will analyze the relationship between schools, school resource officers, and police stations in CT as well as the impact of law enforcement in schools. They will be responsible for compiling data on school-based arrests in Connecticut as well as police department information. Volunteers will also interview superintendents in CT who are impacted by School Resource Officers, as well as research education boards from diverse towns and districts.
VRCCT Assistance with Legislative Agenda Suggestions
Research & Public Policy Analysis
A volunteer will compile legislative agenda suggestions to address inequalities and unfair policies to victims in criminal court. The Victim Rights Center of Connecticut (VRCCT) serves the needs of victims of violent crime through independent legal counsel to protect the legal rights and best interests of victims. This volunteer will research laws that impact victims in court that need to be corrected. For instance, perpetrators have carte blanche access to the victim’s mental health records, so the volunteer may research more information about this policy and suggest how it may be corrected. The volunteer may also research the abatement doctrine, which dismisses a case when the defendant dies, causing the crime/assault to be treated as if it never occurred and there is no record of it. Additionally, juvenile courts don't allow victims to make a victim impact statement unless the offender has admitted guilt, so the volunteer may research and suggest how it can be properly corrected. Overall, the volunteer will research and assist with legislative agenda suggestions to address different inequalities that negatively impact victims in criminal court. Members of this team are invited to attend any of our in-house training and can choose to shadow attorneys at criminal or civil proceedings when available.
Housing Voucher Literature Review
Research & Public Policy Analysis
YULAA volunteers will research veteran recovery resources centered around housing. The Connecticut Veterans Legal Center (CVLC) is a recovery-focused organization that provides legal representation and assistance for veterans to overcome legal barriers to housing, healthcare, and income. Volunteers would research the monetary impact and application of housing vouchers as they interact with the CVLC’s work. The project would include a research literature review which will help with CVLC’s future client interactions and analyze their impact surrounding housing resources. Volunteers will research current housing voucher values and eligibility policies for unhoused veterans. Volunteers will also routinely meet with CVLC to learn about their assistance services and client interaction.
Homelessness Program and Definition Literature Review
Research & Public Policy Analysis
YULAA volunteers will research programs surrounding homelessness among veterans and how these programs fit together with CVLC’s clients. The Connecticut Veterans Legal Center (CVLC) is a recovery-focused organization that provides legal representation and assistance for veterans to overcome legal barriers to housing, healthcare, and income. Volunteers will expand their knowledge of homelessness and the eligibility requirements for various homelessness assistance programs. Volunteers will also routinely meet with CVLC to learn about how the definition of homelessness varies across veterans and how to find eligible programs. Volunteers will complete a final literature review of all of the eligibility requirements across programs that support unhoused veterans on a national, statewide, and local level in order to determine forms of relief and assistance for those experiencing diverse experiences of homelessness and housing insecurity.
CT Supreme Court Education and Outreach Campaign Project
Research & Public Policy Analysis
The Rowan Center is a Crisis Center and Sexual Assault Resource Agency that does important work through advocacy, education, and prevention. YULAA volunteers would research audiences impacted by the Connecticut Supreme Court’s June 23rd ruling surrounding rape and defamation. Volunteers would reach out to impacted demographics, such as college campuses, through educational means. Volunteers will work with the Rowan Center, expand sexual assault resources, expand the center’s impact on Connecticut schools and counties, and learn more about the Rowan Center’s education curriculum.
Social Media Outreach Project
Research & Public Policy Analysis
Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center (CPAC) is a statewide nonprofit organization that offers information and support to families of children with disabilities and chronic illnesses. CPAC educates, advocates, and empowers diverse families of children and youth with disabilities and chronic conditions at federal, state, and local levels to help remove barriers to appropriate support and services. YULAA volunteers will reach out to CPAC’s Pre-K Path app, Sparkler. In collaboration with the CPAC Youth Advisory Board, Volunteers will research grants involved with the Pre-K Path program and help develop the app. Volunteers will create a list of organizations for outreach purposes, including early childhood and faith-based organizations in New Haven. Volunteers will promote the app through outreach develop materials, and provide information to family recipients