Incoming 1L Public Service Project

Touro Law Center is committed to academic excellence, social justice, and community service. This commitment is deeply rooted in the moral and ethical obligations of the legal profession. In the 1980’s, Touro created one of the first mandatory Pro Bono/Public Service requirements in the country. An emphasis on community service has been woven into the fabric of Touro’s mission and daily activities, and this commitment begins with Touro’s administration and faculty – many of whom are also leaders in the public interest field because of their past work as members of legal aid or legal services programs or their current pro bono activities.

It is for these reasons that Touro invites all incoming students to voluntarily participate in TLC – Touro Law Cares. On Sunday, August 16, 2009, we will host a community service project after the formal Orientation program that day.

Project

Our project this year is historic preservation work with the Central Islip Civic Council. In 1996, the Central Islip Civil Council purchased 2 historic homes and 4½ acres of land on Wheeler Road. The property has lovely trees, gardens, and a blacksmith shop that belonged to Henry Heines, the Central Islip’s village blacksmith from 1903 until 1977. The Council has also built a replica of Central Islip’s first one-room schoolhouse (1861) on the property. The historic Heines Homestead is a living history exhibit and a showpiece for our community. The Council can use help with historic preservation work, specifically painting and assisting with the restoration of historic buildings (over 100 years old) that once stood at the Central Islip State Hospital. These buildings are used now for a “Step Back in Time” program where special tours for schoolchildren from pre-kindergarten to 6th grade are held. On this property the Civil Council provides many services to our neighbors in Central Islip including a food pantry, foreclosure counseling and community organizing. In addition to the work described above, the Civic Council has asked us to assist in similar work at other locations within the Central Islip community. These efforts will also involve restoration work in other locations such as houses abandoned or empty due to foreclosure.

This is hands-on-work. Our project will involve physical labor (teams may be involved in site clearance, painting, plantings in a community garden, etc.) as part of an effort to contribute to neighborhood revitalization in partnership with the community. No previous experience is necessary. The Council will provide work gloves, all tools, paint and water. Come dressed in clothes you don’t mind getting dirty and that are comfortable. Wear long pants.

We look forward to seeing you for this great project!