AMERICORPS JD PROGRAM- New York State Family Security Project

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Job location
331 East 70th Street
New York, NY 10021
United States
Organization information
Organization name: 
Lenox Hill Neighborhood House
Street address: 
331 East 70th Street
City: 
New York
State: 
New York
ZIP: 
10021
Job type: 
Other
Position Description: 

AGENCY DESCRIPTION: Lenox Hill Neighborhood House, widely recognized as one of New York’s premier human services providers, is a 123-year-old settlement house that provides an extensive array of effective and integrated services--social, educational, legal, health, housing, mental health, nutritional and fitness--which significantly improve the lives of 15,000 people in need each year, ages 3 to 103, on the East Side of Manhattan. Our clients include older adults, homeless and formerly homeless adults, children and families, recent immigrants, persons with disabilities, adult learners and thousands more.

POSITION SUMMARY: The New York State Family Security Project will engage 106 law students to serve as AmeriCorps members around the state of New York who are focused on fostering family security and community education through the delivery of high-quality legal services.

AmeriCorps JD: New York State Family Security Project: New York State Family Security Project law student members will improve family stability and community safety in the state of New York through direct immigration legal services or by providing general civil legal services to members of immigrant communities related to issues such as housing, public benefits, family law, and other areas of legal need. They may also support staff attorneys with representing clients in immigration court and before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS); screening, intake and preparing applications; providing brief legal advice and legal aid; educating the community on the impact of evolving immigration law and policy; and engaging pro bono attorneys to provide legal assistance to immigrants and their families.

Attitude and General Responsibilities
• Support program staff, your supervisor, and administrative staff in duties as appropriate and necessary.
• Consult with your supervisor if you have any ideas, issues, or concerns, offering analysis and solutions whenever possible.
• Practice sound health habits, including getting sufficient rest, to effectively perform the position requirements.
• Respect confidentiality of clients, staff, and other AmeriCorps members.

Program leadership
• Make connections with individuals and volunteers in the community for program outreach and program enhancement.
• Assist AmeriCorps members and staff in programming and activities
• Train and assist volunteers when appropriate.

Program-specific duties
Law student members will gain experience conducting client interviews and intakes, helping clients secure government benefits and other income supports, researching relevant legal issues, drafting documents, and assisting attorneys with active housing, health care and government benefit matters in court and other forums. Members will attend trainings and participate in workshops.

Citizenship training and responsibilities
• Participate in AmeriCorps training and national service events as required and requested by the New York State Commission on National and Community Service

Program training
• Participate in orientation training.
• Participate in substantive legal issue training as provided by Equal Justice Works

Requirements: 

Skill requirements: Applicants should have a demonstrated commitment to public interest issues and an understanding and sensitivity to the needs of our clients; excellent communication and analytical skills are required. Spanish proficiency is a plus.

Program Benefits: The New York State Family Security Project AmeriCorps JD program is an AmeriCorps-funded program that provides law students with the opportunity to earn an AmeriCorps education award of $1,252 that can be used to pay educational expenses or student loans. Students may seek up to $4,399 in additional compensation for their service, for a total of up to $5,651 in compensation. The $4,399 in additional compensation may be funded by a Federal Work Study Award, the student’s law school, local bar foundation, and/or other public interest fellowship award. In addition, students are welcome to hold outside employment to supplement their income.

Students must complete 300 hours of service and complete these hours by September 1, 2018 unless prior approval is given by Equal Justice Works. Requirements to serve include completion of a National Sex Offender Public Registry check, state criminal background check(s), FBI Fingerprint criminal background check, and submission of proof of U.S. citizenship or legal permanent residency.

LOCATIONS: New York, New York

To apply: 

TO APPLY: Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and list of references to [email protected]. Apply for the AmeriCorps JD program through our Student Application Manager. More information is available at http://www.equaljusticeworks.org/americorpsjd.Once you have secured an AmeriCorps JD service placement, apply to be enrolled in the AmeriCorps JD program through our Student Application Manager. More information is available at http://www.equaljusticeworks.org/americorpsjd.

Notes: 
Equal Opportunity Employer