DePaul University 1L law student Brad Morley, left, joins faculty member Martha Pagliari, and fellow students Latiera Rayford and Paras Aneja (clockwise from left) as they sort spaghetti squash at the Howard Area Community Center in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood. (DePaul University/Jamie Moncrief)DePaul’s College of Law held its fifth annual 1L Service Day
on August 19, 2016. This year, more than 100 volunteers participated, including
incoming students, second- and third-year students, and faculty and staff, as
well as Dean Jennifer Rosato Perea.
Volunteers chose between seven service sites throughout the
city to visit and assist persons in need: Pacific Garden Mission, Cornerstone
Community Outreach, Marillac House, Legal Prep Charter Academy, Catholic Charities
Madonna House, Catholic Charities St. Vincent de Paul Residence, and Howard
Area Community Center. Among their responsibilities were making beds and
serving meals at homeless shelters, preparing classrooms for the upcoming
school year, and interacting with senior citizens.
During the event, College of Law Chaplain Tom Judge
encouraged participants to share what motivates them to serve. Some felt that
“it’s a good way to meet and connect with new students,” while others agreed
that “it is part of how I live out my faith.” By taking part in 1L Service Day,
participants were able to accomplish these and other goals, in addition to
exploring different communities in Chicago and aiding others.
The Pro Bono & Community Service Initiative and
University Ministry in the Loop organize the annual event with support from the
Center for Public Interest Law.