Posted October 15, 2010
Law school serves Norris Square community
Temple Law faculty, staff and students worked side by side at the school's annual day of service.
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The intensity of law school can shrink a student’s world to school, homework and sleep. Yet, those seeking a career in the law must consider another responsibility that is central to the profession: investing in the communities they serve.
That’s why, for the past two years, the Temple University Beasley School of Law has volunteered at the St. Boniface church complex in Norris Square, about a mile from Temple’s Main Campus. The annual day of service is one of several community outreach projects run by the law school.
“I think it’s really important for us to come out and extend ourselves to some of our neighbors,” said Dean JoAnne Epps. “Law tends to be an isolating profession, and the fact that we can leave our building and do something that’s different and that uses a different part of our skills and strengths is important for us.”
This year’s service concentrated on painting the former St. Boniface rectory, which will soon house the offices of the Norris Square Civic Association. In addition to painting, law school volunteers planted mums and weeded gardens; painted park benches and collected food donations.
School officials hope the service outing instills in the students a sense of stewardship that will continue throughout their careers in the form of pro bono service and other contributions.
“No matter what type of legal career you pursue, service helps you get to know, feel part of and become invested in your community,” said Maureen Olives, director of public interest programs at the law school. “It’s important to start practicing this type of investment as a student, so that you can connect to your community in a meaningful way.”
Andrea Monroe, an assistant professor at the law school who specializes in taxation, spent her time at St. Boniface this year and last weeding the grounds.
“I think it’s important for all of us to do this,” she said. “We’re all really lucky to have what we have and it’s important for us to be involved in the community.”
The students agreed.
“Law students especially have a lot of opportunities that others don’t have, and it’s important to give back,” said second-year student Ashley Henderson.
The school-wide service project has been made possible thanks to the work of Professor Jane Baron, who has been teaching at Temple Law for 25 years, and her husband, Dr. Richard Baron. Supplies and additional support were contributed to the project by Temple's Office of Facilities Management.