NYU School of Law’s Alternative Spring Break Program

Est. 2006

NYU’s ASB program gives students the opportunity to intern at a public interest organization during their

Spring Break week. Participants gain hands-on pro bono experience, are exposed to pressing legal

issues, and are introduced to public interest practitioners. Participants are organized in groups for

each program site, so participants also enjoy the chance to bond with a diverse group of other NYU

law students.

OverviewOverview

Program Goals

Leverage NYU Law resources to serve communities across the nation.

Foster public service commitment among NYU Law students.

Build organizational ties to nonprofits across the country.

Create opportunities for public interest alumni to remain involved with the law school.

Promote NYU Law’s strong public interest reputation by dispatching student ambassadors across the

country.

History

In March 2006, NYU’s Law Students for Human Rights (LSHR) partnered with the Student Hurricane

Network to arrange a volunteer trip to the Gulf Coast. NYU trip participants served at 9 different

organizations in New Orleans, LA and Gulfport, MS. Participants assisted with varying relief and

rebuilding efforts, from advocating for voters’ rights to investigating allegations of police misconduct

following Hurricane Katrina. Students traveled in a couple of large groups and lived in FEMA tents, on

church floors, and on the coaches of gracious Tulane law students.

History

The March 2006 trip was so successful it attracted the attention of the law school student body, NYU’s Public Interest Law

Center (PILC), the law school administration, and NYU alumni. With help from PILC, LSHR secured funding from NYU to institutionalize an Alternative Spring Break program. The

program launched in 2006.

Funding and Administration

LSHR administers the ASB program. Specifically, LSHR’s two Domestic Service

Chairs are responsible for all aspects of program administration. The Domestic

Service Chairs are selected at the end of the preceding school year and are typically 2Ls. NYU provides funding for student travel and

accommodations. This money is held by PILC for the program to use.

ASB and LSHR ASB and LSHR

ASB promotes LSHR’s main goals to: PROMOTE global and domestic human rights

issues at NYU School of Law; ESTABLISH a forum for human rights-related

educational events, professional training, advocacy projects and direct action opportunities; BUILD a community for future human rights

practitioners.

Implementation- Summer

Domestic Service Chairs: Identify new sites and partner organizations;

reach out to alumni and public interest practitioners;

create the budget for the upcoming year’s program.

Implementation- Fall Semester

Domestic Service Chairs: Host an ASB information session;

Publicize the year’s program; Recruit and select two site leaders for each

site; Supervise site leaders as they solidify site details, including internship placements and

housing.

Implementation- Spring Semester, Pre-Spring Break

Domestic Service Chairs: Host a second information session;

Recruit program participants; Select program participants for each site,

with help from site leaders; Assist site leaders in preparing for trips;

Participate in ASB!

Implementation- Spring Semester, Post-Spring Break

Domestic Service Chairs: Act as the liaison between PILC and participants to facilitate reimbursement

process; Ensure all host organizations are thanked;

Administer participant surveys; Turn over position to next year’s Domestic Service Chairs, with suggestions for program

improvement.

ASB 2007- Overview

Thirty-six students completed over 1,000 hours of pro bono work.

Students volunteered for 15 different organizations in New Orleans, Miami, and the

Bronx. Each site had 12 students total, two of whom

were site leaders. Participants were substantially reimbursed for the

cost of their travel, lodging, and food.

ASB BronxASB Bronx

Students interned with the following organizations:

Committee Against Anti-Asian Violence Women’s Housing & Economic Development Corp. Legal Services for NYBronx DefendersNY State Division of Human Rights Legal Aid Juvenile Division

“Family Court is a zoo! Working with Legal Aid Juvenile Rights

Division was a great opportunity to understand what a family-law legal services job is really like.”

ASB MiamiASB Miami

Students interned with the following organizations:

Florida Immigrant Advocacy CenterLegal Services of Greater MiamiFlorida Legal ServicesMiami Workers CenterSt. Thomas Univ. Human Rights Center

“I am hoping to find an organization like FL Legal Services to work with after

graduation.  I can't say that when I signed up I expected my ASB trip to influence my

career path, but am glad it did!”

ASB New OrleansASB New Orleans

Students interned with the following organizations:

Worker’s Center for Racial Justice/ People’s Organizing CommitteeNew Orleans Public DefenderRed CrossSHN’s FEMA Trailer Survey & Mapping Project

“My positive experience with ASB made it more likely that I

will make pro bono commitments when I work at a firm.  I now realize the impact I

can make in just a week.”

ASB 2008- Goals

Increase total program slots from 36 participants (2007) to 56 participants (2008).

Expand New York site from 12 participants in the Bronx (2007) to 20 participants throughout

the City and Newark, New Jersey (2008). Add an additional site in Washington, DC.

Improve the quality of participants’ experiences by arranging logistical details earlier.

New Orleans, Miami, and D.C.

Disaster Relief Legislative Action

Immigrants’ Rights

New York City and Newark

Community Action

Criminal Justice

Thank you for your attention!

Do you have any questions?