MATCH MAKERS FOR JUSTICE ~ WORK WITH RESIDENTS TO HELP THEM REBUILD THEIR LIVES!-- Aug. 12th Application Deadline

Please forward this information and the attached project
description/application to any interested law students.  The application
deadline for the pilot project is this Saturday, August 12th.

Thank you,
Morgan Williams
Ph: 202.486.2776

MATCH MAKERS FOR JUSTICE ~ WORK WITH RESIDENTS TO HELP THEM REBUILD

THEIR LIVES!

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, many residents are still experiencing
difficulties in putting their lives back together.   Media attention has
not focused on the socio-economic and racial inequities of the
rebuilding process.  Aid is flowing into the region, but residents with
the greatest need face the greatest difficulties in accessing these
programs.  

Match Makers for Justice (M4J) is a pilot project designed to help
displaced residents help themselves by connecting residents with
training and a law student advocate to effectively navigate government
systems and gain access to quality jobs, education, health care, and
housing.   The M4J program will pair interested students with displaced
residents, host a training session in New Orleans and provide ongoing
support as students and residents work together to help resolve the
resident's post-Katrina challenges. For additional details about both
SHN and M4J, see studenthurricanenetwork.org or email
matchmakers4justice@gmail.com.

WHAT DOES MY COMMITMENT ENTAIL?

Simply put, each student is expected to: 1) articulate and document the
specific challenge(s) faced by the resident; 2) attend a training
session in New Orleans with their resident partner on Saturday,
September 2, 2006 ; and 3) help empower their resident to address
his/her ongoing challenges in securing quality jobs, education, health
care, and housing. Student participants will also be asked to identify
their professor mentor and to assist with fundraising for the training
session. SHN will work with partner organizations to provide students
and residents with necessary informational materials. Additionally, SHN
will arrange a network of support structures for both residents and
students, including:   survivor council meetings; student support group
teams; professor mentors for each law student; cultural competency
advisors; and legal aid referral advisors. Participation in the program
is a six-week commitment, for five to ten hours per week.   

HOW DO I APPLY?

Completed applications must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. EST,
Saturday August 12th. Please note that space will be limited in the
pilot program to 60 law students and 60 residents. Students of color are
strongly encouraged to apply.   Questions about the program and/or the

application process should be emailed to matchmakers4justice@gmail.com.