This is a Special Project, monitored by PBSC National
Project Type: Public Legal Education (Presentations, workshops, podcasts, brochures, blogs, etc.)
Fields of Law: Criminal Law, Indigenous Law, Human Rights Law
Positions Available: 4-6 students
About Level Justice
Founded in 2004, Level is a Canadian charitable organization that levels barriers to justice by building empathy, disrupting prejudice, and advancing human rights. We pursue our mission through outreach and public legal education initiatives, human rights research and events, and through specialized mentorship programs.
We believe that if stakeholders are empowered to understand, shape, and use the law, they can become active participants in breaking down barriers to justice. We also believe that if our legal professionals have empathy and cultural humility, we can create a justice system that serves the people who need it the most.
Project Details
The project will involve support for online/remote or in-person justice education sessions for Level’s Indigenous Youth Outreach Program (IYOP).This project will feature two components: (i) assisting in the facilitation and delivery of mock trials for youth, and (ii) researching and drafting new mock trial scenarios.
Part I: The project will involve support for Level’s online/remote or in-person justice education sessions for Level’s Indigenous Youth Outreach Program (IYOP).
IYOP is a justice education and mentorship program for First Nations, Métis and Inuit youth aged 11-14 where youth work with justice sector volunteers on fun and engaging activities that teach them about the Canadian criminal justice system, while incorporating Indigenous pedagogy including smudging, feasting, Elder teachings, and a focus on restorative justice.
Level launched IYOP in Toronto in 2012, and at that time, served 25 youth and engaged 12 justice sector volunteers. Since then, the program has grown to serve over 300 youth and work with over 125 justice sector professionals from Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.
Typically, IYOP runs 6-10 justice education session with Indigenous students in a particular school location. Volunteer students will be involved in relationship-building exercises, identity work, and justice education games and experiences with the program participants.
Part II: IYOP relies on a mock trial handbook to ensure smooth delivery of sessions. These handbooks contain mock trial scenarios for use by volunteers in the program. During off times (i.e. durations where students are not supporting with mock trials), student volunteers will be expected to conduct legal research for use by the partner organization, pending review and approval by the supervising lawyer.
Role of Student Volunteer(s)
Student Volunteers will be in charge of:
- Leading small justice education group activities during program sessions
- Partnering with students to prepare them for a mock trial and sentencing circle activity
- Providing education on different career paths in the justice system
- Ensuring that they are present at all scheduled justice education sessions they are involved in
If interest is expressed, other potential tasks the volunteer may be in charge of are:
- Recruitment of a Judge for the youth mock trial activity
- Recruitment of Lawyer volunteers
- Contacting and coordinating with courthouses where the youth mock trial can take place
- Contacting and coordinating with law firms where a youth field trip can occur
Volunteers are expected to commit 1-2 hours per week over the course of 8 weeks in the fall semester (October – November). In the winter semester volunteers are expected to commit to 1 – 2 hours per week for 12 weeks (January – March). Sessions will generally take place in person; however, some sessions may be on Zoom depending on pandemic and other restrictions. In addition to attending the program sessions, volunteers must complete:
- A one-hour introductory training session with Level
- A one-hour Cultural Humility and Empathy Training session
- 1 Cultural Humility exercise in each semester the volunteer is active
Is A Work Plan Required For This Position?
No.
If yes, the student(s) must reach out to the lawyer supervisor, draft a work plan, and submit it by email to the Program Coordinator and the lawyer supervisor by November 1st at the latest. Please note that workplans are required for all legal research and writing projects.
What Type Of Training Will the Organization Provide?
Note: All first year PBSC volunteers and all volunteers working on research projects must also attend a PBSC/Thomson Reuters legal research strategies workshop.
- A virtual one-hour introductory training session with Level that will be completed BEFORE volunteers interact with youth.
- A virtual one-hour Cultural Humility and Empathy Training session will be completed during the volunteer's third week of participation.
- 1 independently completed cultural humility and empathy exercise to be completed within the last 3 weeks of volunteer involvement with the project.
How Many Hours Per Week Will the Student Volunteer(s) Be Expected to Volunteer?
1 - 2 hours per week
Will The Student(s) Be Expected To Show Up For Regular Shifts Each Week?
Students are expected to be able to attend all program sessions but any additional work is flexible and can be completed remotely.
Is Workspace Provided For the Student Volunteer(s)?
N/A
Requirements and Expectations
None. However, an interest in or completion of Indigenous Law, Indigenous Legal Traditions, and Canadian Criminal Law will be an asset. Given the nature of clientele served (youth), student volunteers should possess comfort working with youth, and a high degree of humility.