Discovering Justice Annual Gala Honors "Partners for Justice"
Gratitude and appreciation were the focus of the night at Discovering Justice’s Annual Gala 2024: “Partners for Justice,” held at the Artists for Humanity EpiCenter in Boston on June 26th. Gala sponsors and their guests, as well as donors, volunteers, featured speakers, and family and friends gathered to support Discovering Justice’s innovative civics education programs for Massachusetts students.
Celebrating the importance of the partnerships that support its impactful programs, Discovering Justice recognized and honored six key “Partners for Justice” for their exceptional commitment to civics education for students across the Commonwealth.
As the event began that warm Wednesday evening in Boston’s Fort Point neighborhood, 250 attendees mingled in the EpiCenter, enjoying cocktails and passed plates from Gourmet Caterers in Roslindale. Live music from Boston Music Project was occasionally punctured by the popping of balloons in the popular “Balloon Pop” fundraiser during which guests purchased and popped helium balloons to win prizes. (Attendees seeking a quieter purchasing experience could browse and bid at the Auction table.)
Discovering Justice Board Member Sarah Walters hosted the speaking program, which featured the six “Partner for Justice” awardees:
- Hannah Esquenazi, Associate, Jones Day. A volunteer Legal Mentor in the Mock Trial and Mock Appeal Program since 2019, Hannah has also been an invaluable partner in doubling the size of the program in the last few years.
- Tracy Coutts and Christy Nelson, Kindergarten 2 Co-Leads, Gardner Pilot Academy, Boston. Tracy and Christy have been essential partners in developing and teaching the Children Discovering Justice curriculum and ensuring it is accessible for all students.
- Senator Becca Rausch, Massachusetts State Senate - Norfolk, Worcester and Middlesex District. Senator Rausch has emerged as the civics education sector’s champion for civics in the Massachusetts Legislature.
- Goodwin Procter. For over 20 years, the law firm Goodwin Procter has helped Discovering Justice grow through vital financial, volunteer, and leadership support.
- Thomas Rachele, Director of Humanities, Springfield Public Schools. Tom has been an indispensable thought partner and ambassador for Discovering Justice Programs in Springfield, West Springfield, and other Gateway Cities across Massachusetts.
Each "Partner for Justice" Awardee spoke on their partnership with Discovering Justice and the impact of this work on students and communities. Awardees were also presented with customized award plaques created by Artists for Humanity’s teen program participants.
“Discovering Justice's partners are essential to our work," said Executive Director Matt Wilson. "It was inspiring to hear directly from those partners and to celebrate all the collaboration that makes this work possible. The night was a reminder of the importance of civics education not only for each of us and our students as individuals, but also for our schools, cities and towns, and communities."
The event raised nearly $325,000 that will help Discovering Justice build capacity to extend its programs to more students and communities. This past year, Discovering Justice programs served 27,000 students in classrooms across Massachusetts.
Discovering Justice is grateful for the commitment of its community, who continue to show up enthusiastically not only for the Gala, but in support of civics education and the students of the Commonwealth.
Spring 2024 Mock Appeal: Empowering Tomorrow’s Justice Advocates
Discovering Justice is proud to report back on another great year of its spring 2024 Mock Appeal Program. This year, the program served over 300 middle school students and culminated in 12 Final Events between late May and early June. The largest of these events took place on May 29th at the John J. Moakley U.S. Courthouse in Boston's Seaport and brought together students from thirteen middle schools in Boston, Brookline, Medford, and Waltham.
Building off the fall Mock Trial Program, the 11-week spring Mock Appeal Program pairs middle school students with volunteer Legal Mentors to prepare oral arguments to be made in front of a panel of judges. Legal Mentors help students discern strong legal arguments, understand their constitutional rights, and confidently present their case.
This spring, ‘student attorneys’ were asking panels to either uphold or reverse a previous decision in the fall Mock Trial case of Jordan King v. Granger School District. Students relied on legal precedent of Tinker v. Des Moines (1969) and Mahanoy v. B.L. (2021) to make their case on the First Amendment right to free speech.
At the start of each Final Event, ‘student attorneys’ are sworn in by a Federal or State judge to the “Mock Bar Association,” promising to uphold justice, participate in our democracy, and be the best members of their community they can be. Then, with a healthy mix of excitement and anticipation, students head into courtrooms to stand before judges and put their words into action.
Mock Trial and Mock Appeal Program Manager Kiley Hartman reflected on the events and students' presentations: “It's moments like these, where students confidently articulate their arguments, that remind us of the Mock Appeal Program's profound impact on its young participants.” Witnessing the students' impassioned presentations was a moving experience for judges, families, and spectators alike.
Looking Forward: Fall 2024 Mock Trial
Discovering Justice is seeking volunteer Legal Mentors to support the curious and hardworking middle school student teams participating in the fall 2024 Mock Trial Program. By volunteering your time and expertise, Legal Mentors help students explore the year’s case, prepare for Mock Trial Final Events, and deepen their understanding of the justice system.
Ready to make a difference? Sign up to become a legal mentor today!
For inquiries, please contact Discovering Justice Mock Trial and Mock Appeal Program Manager Kiley Hartman: khartman@discoveringjustice.org.
Children Discovering Justice Students Take Action
While the Massachusetts Civic Education Law mandates community action projects for students in eighth grade and in high school, Discovering Justice believes that students can have an impact even earlier – in elementary school.
Through the Children Discovering Justice curriculum, classrooms of students from kindergarten through third grade design and implement Civic Action Projects to address a need in their community. This spring, classrooms across the Commonwealth from Springfield to Boston were engaged in this meaningful work – view some highlights from those Civic Action Projects below:
- One kindergarten classroom advocated for, and then created, a take-home food bin to prevent food waste in their school community.
- A first grade classroom organized a book drive to collect books for students who need them and reorganized the school’s library to make it more appealing to and accessible.
- Second graders in Boston connected their civic action with learning about pollinators by interviewing local benefit corporation Green City Growers and used their learning to advocate for bees by planting a garden in their community (pictured below).
- A third grade classroom created a petition for classes to clean up the school cafeteria ahead of their lunch period.
“Not only are these students building the skills they need to be civically engaged, they are applying them and making a difference now to impact their lives and the lives of their fellow community members," said Laura Brenner, Discovering Justice’s Chief Program Officer.
If your student or school district is interested in bringing this innovative and free curriculum to your community, you can find more information here.
Boston Desegregation and Busing 50th Anniversary Event Packs Moakley Courthouse
On June 20th, close to 400 people visited the Moakley Courthouse or joined by Zoom for its Boston School Desegregation and Busing 50th Anniversary event.
The hybrid event commemorated the 50th anniversary of District Judge Arthur Garrity’s landmark decision in Morgan V. Hennigan (1974), ordering Boston schools to desegregate. Attendees heard remarks from a distinguished panel moderated by Boston NAACP President Tanisha Sullivan.
The story of the Morgan v. Hennigan decision serves as a reminder of the roles and responsibilities everyone shares in working towards justice. As panelists recounted the early days of the case, President Sullivan remarked: “I cannot help but reflect on… the courage of the parents and the students, and their determination to pursue a quality education and equal educational opportunities for their children.”
Did you miss out on attending the event in June? You can view the recording here.
This event was co-hosted by Discovering Justice, the Boston Desegregation and Busing Initiative, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, and the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.
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Engage the Next Generation of Justice Advocates as a Volunteer Courthouse Education Guide
Are you looking to support Discovering Justice and its students firsthand? Each year, our Courthouse Programs and Events welcome 3,000 students from first grade through law schools into the Moakley Courthouse. These visits serve as an entry point to the justice system for our youngest students and a chance to deepen knowledge of future career paths for our oldest.
We’re looking for volunteer Courthouse Education Guides to help us widen that reach.
As a Courthouse Education Guide, you may:
- Deliver tours ranging from 30-60 minutes to school groups, exploring the ideals and workings of our justice system.
- Facilitate courtroom activities that allow students to experience being an attorney.
- Accompany students on meetings with Federal judges and other legal professionals.
- Bring students to observe court proceedings and facilitate conversation afterwards.
Discovering Justice’s volunteer Courthouse Education Guides are trained on the history, art, and architecture of the Moakley Courthouse, as well as on inquiry-based approaches to leading student groups to make sure they are supported at every step of the way.
Guides are expected to be available for as few as six 90-minute tours per year. Tours are scheduled on weekdays and typically in the morning, though some afternoons might be available.
Interested in volunteering as a Courthouse Education Guide with Discovering Justice? Complete the application form here.
If you have any questions or are interested in more information, please contact Courthouse Programs Manager Emily Dall’Orso at edallorso@discoveringjustice.org or 617-748-9643.
Meet Discovering Justice's Summer Volunteers
Shania Barton
Shania Barton will support the recruitment of legal volunteers as Discovering Justice builds capacity to meet an increased demand from school districts for its Mock Trial and Mock Appeal Programs. Shania’s outreach will focus on outreach to identify volunteer Legal Mentors for the fall Mock Trial Program’s newest teams in Springfield and Brockton, as well as recruiting tour guides to lead school groups and other guests through the Moakley Courthouse. Currently a law student at New England Law, Shania brings a wealth of experience in volunteering in the legal field and a passion for the Discovering Justice’s programs.
Inessa Berman
Inessa Berman joins Discovering Justice as a summer intern from Teen JUST-US, a summer social justice program for local Jewish teens. Inessa will be supporting communications and event planning for the organization’s upcoming 25th Anniversary Celebration (more info later in the newsletter). While interning with Discovering Justice Inessa hopes to further inspire her passion for social justice as well as deepen her knowledge about legal professions and nonprofit work. A rising senior at Weston High School, Inessa brings with her past experience volunteering for nonprofits, fundraising, and working with younger students and an interest in graphic design.
Ellie Shilling
Ellie Shilling will focus on performing research to build our knowledge base for volunteer Courthouse Education Guides on topics ranging from the jury system, to notorious cases at the Moakley Courthouse, to plea deals and their impact on the justice system – all while studying for the LSAT! Ellie is a rising senior at Cornell University, where she is majoring in Government with minors in Inequality Studies and Crime, Prisons, Education and Justice.
Interested in learning about how you can volunteer with Discovering Justice? Click here.
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Join Discovering Justice as a Fall 2024 Fellow
Discovering Justice is currently hiring for its Fall 2024 class of Fellows. Do you know a college student or recent graduate who is passionate about civics education and the need to protect and promote our democracy? Through Discovering Justice's Fellowship Program, we welcome young professionals onto our staff and entrust them with the responsibility to help carry out our programs.
Fellows work directly with a Discovering Justice staff person to support our civics education programs and build the organization’s operational capacity through communications outreach, fundraising, and event planning. During the semester-long program, Fellows will lead and complete projects, collaborate with both staff members and other Fellows, and learn more about the state of civics education and the operations of nonprofit organizations. Our staff and volunteers provide an open and welcoming environment that enables Fellows to take on responsibilities and learn core nonprofit skills to help in their careers.
The ideal Fellow:
- Is passionate about civics education and the need to protect and promote our democracy.
- Can commit to working 40 hours a week with a dynamic and energetic staff (at least 25 hours for a part-time Fellowship).
- Has excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Loves to work with a team and wants to learn new skills.
- Is interested in pursuing a career in nonprofits, teaching, or the law.
To apply, email a cover letter and resume to careers@discoveringjustice.org with the subject line "Fall 2024 Discovering Justice Fellow." Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Women, and LGBTQIA+ people are strongly encouraged to apply.
Supporting the Work of Discovering Justice
Discovering Justice owes our success to the strength of our partnerships. From our dedicated community of staff, volunteers, educators, judges, legal professionals, donors, and beyond, we all work together to help the students of the Commonwealth examine the workings of the justice system, explore the ideals of justice, and engage in our democracy.
Help Discovering Justice build capacity to reach more students across Massachusetts with our innovative civics education programs.
With your recurring monthly donation of just $25 a month, we will send you a Discovering Justice tote bag and invite you and up to seven of your friends, family, and colleagues on a private guided tour of the Moakley Federal Courthouse in Boston's Seaport, exploring the building's history, art, architecture, and more.