Law In Motion Service Program
The Law In Motion program, consistent with the University's Jesuit mission, provides opportunities for the law school community to reflect on issues of social justice and access to equal justice through various activities and events.
History of Law In Motion
Law In Motion ("LIM") was developed in 1999 by Dean Jeffrey Brand, the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and the then SBA President. It began as a "Service Saturday" program, but quickly expanded to sponsor activities all year long, including during orientation week. Activities have included serving meals at St. Anthony's Foundation Dining Room, hosting an annual Halloween Fair and Costume Parade for local elementary school students, providing tax filing assistance to low income individuals, making and enjoying breakfast with children at Edgewood Center for Children, visiting and speaking with prisoners at San Quentin Prison, participating in habitat restoration and landscape maintenance projects at Golden Gate National Parks, and spring break immersion programs in the Tenderloin District of San Francisco and in New Orleans.
Why Participate in Law In Motion
You do not have to be interested in or dedicated to a career in public interest law to participate in LIM service activities. People participate for a variety of reasons; because they want to take advantage of a chance to away from their books or because they want to spend some time with friends and do a little good for the community at the same time. Public service is integral to a just, functioning, and forward-moving community. Public service can be personally rewarding. Everyone is welcome to join.
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
Law In Motion provides a variety of service opportunities, both legal and non-legal, throughout the school year. Interested in participating? See below for a list of upcoming Law In Motion sponsored service activities.
Note: All students who participate in an LIM event need to complete a voluntary off-site waiver form and return it to the Deans' Office (KN 328) prior to the date of the event.
Blood Drive with Blood Centers of the Pacific (BCP)
Tuesday, September 8th - 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
The Blood Center is bringing a coach that will be parked in front of the law school for donors and individuals. BCP is a community-based non-profit organization that supplies blood to patients, doctors, and hospitals throughout Northern California. BCP conducts medical research to improve blood safety and patient care. 50, 000 patients are helped every year from blood donated by community volunteers.
Location: BCP Coach infront of the law school
Contact: Malou Romero, Deans' Office, 415-422-4496, lawinmotion@usfca.edu
Schedule online: www.bloodheroes.com
Co-sponsors: TBA
AIDS Memorial Grove Workday with National AIDS Memorial
Saturday, September 19th - 8:30 am - 1:30 pm
The National AIDS Memorial Grove, located in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, is a dedicated space in the national landscape where millions of Americans touched directly or indirectly by AIDS can gather to heal, hope, and remember. Individuals and groups of volunteers will participate in gardening activities: clearing weeds and debris, mulching and hauling topsoil, planting new trees and shrubs, and other related activities. Participants pause at noon for "Healing Circle," where Workday sponsors and Workday volunteer groups are recognized and invited to speak (not obligatory). Morning coffee and bagels as well as donated lunch will be provided to all volunteers.
Location: AIDS Memorial Grove at Golden Gate Park
Contact: Malou Romero, Deans' Office, 415-422-4496, lawinmotion@usfca.edu
RSVP By: 9/17
Co-sponsor: TBA
Halloween Fair with New Traditions Elementary School
Friday, October 30th - 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
More than just a school, New Traditions is a multicultural, multiethnic, vital community, developing students into responsible, active participants ready for the challenges of the future. The school's central location near Golden Gate Park's panhandle provides easy access to San Francisco's cultural and educational sites, helping students learn in a creative, challenging environment linked to the arts. All student organizations are invited to join and participate in this fun-filled event where costumes, Halloween-themed activities and the distribution of candy, treats are highly encouraged. Celebrate Halloween with elementary students from New Traditions Elementary School in the Atrium, Student Boulevard and various offices open for trick-or-treaters.
Location: Atrium and Student Blvd.
Contact: Malou Romero, Deans' Office, 415-422-4496, lawinmotion@usfca.edu
RSVP By: 10/28
Co-sponsor: TBA
Holiday Food Drive with San Francisco Food Bank
Monday, November 16th - Wednesday November 25th
Green SF Food Bank barrels will be placed in the first floor of Kendrick to collect donations of non-perishable items such as: canned vegetables, canned fruit, tuna, canned meats, soups, stews, chili, peanut butter and cereal. San Francisco Food Bank provides thousands of pounds of food during the holiday season to make a difference in the lives of low-income families, seniors and individuals threatened by hunger. Bring hope to the table this holiday season by bringing non-perishable food donations.
La Casa De Las Madres: Adopt a Family Program - Monday, November 16th
Monday, December 7th
La Casa de las Madres is a women's domestic violence shelter and refuge in San Francisco. They help women and their families live on their own and escape the cycle of domestic violence. From toy trucks, books, towel sets and warm sweaters, they are asking donors to adopt a family and fulfill their wish list. Monetary donations are also accepted. Look for the table in the student boulevard of Kendrick Hall to get the families' wish list.
Previous Events
Playground Build with San Francisco School Volunteers (SFSV)
Monday, June 22nd - 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
California First Lady Maria Shriver and California Volunteers, with the help of hundreds of volunteers, will construct an intergenerational playground at Bret Harte Elementary School in San Francisco to celebrate the life and legacy of Cesar E. Chavez and his commitment to community service. Volunteers will assemble the playground, mural and garden. No experience is necessary. Lunch and tools will be provided to all participants. Volunteers should wear closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothing. This project requires some repetitive bending, lifting and standing.
Location: Bret Harte Elementary School - Bayview District
2009-2010 Law In Motion Service Saturday
Saturday, August 22nd 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Incoming first-year students choose one from four community service activities below and sign-up at the Info Fair to get a free Law In Motion t-shirt! (Sign-up forms will be available at the start of Orientation week for 1L students.)
Food Sorting - San Francisco Food Bank
A group of 15-20 volunteers will help sort and pack food that will be distributed to those in need. The SF Food Bank is the largest distributor of food to non-profit agencies in San Francisco, from homeless shelters to AIDS service providers and battered women's shelters. This year, the Food Bank will distribute nearly 29 million pounds of food, or enough to provide 62,000 meals a day.
Presidio Stewardship - Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy
A group of 25-50 volunteers will provide assistance at one of the historic parks that make up the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, helping to preserve this precious resource for future generations. Restoration and maintenance tasks may include invasive plant removal, planting native plants, or working in one of the park's nurseries.
Dining Room Service - St. Anthony Foundation
A group of 12-15 volunteers will help serve warm, nourishing meals in a caring and respectful setting to people in need in San Francisco. Volunteers will serve food, deliver trays for seniors, people with disabilities, and families with children, bus dishes, clean tables, and have a chance to get to know the guests.
Tree Planting & Maintenance - Friends of the Urban Forest
A group of 10-15 volunteers will help plant, prune and stake existing trees to promote a large and healthier urban forest in and around the streets of San Francisco as part of the urban ecosystem, through community planting, maintenance and advocacy. Friends of the Urban Forest is a non-profit committed to the belief that trees are a critical element of a livable urban environment.