A Fellows grant of $51,225 from the Massachusetts Bar Foundation has made it possible to continue the Worcester portion of the Supreme Judicial Court’s Judicial Youth Corps Program this year. Twenty students from Worcester will participate in the 14-week program, which began last month.
“The Judicial Youth Corps Program is important because it provides young people in Massachusetts with a hands-on educational experience led by exemplary mentors that results in a fuller understanding of the justice system. The program also creates memorable summer jobs that have a real and lasting impact,” MBA President Edward W. McIntyre said.
“The MBA is grateful to the MBF for its continued commitment and generosity with this and many other community-based programs that serve the citizens of the commonwealth,” he said.
Designed for urban high school students, the Judicial Youth Corps Program was established by the Supreme Judicial Court’s Public Information Office in 1991. The program teaches young people about the judicial branch of government and fundamental principles of law. The four-month program consists of two educational components: a seven-week orientation to the court system in May and June and a seven-week courthouse internship session in July and August.
The MBA thanks Bowditch & Dewey in Worcester for donating office space for the program.
“Educating our youth about the role of the courts in a constitutional democracy is an essential component of the judicial branch’s public outreach. The Judicial Youth Corps Program for many years has enabled high school students to gain a broader understanding of the importance of a rule of law,” said Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall of the Supreme Judicial Court. “I am delighted that the Massachusetts Bar Foundation and Massachusetts Bar Association continue to provide a vital partnership with the courts to support the Judicial Youth Corps Program in Worcester.”
The MBF has provided funding annually to the program since 2007, when a Fellows fund grant helped to return the program to Worcester after a long hiatus.
“The Foundation proudly supports this program that offers such a great opportunity for Worcester youth to experience our justice system in action. We hope it will inspire them with a deeper understanding of the law and help develop their professional potential,” MBF Executive Director Elizabeth M. Lynch said. “The student participants are always an impressive group who take full advantage of this worthwhile program.” The MBF is the philanthropic partner of the MBA.
In recent years, the program was limited to Boston students due to financial constraints. The Boston Private Industry Council has funded the Boston portion of the program in recent years.