Our Crowdfunding Groups
WHO WE ARE
Street Law is a Northwestern Law student organization that empowers and educates high school students in Chicago. Groups of 3-6 law students travel into Civics, Social Studies, and History classrooms each month to provide students with an interactive and engaging discussion to make complex laws accessible. Covering topics such as tenant rights, employment discrimination, searches and seizures, and sexual assault, students become equipped with the tools to become civically engaged and informed citizens.
Street Law has experienced tremendous growth and success in the three years since it began at Northwestern Law. Currently 95 law students serve 17 classrooms across the city. High school students participating in Street Law have described the lessons as “awesome,” “eye opening,” and relevant to situations they face as teenagers in Chicago. Teachers describe Street Law as “crucial.” And law students have said Street Law “is one of the most important things I could do with my legal education.” While going into the classroom is one of our main focuses, we also invite hundreds of Chicago Public School students on our campus to show them what it might feel like to attend law school.
WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP
In an effort to expand Street Law’s mission and to engage even more law school students and faculty, we host Law in Action Days on campus. In October, over 100 Chicago high school students from Schurz High School spent a day at the law school, gaining exposure and insight into the life of a law student. Students participated in a simulated law school class taught by various professors on topics like negotiations and criminal law. There was also an interactive, diverse panel of law students who engaged in a dialogue with the students about their experiences and what led them to the law. This exciting program piloted two years ago and successfully expanded Street Law’s influence to provide students with exposure to higher education, law school life, and legal thinking. We are hoping to have the opportunity to welcome more schools and their students to campus next semester and that's how you can help!
The success of this program is due in great part to the collaboration and support of numerous student groups and administration. Street Law recognizes the incredible impact of providing these students with a glimpse of life as a law student, which requires that students travel to the law school. The cost of providing one bus is around $350. Our last collaboration with Schurz High School required three buses for a total cost of around $1000. We also provided lunch for all of the students, teachers, and administrators which cost around $500 for our last event. This is a total of $1500 per event.
Due to the massive success of our event in October, our hope is to provide the funding for two more of these events next semester. With your help we believe we can meet our goal of $3000 and have the opportunity to have a profound impact on the lives of 200+ more students. Any and all help you can provide will directly impact the students we are working so hard to educate and empower.
Thank you for your help!
