Legal Access
Exodus Transitional Community
Address: 97-99 Cannon St. Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Issue Areas: Housing Insecurity/Justice, Mental Health Access and Support, Prison Abolition, Access to resources for formerly incarcerated individuals
About: Exodus Transitional Community (ETC) offers reentry services to justice impacted individuals in the Dutchess County region. We partner with DCJS, DOCCS, and DCFS to offer case management, mentorship, supportive services, and parole-mandated programs to our participants. We also coordinate the Dutchess County Reentry Task Force, where we partner with the Public Defender’s Office and other local organizations to create case plans for individuals who are returning home from incarceration.
Position Description: Students will play a pivotal role in supporting and enhancing our mission to reintegrate individuals affected by the justice system into society. The students will contribute by assisting our case managers with client intakes assessments and follow-ups to ensure that each individual receives personalized support tailored to their needs. helping connect participants with essential resources such as housing, employment opportunities, educational programs and mental health services.
Desired Skills: Bilingual Spanish-English, Communications – emails, phone calls, in person outreach, Copywriting, Fact-checking, Public speaking/presenting, Research skills, Web design, Writing, Data collection/analysis
Additional Requirements: One form of ID (state-issued ID, passport, etc.)
Hours: 4hrs/week, 8hrs/week
Are you interested in getting involved with Exodus? Visit here for your next steps.
Hudson Valley Justice Center
https://www.hvjc.org/
Non-profit, 30+ team members
29 North Hamilton Street, Suite 205, Poughkeepsie NY 12601
Action Areas: Housing Insecurity/Justice, Racial Justice, Legal Access
About:The Hudson Valley Justice Center (HVJC) provides high-quality legal counsel in civil matters where basic human needs are at stake. We represent poor and low-income individuals who cannot afford an attorney, regardless of immigration status.
Pursuit of this mission includes handling individual, class action, and other impact cases, as well as partnering with others to promote a meaningful access the American Justice System, regardless of economic or social condition.
Position description:Help with attorneys, legal research and memo drafting, help with translations
Desired Skills:Bilingual Spanish-English, Bilingual with another language, Communications – emails, phone calls, in person outreach, Fact-checking, Previous experience in this field, Public speaking/presenting, Research skills, Social media management, Web design, Writing, Video editing/production, Data collection/analysis
Hours:4hrs/week
Are you interested in getting involved with the HVJC? Visit here for your next steps.
Dutchess County Public Defender’s Office
https://www.dutchessny.gov/Departments/Public-Defender/Public-Defender.htm
Government Office, 30+ Team members
Address: 45 Market St Poughkeepsie NY 12601
Action Areas:Legal Access
About:The Dutchess County Public Defender’s Office is the primary legal services provider for indigent people in need of legal representation in criminal and family court in Dutchess County.
Our office is comprised of attorneys, social workers, investigators and dedicated support staff who work together as a team to provide client-centered, holistic legal representation and services. Our attorneys are professional, assertive, compassionate and zealous advocates, who possess a steadfast commitment to protecting our clients’ rights and achieving a more just legal system.
We work with our clients to ensure that they are well-informed and empowered to make knowledgeable decisions. Through this collaborative effort, we strive to achieve results that meet our clients’ legal and personal objectives.
Position description:Students are expected to work a minimum of 2 mornings each week. They tend to work 3-5 mornings each week. All are trained to complete intake interviews along with our CJIS workers. Periodically each intern will accompany the County Calendar Attorney in order to sit in on the case conferences. The interns also help with minor projects that are needed by staff such as the copying of large files and the boxing of annual files. If we happen to have a bilingual intern in any semester, Attorneys may request their assistance with translations.
Desired Skills:Bilingual Spanish-English, Communications – emails, phone calls, in person outreach, Fact-checking, Previous experience in this field, Research skills, Writing, Data collection/analysis
Hours:4hrs/week, 8hrs/week, 4-12hrs
Positions Available: 3
Are you interested in getting involved with the Public Defender? Visit here for your next steps.
Dutchess County District Attorney
https://www.dutchessny.gov/Departments/District-Attorney/District-Attorney.htm
Government office with 30+ team members
Address:236 Main Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Action Areas: Criminal Justice
About: The Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office is responsible for handling criminal matters occurring within the county. Our mission is to be steadfast guardians of the rights and liberties of all participants in the criminal justice system and to evaluate every case on its merits to ensure safety and justice for the community.
Position Description:There will be various projects and learning opportunities to engage and learn about the criminal justice system.
Desired Skills:Communications – emails, phone calls, in person outreach, Fact-checking, Research skills, Writing
Hours: 8hrs/week
Positions Available: 2
Family Services of the Hudson Valley
About: Family Services brings people together to find the support they need, improving their lives and communities, and building a stronger, safer Hudson Valley.
Address: 29 N. Hamilton St, Poughkeepsie, NY
Position Description: The Children’s Center Intern assists the Lead Teacher and Assistant Teacher at the Children’s Center at the Dutchess County Family Court in compliance with all NYS Office of Court Administration Children’s Center Program agreements. The Intern provides a safe and creative curriculum for children while their families attend to court business and offers consultation to families for resources within the community. The position enthusiastically supports, practices, and communicates the agency’s Mission and Statement of Values. Under the supervision of program staff, interns may facilitate activities with children and offer supportive counseling to parents. In addition to direct-services, interns will assist with administrative and clerical duties. Intern responsibilities will be inclusive of areas identified in their respective college/university learning plan. Children Center Interns enthusiastically support, practice, and communicate the agency’s mission and statement of values.
Role/Responsibilities:
- Responsible for assisting with the direct care and safety of the children left in the center
under the supervision of program staff.- Implements and maintains the health and safety protocol/procedures and maintains visible instructive printouts of these procedures.
- Will assure center is in compliance with all program safety and confidentiality guidelines.
- Under the supervision of program staff, assisting with required intakes and reports.
- Prepares and submits information for monthly reports to appropriate entities.
- Secures the intake paperwork in proper location.
- Maintains statistical records necessary for reports and research.
- Planning, development and evaluation of program activities.
- Designs and carries out curriculum and activities based on the needs and
development of children in center at any given time. - Develops and implements monthly/seasonal themes and constructive activities in
a long-range plan - Will implement the established curriculum guidelines
- Designs and carries out curriculum and activities based on the needs and
- Assisting with the distribution of referral and resource information to caregivers based on their and their children’s needs.
- Remains informed on current local resources and services.
- Assesses the needs of the caregiver and will respond to them through referrals to
appropriate agency/program.
- Assisting the Lead Teacher and Assistant Teacher in the planning and coordinating the Children’s Center/Supervised Visitation Advisory Committee in conjunction with the Associate Director and Director of Family Support Services
- Completion of all required training for staff.
- Providing appropriate, creative, supportive interactions with the children in the center in group and individual activities.
- Develop creative “in-class” programs based on age and present teachable
Hours: 4 hrs week or 8 hrs/week
Are you interested in getting involved with the Children’s Center? Visit here for your next steps.