{"id":8460,"date":"2022-10-26T15:24:03","date_gmt":"2022-10-26T19:24:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/officeofcommunityengagedlearning\/?page_id=8460"},"modified":"2026-04-29T13:46:22","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T17:46:22","slug":"legal-access","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/officeofcommunityengagedlearning\/community-engaged-learning-opportunities\/legal-access\/","title":{"rendered":"Legal Access"},"content":{"rendered":"

Legal Access<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n
\n

Exodus Transitional Community<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

www.etcny.org<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Non-profit, 1-5 team members<\/span><\/p>\n

Address: <\/b>97-99 Cannon Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601<\/span><\/p>\n

Action Areas: <\/b>Education Policy and Equity, Environmental Justice and Food Security, Expression, Arts, and Culture, Housing Insecurity\/Justice, LGBTQAI+ Rights, Mental Health Access and Support, Public Health, Racial Justice, Reproductive Rights, Voting Rights, Legal Access<\/span><\/p>\n

About:<\/b>We deliver innovative programing tailored to adults and youth affected by the justice system, and advocates for a society in which all can achieve social, economic, and spiritual well- being.<\/p>\n

Position description: <\/b>Students will play a pivotal role in supporting and enhancing our mission to reintegrate individuals affected by the justice system into society. The intern 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Desired Skills:<\/strong> Bilingual Spanish-English, Communications – emails, phone calls, in person outreach, Fact-checking, Research skills, Social media management, Writing<\/p>\n

Hours: <\/b>4 hrs\/week\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Positions Available:<\/strong> 5<\/p>\n

Are you interested in getting involved with Exodus? <\/b>Visit here for your next steps.<\/b><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

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Hudson Valley Justice Center (HVJC)<\/b><\/h1>\n

www.hvjc.org<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Non-profit, 50+ Team Members<\/span><\/p>\n

Address: <\/b>29 N. Hamilton Street, Suite 205, Poughkeepsie NY 12601<\/span><\/p>\n

Action Areas: <\/b>Housing Insecurity\/Justice, Racial Justice, Legal Access<\/span><\/p>\n

About: <\/b>Non-profit that provides free legal services to anyone regardless of immigration status in the mid-Hudson valley.<\/span><\/p>\n

Position description: <\/b>Help attorneys, help with social media, help lobbying<\/span><\/p>\n

Desired Skills: <\/b>Bilingual Spanish-English, Communications – emails, phone calls, in person outreach, Fact-checking, Graphic design, Previous experience in this field, Public speaking\/presenting, Research skills, Social media management, Writing, Data collection\/analysis<\/span><\/p>\n

Hours: <\/b>4hrs\/week<\/span><\/p>\n

Are you interested in getting involved with the HVJC? <\/b>Visit here for your next steps.<\/b><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

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Dutchess County Public Defender\u2019s Office\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

https:\/\/www.dutchessny.gov\/Departments\/Public-Defender\/Public-Defender.htm<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Government Office, 30+ Team members<\/span><\/p>\n

Address: <\/b>45 Market St Poughkeepsie NY 12601<\/span><\/p>\n

Action Areas: <\/b>Legal Access<\/span><\/p>\n

About:<\/b>The Dutchess County Public Defender\u2019s Office is the primary legal services provider for indigent people in need of legal representation in criminal and family court in Dutchess County.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u2019 rights and achieving a more just legal system.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u2019 legal and personal objectives.<\/span><\/p>\n

Position description: <\/b>The student will help build capacity for our organization by completing intake interviews on their own and helping to alleviate the workload of the Intake Specialists in ensuring that files are opened in an efficient and timely manner.<\/span><\/p>\n

The deadline to meet with the OCEL & connect with The Public Defender for the Fall 2026 semester is June 1st.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Desired Skills: <\/b>Bilingual Spanish-English, Communications – emails, phone calls, in person outreach, Fact-checking, Previous experience in this field, Research skills, Writing, Data collection\/analysis<\/span><\/p>\n

Hours: <\/b>4hrs\/week, 8hrs\/week, 4-12hrs<\/span><\/p>\n

Are you interested in getting involved with The Public Defender? <\/b>Visit here for your next steps.<\/b><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

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Dutchess County District Attorney<\/b><\/h1>\n

https:\/\/www.dutchessny.gov\/Departments\/District-Attorney\/District-Attorney.htm<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Government office with 30+ team members<\/span><\/p>\n

Address:<\/b>236 Main Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601<\/span><\/p>\n

Action Areas: <\/b>Legal Access<\/span><\/p>\n

About: <\/b>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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Position Description: <\/b>There will be various projects and learning opportunities to engage and learn about the criminal justice system.<\/span><\/p>\n

Desired Skills: <\/b>Communications – emails, phone calls, in person outreach, Fact-checking, Research skills, Writing<\/span><\/p>\n

Hours: <\/b>8hrs\/week<\/span><\/p>\n

Are you interested in getting involved with The District Attorney? <\/b>Visit here for your next steps.<\/b><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

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Childrens Center at Family Court – Family Services of the Hudson Valley<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

About:\u00a0 <\/strong>Family Services brings people together to find the support they need, improving their lives and communities, and building a stronger, safer Hudson Valley.<\/p>\n

Address: <\/strong>29 N. Hamilton St, Poughkeepsie, NY<\/p>\n

Position Description: <\/strong>The Children\u2019s Center Intern assists the Lead Teacher and Assistant Teacher at the Children\u2019s Center at the Dutchess County Family Court in compliance with all NYS Office of Court Administration Children\u2019s 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\u2019s 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\u2019s mission and statement of values.<\/p>\n

Role\/Responsibilities:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Responsible for assisting with the direct care and safety of the children left in the center
    \nunder the supervision of program staff.<\/p>\n
      \n
    1. Implements and maintains the health and safety protocol\/procedures and maintains visible instructive printouts of these procedures.<\/span><\/li>\n
    2. Will assure center is in compliance with all program safety and confidentiality <\/span>guidelines.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
    3. Under the supervision of program staff, assisting with required intakes and reports.\n
        \n
      1. Prepares and submits information for monthly reports to appropriate entities.<\/li>\n
      2. Secures the intake paperwork in proper location.<\/li>\n
      3. Maintains statistical records necessary for reports and research.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
      4. Planning, development and evaluation of program activities.\n
          \n
        1. Designs and carries out curriculum and activities based on the needs and
          \ndevelopment of children in center at any given time.<\/li>\n
        2. Develops and implements monthly\/seasonal themes and constructive activities in
          \na long-range plan<\/li>\n
        3. Will implement the established curriculum guidelines<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
        4. Assisting with the distribution of referral and resource information to caregivers based on their and their children\u2019s needs.\n
            \n
          1. Remains informed on current local resources and services.<\/li>\n
          2. Assesses the needs of the caregiver and will respond to them through referrals to
            \nappropriate agency\/program.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
          3. Assisting the Lead Teacher and Assistant Teacher in the planning and coordinating the Children\u2019s Center\/Supervised Visitation Advisory Committee in conjunction with the Associate Director and Director of Family Support Services<\/li>\n
          4. Completion of all required training for staff.<\/li>\n
          5. Providing appropriate, creative, supportive interactions with the children in the center in group and individual activities.<\/li>\n
          6. Develop creative \u201cin-class\u201d programs based on age and present teachable<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            Hours:\u00a0\u00a0<\/b>4 hrs week or 8 hrs\/week<\/p>\n

            Are you interested in getting involved with the Children’s Center? Visit here for your next steps.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

            \n

            Citizen Action of New York (hybrid position)<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

            https:\/\/citizenactionny.org<\/span><\/p>\n

            Non-profit, 20+ staff members + members\/volunteers<\/span><\/p>\n

            Address: <\/b>Poughkeepsie<\/span><\/p>\n

            Action Areas: <\/b>Education Policy and Equity, Environmental Justice and Food Security, Housing Insecurity\/Justice, Prison Abolition, Public Health, Racial Justice, Reproductive Rights, Voting Rights<\/span><\/p>\n

            About: <\/b>Citizen Action of New York is a grassroots membership organization taking on big issues that are at the center of transforming society by:<\/span><\/p>\n

            – Ensuring our children have a quality public education no matter their zip code<\/span><\/p>\n

            – Ending our current system of mass incarceration and establishing a new system of justice<\/span><\/p>\n

            – Holding government accountable to all citizens<\/span><\/p>\n

            – Fighting for guaranteed quality, affordable health care<\/span><\/p>\n

            – Taking big money out of politics by creating a fair elections system<\/span><\/p>\n

            – Aiming to dismantle the historic racist system by promoting racial justice<\/span><\/p>\n

            – Striving for a more progressive tax system to begin to end the runaway inequality in our state<\/span><\/p>\n

            – Addressing the climate crisis and transitioning to a renewable energy economy<\/span><\/p>\n

            – We look for opportunities to accomplish big changes \u2013 not small, incremental reforms. We work to elect progressive candidates to office who are committed to these issues. Our power comes from the grassroots: people coming together to push the edge of the possible. – Every new member helps bring New York and America closer to a society that works for all of us!<\/span><\/p>\n

            We envision a world where every person\u2019s basic needs are met. It\u2019s a world filled with love and respect for its people and the planet. It\u2019s a world where democracy reigns and each person is able to reach their fullest potential.<\/span><\/p>\n

            Position Description: <\/b>Student will contribute to our organization by assisting with:<\/span><\/p>\n

            1) Community outreach through phonebanking, community canvassing, tabling, and social media engagement.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

            2) Recording, tracking, and submitting weekly data reports to help illustrate & analyze our work in the community.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

            3) Assisting development of community profiles, policy fact sheets, and other resources\u00a0 to help inform our local advocacy efforts<\/span><\/p>\n

            Desired Skills:<\/b> Communications – emails, phone calls, in person outreach, Fact-checking, Public speaking\/presenting, Research skills, Social media management, Data collection\/analysis<\/span><\/p>\n

            Are you interested in getting involved with Citizen Action? Visit here for your next steps.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

            \n

            Town of Poughkeepsie Government<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

            https:\/\/townofpoughkeepsie.com\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

            Municipality with 30+ team members<\/span><\/p>\n

            Address: <\/b>1 Overocker Poughkeepsie NY 12603<\/span><\/p>\n

            Action Areas: <\/b>Environmental Justice and Food Security, Housing Insecurity\/Justice, local government services<\/span><\/p>\n

            About: <\/b>Town of Poughkeepsie is our municipality, responsible for infrastructure (roads, water, sewer), public safety, parks and recreation programs, Senior Center, and a Town Hall Farm Stand with Dutchess Outreach.<\/span><\/p>\n

            Position Descriptions:\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n