Miami Law’s commitment to service is reflected in its student organizations, where a sense of community and dedication to helping others propels students to make a difference beyond the classroom. To this end, the HOPE Public Interest Resource Center began working with student leaders during the summer of 2024 to revive the HOPE Liaison Program, a collaboration between student organizations and HOPE to promote service on campus and in the community. So far this year, 36 organizations have been designated as HOPE Liaisons. Since the start of the fall semester, 15 organizations have co-sponsored and participated in 12 community service events, from beach clean-ups to recreational activities with kids and veterans to diaper, food, and toy drives.
In September, students participated in a service event at the Boys and Girls Club of Miami-Dade County, coordinating an afternoon of fun and games for local youth. “This experience provided a meaningful opportunity to step away from law school and reconnect with the reasons that inspired us to pursue a legal career,” said Child Advocacy and Family Law Society E-Board member Jodi Kain. “We were able to engage with the kids and remind ourselves of the importance of service and the lasting impact we can have beyond the classroom. We also enjoyed collaborating with members of other service-minded organizations like the Society of Bar & Gavel and Miami Law Women to bring together as many students as possible for this valuable service event.”
CAFLS also hosted a donation drive on campus to recognize National Diaper Need Awareness Week and participated in a community event to distribute baby essentials, hygiene products, food, and other resources to local families. “It was a very fulfilling experience to see the impact Miami Diaper Bank has on South Florida families and contribute to their mission to end diaper need,” said CAFLS President Christina Velazquez. “We also got to celebrate their 10th anniversary by distributing their 10 millionth diaper!”
In November, student organizations took advantage of the cooler weather to participate in outdoor community service activities. Disability Law Students Association President Becky Rodriguez helped coordinate a group from Miami Law to participate in Shake-a-Leg’s Bay Day, an opportunity for veterans with and without disabilities to share in a community experience.
“Volunteering at Shake-a-Leg’s Veteran’s Day Bay Day was such a meaningful experience,” Rodriguez said. “Being able to help out and accomplish everything that was needed, from registration to grilling lunch, was such a great thing to see. Being involved in our local community is so important for Miami Law students, and it is rewarding to be able to see the impact we could have beyond the classroom and courtroom. I am so glad DLSA was able to organize this event with the help of the HOPE Office, Society of Bar & Gavel, and the Health Law Association.”
The University of Miami Law Review coordinated a service event for all the law school’s journals.
“It was so wonderful to see all of the law reviews come together for a Beach Clean-Up Event at Virginia Key Beach State Park,” said UMLR Managing Editor Brianna Sanchez. “Not only did we have the chance to connect with one another, but we also collected 36 pounds of trash. It was exciting to contribute to keeping Miami’s parks and beaches clean, and the fact that this was the first time that all law reviews united for an event like this made the experience even more special.”
3L Mikey Shahinian, a student leader for the HOPE Liaison Program, has played a crucial role in coordinating and communicating with student organizations. “It has been really exciting to see the growth in volunteer and organization participation in service events on campus, Shahinian said. “As a service coordinator for Bar & Gavel for the past two years, I have been fortunate to meet an increasing number of students interested in giving back to the Miami community. The HOPE Liaison Program has been a great way to learn more about the different causes our student leaders care about and expand our campus service offerings to address all the various needs that exist in Miami.”
The spring 2025 semester kicked off with the Welcome Back Beach Clean-Up on January 25th, co-sponsored by Bar & Gavel, Environmental Law Society, Maritime Law Society, and HOPE. For more information or to join the HOPE Liaison Program, email umhope@law.miami.edu.
Read more about the HOPE Public Interest Resource Center.