Season’s Greetings!
After a weekend of gratefulness, this Giving Tuesday, I am asking you and yours to give a few hours of your time this winter to help underserved Minnesotan students forge pathways to a future in the justice system.
UPLIFT is so grateful for the support of the Twin Cities legal community that has made it possible for us to reach 8 years and grow into what UPLIFT: Legal Institute for Teens has been able to become. UPLIFT has built bridges for over 300 local students, with the goal of bringing up a next generation of legal professionals who reflect the rich diversity of the Twin Cities to. Yet, the disparity in who joins the legal field continues to grow.
Your support makes a difference. Each year, attorneys and law students step up to join our students as mock trial coaches for a few hours a week. The experience culminates in a full criminal mock trial in front of a real judge in March. Each year, we have students whose lives and families are changed forever when they see themselves as a real lawyer. This year, we have doubled our programming and are changing lives for 120 students in four schools—including, for the first time, a high school competition team. Please join us today in making a difference by registering as a volunteer or sending this opportunity to someone you think would be interested.
Volunteer locations:
- Roseville Middle School, (15 County Rd B2 E) Mon., Jan 6 – Mar 3, 2:45pm – 5:15pm, (no practice on 1/20, 2/3, and 2/17). Trial at the University of St. Thomas Law School on March 6, 2025, coaches arrive close to 4:00, trial begins at 6:00 p.m.
- St. Louis Park Middle School, (2025 Texas Avenue South) Tues., Jan 7 – Mar 4, 4:00pm – 5:30pm. Trial at U of MN law School on March 11, 2025, coaches arrive close to 4:00, trial begins at 6:00 p.m.
- Columbia Academy, (900 49th Avenue NE) Weds., Jan 8 – Mar 5, 3:15pm – 5:30pm. Trial at U of MN law School on March 12, 2025, coaches arrive close to 4:00, trial begins at 6:00 p.m.
Please sign up HERE.
If you are unable to commit to serving as a mock trial coach for the season but are interested in learning about additional ways in which you can volunteer, please reach out to CB Baga to learn more.