Backpack Drive Committee
The purpose of this committee is to collect new backpacks and school supplies for donation to students, schools and charitable organizations in need throughout the state. Throughout the school year, committee members coordinate donation drop-off locations at volunteering law firms and agencies, pick up and organize the donated supplies, and then distribute them to the recipients in need.
Cinderella Project
The Cinderella Project, which will be in its 18th year during the 2018-2019 Bar year, involves gathering donations of gently-worn formal gowns, shoes and
accessories to benefit high school students across South Carolina. Students from area high schools are invited to attend a boutique held in the spring to “shop” for a dress and other accessories at no cost. Members of this committee coordinate with local boutiques, community organizations, other legal associations and law firms for collection of the dresses and solicitation of donations. Members will also organize the boutiques and assist the belles of the ball as they shop on the day of the boutique.
Families Forever
This committee focuses on educating the public and raising awareness about adoption and foster care in South Carolina and was recently recognized as an Angel in Adoption™ by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) in Washington, D.C. Members of this committee participate in adoption awareness and education projects by coordinating and hosting Families Forever Fairs throughout the state, in partnership with adoption agencies, attorneys and other professionals.
Legal Feeding Frenzy
The Legal Feeding Frenzy committee is dedicated to fighting food insecurity in South Carolina. We partner with local food banks to organize food drives and competitions that encourage legal professionals and to compete against each other to raise donations for those in need. Our mission is to use the legal community’s collective resources to make a significant impact on the issue of hunger in our state. The annual competition coincides with North Carolina’s Feeding Frenzy, and we are working to grow the YLD’s participation in South Carolina! We also partner with the state’s law schools in order to get students involved.
Make A Wish Committee
While doctors treat the physical aspects of a disease, they cannot always treat the psychological impact the illness has on a child. This committee will support
the Make a Wish Foundation of South Carolina by providing funds and volunteers to serve the needs of South Carolinians battling various illnesses. Members of this committee have an opportunity to be part of granting a wish. Depending on the wish child, chosen by the Make a Wish Director of Program Services, committee members can help directly with the wish (i.e. painting for room redecoration) or by hosting a wish reveal or send-off party (themed party with pizza, cake, decorations and presents for travel wishes). The average cost of a wish is $7,500, and it is the goal of the YLD to provide one wish per year. Committee members create and implement fundraising events for Make A Wish, including recruiting participation in the Trailblaze Challenge, in raising money by running the Cooper River Bridge Run, hosting a golf tournament and hosting a Spin-a-Thon.
Pro Bono & Community Outreach
The Pro Bono & Outreach Committee seeks to encourage and offer opportunities for young lawyers to provide pro bono legal services and outreach to the South Carolina community. The Committee collaborates with the South Carolina Bar Pro Bono Board/Program, as well as the pro bono offices at the University of South Carolina School of Law and Charleston School of Law. The Committee supports and promotes community outreach by facilitating and encouraging young lawyer participation in mentorship, volunteer, and sponsorship opportunities provided through partnerships with community organizations and programs, such as the federal drug court program (Bridge) and the Special Olympics of South Carolina, that serve a vast and varied range of South Carolinians.
Student Outreach
The Student Outreach Committee is committed to educating students about both the law and the practice of law. We believe that by engaging with students at an early age, we can help build a pipeline of future attorneys who are passionate about upholding our legal system. Moreover, we can introduce the profession to students and foster an inclusive environment for students to recognize their potential to become an attorney, while participating in events that provide an opportunity to cultivate knowledge and skills that will aid them in future legal practice.
Voices Against Violence
Voices Against Violence (VAV) has the goals of educating young lawyers and the public about the epidemic of domestic violence and encouraging advocacy for domestic violence victims through legislative initiative, pro bono service, and providing hands-on support to shelters and other programs aiding victims of domestic violence. VAV participates in shelter refurbishment projects, which include repainting, rebuilding, landscaping and other refurbishing needs. Each fall, VAV runs a necessities and toiletries drive, collecting donations to deliver to shelters throughout the state. The program has expanded to further its reach and impart support in areas that may have less local funding. VAV is always looking for new ideas and seeking new committee members to assist in furthering the goals of the program in combatting domestic violence.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
The purpose of this committee is to provide free tax preparation for South Carolina residents with annual total household income of $52,000 or less. Members of this committee receive training to prepare basic federal and state income tax returns in various communities throughout the state and assist the chair with recruiting other lawyer volunteers to participate in the tax preparation “Super Saturdays.” The training will be sponsored and conducted by the Columbia Cooperative Ministry, the United Way of Greenville County or the Charleston Trident Urban League, which operate VITA sites.
Wellness Committee
The Wellness Committee provides programming for young lawyers that promote mental, emotional, physical, and social well-being. The Wellness Committee strives to provide resources and tools to young lawyers that address work/life balance, stress management, mental health, alcohol and substance abuse, physical health and well-being, and other quality of life issues. The YLD’s Wellness Committee also plans to collaborate with the Bar’s Wellness Committee to develop programs and events for the Living Above the Bar initiative.
Wills Clinics
The purpose of this committee is to provide free wills and estate planning documents for first response personnel and Habitat for Humanity homeowners. During the clinics, young lawyers will consult with first responders and homeowners and draft wills and advance directives. First responders and homeowners will leave with fully-executed documents. Members of this committee will plan clinics throughout the state and recruit attorney volunteers. Young lawyer volunteers need no prior estate planning experience to take part. Guidelines, forms and training sessions are provided prior to clinics.