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It’s something we don’t think twice about saying to the brave men and women who volunteered to serve our country. But are we following through?
As members of the inaugural Veterans Law Practicum, our students are committed to doing just that.
Launched in fall 2023, the Veterans Law Practicum is an opportunity for Cornell Law students to translate their knowledge from the classroom to the real work by providing members of our local veteran community with information, legal advice, and representation.
Right now, our current cohort of 8 students are working one-on-one with veterans to help them access medical care and benefits, secure service-related disability compensation, and file discharge upgrades.
“When we talk with clients there is a feeling of relief that there is something that can be done about what’s happened to them. They know that there is someone who will be there to walk them through it and give them direction and options.” – Daniel Imakyure ’24, pictured with Michael Gabel (KIA in 2007, Afghanistan) served in the United States Army before attending Cornell Law School. _______________________________________________________________________________
In just a few short months, our students have already impacted real lives by providing dedicated support and attention to issues that have impeded their ability to secure and retain jobs, seek proper medical care, and receive the government benefits they’re entitled to.
Our students are providing a vital service to our community’s veterans. In fact, many veterans earn above the federal poverty guidelines, but don’t have the resources to afford or hire a private attorney.
In Ithaca alone, the need for these services is real! Within the practicum’s first few weeks of operation, more than 30 veterans and their cases were identified, however, we only 5-6 cases could be accepted due to limited resources.
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Your gift today would direct funds to areas that would:
Every gift impacts a life – both of our student learners, and the veterans we owe so much to.
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Help us spread the word! Your gift will support essential, operational costs like printing high-quality flyers, as well as purchasing event materials and supplies like legal information stock cards for our students.
You can cover the cost of transportation for students traveling to meet with current and prospective clients in five local counties. Your gift can help remove this financial burden and grow our local impact.
Your gift will support speaker series, as well as accommodations and food for veterans and experts willing to share their time with our practicum. With your help, we can enrich the course offering and promote hands-on interactions with veterans in their community.
The need among our veterans community far exceeds the number of cases the practicum can support. Your gift will allow our students to take on more complex and varied cases so that we can better support more veterans in need.
Currently, grant funding supports just one full-time faculty member in the Veterans Law Practicum. Your gift can help to support the additional teaching and attorney resources necessary to expand our practicum and serve more clients.
At this time, the Veterans Practicum is funded by a generous grant. With your help, we can expand the practicum into a stable, annual clinic. Your gift will ensure maximum impact in the local veterans community.