Page 36 - Briefcase V35 Number 1

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

ANTI-BULLYING SUMMIT
Hundreds of young students pledged to combat
bullying, discrimination and negative stereotypes at
the Anti-Defamation League's 10th annual “Beau and
Abe Merfish No Place for Hate Youth Summit” in
November at the University of Houston Law Center.
“I'm very thankful the Law Center was able to host
this event, because there is no place for hate,” Law
SERVICE FIRST Center Dean Leonard M. Baynes said in his welcoming

Before attending their first law school class, University of Houston Law remarks. “We are in very difficult times, where the
Center students started their semester by giving back to the community. discourse and discussion about different issues has
changed remarkably at the national and local level.
First-year students, administrators and professors spent time at a number
of community service events in August to kick off the school year. “Hate is destructive,” he added. “It goes against our
“Lawyers are very blessed and have so many opportunities, and they better nature. Everyone wants to be treated fairly and
equally. Everyone deserves respect no matter what
often are leaders in our communities,” said Dean Leonard M. Baynes, their background is, no matter what their gender is,
who worked alongside the others on the various service projects. “It is so no matter what their race is, no matter what their
important for us who are lawyers to give back to our communities. immigrant status is, no matter what their sexual
“Our Community Service project for first-year students sets a good orientation is.”
example for our students in terms of providing support to the community After opening remarks, students from private and
as they enter the legal profession.” public schools broke up into groups to further develop
Students participated in a variety of events, starting with Mayor Sylvester skills to identify and interrupt bullying on their
Turner’s “Back 2 School Fest” at Hofheinz Pavilion on Aug. 13. The event respective campuses.
was hosted by the University of Houston and offered school supplies, “This year’s summit helped more than 300 students
immunizations, uniforms and health screenings to students in the and 70 educators learn strategies for recognizing
community. and responding to bullying and also helped them
Law Center students received valuable hands-on legal experience at brainstorm creative ways to continue to make their
several events, working with a variety of clients with immigration issues. schools No Place for Hate,” said ADL Southwest
Students also partnered with the Houston Bar Association for a Veterans Regional Director Dayan Gross. “In today’s climate of
Clinic on Aug. 19 and a General Legal Clinic on Aug. 20. The final event at escalating levels of hate towards minorities, ADL plays
the Houston Food Bank on Aug. 20 drew nearly 200 Law Center students a critical role where students and teachers can envision
who spent the afternoon preparing meals for those in need. a more respectful America and break down stereotypes
“These community projects offer a great opportunity for new UHLC before they become a source of hatred.”
students to connect with the Houston community at large, as well as each The event was sponsored by the Albert and Ethel
other,” Associate Dean for Student Affairs Sondra Tennessee said. “Year Herzstein Charitable Foundation, BNSF Railway, the
after year, students have commented about how much they have enjoyed Brown Foundation, H-E-B Tournament of Champions,
participating in these events, whether it’s at the HBA Veterans Clinic or Marathon Oil Corporation, the Sonnie Schepps
the Houston Food Bank. Each project is rewarding in its own way.” Robinson Foundation, Spectra Energy and Sysco.

34 Briefcase 2017