Youth Civics Initiative

Youth Civics Initiative Programs

If you are interested in volunteering or learning more about these projects, please click on the program's title below or reach out to Sabina Zeenat, szeenat@mnbars.org, 651-789-3752. 

THE READING PROGRAM
For many years, RCBA volunteers have been visiting elementary school classrooms to read an engaging children’s book related to the legal system, and to answer questions about being a lawyer and how the legal system works.

LAW DAY ESSAY AND ART CONTEST
The RCBA annual essay and art competition is for students in fifth through twelfth grades on the Law Day theme published by the American Bar Association. 

SPEAKER BANK PROJECT
RCBA has partnered with the MN Justice Foundation's Street Law Program to speak to high school students on various legal and civic topics. Members can also invite students for field trips to their firms, courtrooms, etc. 

Articles

• RCBA Launches Youth Civics Initiative By Judge Jessica Palmer-Denig
  
• Getting Involved in the Youth Civics Initiative By 2022-23 RCBA President Kenya Bodden

History

The RCBA has a long history of supporting civics education for children in Ramsey County. For many years, RCBA volunteers have been visiting elementary school classrooms to read an engaging children’s book related to the legal system, and to answer questions about being a lawyer and how the legal system works. The RCBA also conducts an annual essay and art competition for students in fifth through twelfth grades on the Law Day theme published by the American Bar Association. Over the years almost 600 students in Ramsey County have participated by submitting essays and art on many important topics. The winners of the contest are celebrated at an award ceremony at the Ramsey County Courthouse with their parents and family. A Judge of the district court would host the ceremony with other judges and RCBA members gracing the occasion.

RCBA’s Youth Civics Initiative, founded in 2022, aims to continue these two signature programs of the erstwhile RCBA’s Youth and Law Committee. In addition to these two programs, the initiative has a renewed interest in reaching out to school children to promote understanding of our government systems and help them aspire to become lawyers of tomorrow. With this goal in sight, the Youth Civics Initiative has partnered with the MN Justice Foundation’s Street Law program for the Speaker Bank project, where members of the initiative will work with the Steet Law coordinators to go and speak to Street Law students in high schools on various legal and civic topics. Members can also invite students for field trips to their firms, courtrooms, etc. We are continually looking for avenues to reach out to school students and engage them in civics education.