On October 5th, the Massachusetts Senate voted to override Governor Healey’s veto of the Civics Project Trust Fund. 

This vote, coupled with the Massachusetts’ House vote the week before, officially reconfirms the Commonwealth’s investment in civic education for the upcoming school year. The FY24 budget increased the Civics Project Trust Fund by 25% to $2,500,000.

“This victory is a testament to the widespread support and importance of civic education for our students,” said Discovering Justice Executive Director Matt Wilson, who is the Advocacy Chair of the Massachusetts Civic Learning Coalition, a group of 40+ civic education organizations and supporters in the Commonwealth.

In July, the Legislature voted to increase funding to the Trust Fund by $500,000 for the second year in a row. The increase this year was vetoed by Governor Healey who proposed a $500,000 cut to the Trust Fund. You can read more about the override vote in this CommonWealth Magazine article.

The override restores funding for civic education and will support:

• An increased number of local grants for school districts to support civic education 
• Professional Development for our civics teachers through the Professional Learning Pathways Program 
• Development of “Investigating History,” civics curriculum for Grades 3 and 4
• Civic Showcases to highlight the projects of 8th graders and high school students

Discovering Justice currently works with the Boston, Chelsea, Dennis-Yarmouth, Hopkinton, Springfield, and West Springfield school districts, all which have received funds from the Civics Project Trust Fund. 

Thanks to all the Discovering Justice supporters who sent notes to their Senators and Representatives encouraging their support for civic education.

Educate Youth About the Judicial System

Meet with middle school student attorneys weekly to examine the workings of the judicial system, explore the ideals of justice, and prepare them to argue a case before a real judge, a jury, or appellate panel in a courthouse at the end of the semester. We have a high need for volunteers in Brockton, Framingham, Lowell, Medford, and Springfield.

• Position: Legal Mentor
• Time Commitment: 11 weeks, 90 min/week, 1x/week
• Experience: Legal background and/or JD preferred, but not required
• Training : Discovering Justice provides a 2-hour orientation and curriculum including lesson plans, corresponding slide decks, case materials, and teaching tools

Explore History, Architecture, and Justice

Guide community organizations, college students, and interested members of the public on a one-hour tour of the John Joseph Moakley U.S Courthouse. Highlight the workings of the courthouse and how the architecture and art reflect the aspirations and challenges of justice and our democracy.

• Position: Tour Docent
• Time Commitment: 1-2 weekdays/month between 9:00 am-4 pm, 60-minute tours, as needed
• Experience: No experience necessary
• Training: Orientation from Courthouse Programs Manger, tour shadowing

Guide Grades K-12 students through a field trip in the John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse. Volunteers will interact with students and facilitate engaging activities and discussions around justice. Every field trip includes a courthouse tour and one additional activity of your choice. The additional activities for students are either meeting with a judge, courtroom activity about justice, or observing court proceedings. Therefore, this person must be able to stay the whole 90 minutes and support these activities. Lastly, volunteers may be asked to help during lunchtime in addition to supporting getting students through security.

• Position: Field Trip Volunteer
• Time Commitment: 1-2 weekdays/week between 9:30 am-4 pm, 90 minutes
• Experience: Interest and background working with students preferred
• Training: Orientation from Courthouse Programs Manager, field trip shadowing

Inspire Students to Advocate for Change

Tell your story of advocacy that will inspire young students participating in our Children Discovering Justice elementary civics curriculum to take action on issues that matter to them.

• Time Commitment: 30-minute Zoom interview
• Experience: Experience participating in local activism and advocacy, such as movements, campaigns, protests, etc. (Ages 6-26 preferred)
• Process: We will share all videos for approval before use and credit you in our curriculum

“We are excited about the fall and for the opportunity for students to take on these new cases,” said Matt Wilson, Discovering Justice Executive Director. “We appreciate the work of Lynn Bonesteel, Dan Less, David Barry, Jamie Pirog, Siri Carr, James Bor-Zale, and Gwen Walker for all their hard work getting us ready for September.”

In addition, staff is preparing a set of orientations in Boston, Brockton, Lowell, Worcester, and Springfield for the 150 legal mentors and teacher coordinators who will be teaching the new case to middle school students.

For legal professionals, school administrators, or teachers interested in this Fall’s Mock Trial Program, contact Senior Outreach and Recruitment Associate Malia Brooks at mbrooks@discoveringjustice.org.

Open Positions

Civic Education Advocacy Fellowship

The Fellow will work with the Executive Director to engage civic education groups and their constituents in public education and advocacy work to increase Massachusetts’ investment in civic education programs. The Fellow will work with the Executive Director to coordinate meetings with teachers, students, civic leaders, and their legislators to educate them about the civic education being done in their districts and to encourage more resources and support for these programs. Experience with managing events and recruiting and organizing volunteers is required.

Communications Fellowship

The Communications Fellow will work with the Executive Director and Outreach & Recruitment Senior Associate to develop and implement a social and earned media outreach strategy to promote the organization’s civic education programs to volunteers, donors, and community members. Through collaboration with program managers, the Fellow will create and share content including, but not limited to, flyers, videos, graphics, and social media content. The Fellow will also help develop the organization’s electronic and physical communications that frequently broadcast the organization’s activities and programs to partners. Adobe Premiere Pro and Canva, or similar movie and graphic design editing experience preferred.

Children Discovering Justice Internship

During the 23-24 school year, Discovering Justice will be working with over 100 teachers across 20 schools, in at least five districts in Massachusetts (Boston, Chelsea, Springfield, West Springfield, and Dennis/Yarmouth). The Elementary Civics Intern will support the Education Program Director and K-5 Curriculum Developer by conducting in-person classroom visits and observations, researching, gathering data and feedback from teachers and students, and implementing edits based on educator feedback. This internship will be supervised by Victoria Suri, the K-5 Curriculum Developer, and supported by the Education Director. This Fellowship is ideal for a graduate student studying education, human development, and/or civic studies.

Logistics and Application

The Fall 2023 Fellowship will run from September 11 to December 21. Fellows will work two days a week in person at the Moakley Courthouse in Boston, and three days remotely. Limited part-time opportunities are available, but preference is given to candidates with full-time availability.

Fellows will receive a stipend of $3,500 for their term (a proportionate stipend with part-time Fellowships). This Fellowship is ideal for a recent graduate or a college student taking a gap semester or year. Please specify your Fellowship(s) of interest in your email or in your cover letter. To apply, submit a cover letter and resume to Malia Brooks at careers@discoveringjustice.org

Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Women, and LGBTQIA+ people are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Moakley Courthouse is open to all colleges and universities (including law schools) interested in this invaluable educational experience. For more information, reach out to Courthouse Programs Associate Kiara Batista at kbatista@discoveringjustice.org. To book a visit, fill out this Court Visit Request Form.