Discovering Justice’s close partnerships with legal professionals has provided the organization with the capacity and resources to provide top-notch civic education programming to students across the Commonwealth.

Last month, Discovering Justice and the U.S. First Circuit Court agreed to a new and innovative partnership to bring new civic education programs to students in Massachusetts.

“We are excited about our new partnership with the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. Over the past year, the Circuit Court has prioritized civic education as a core component of its work,” said Matt Wilson, Discovering Justice’s Executive Director. “The partnership will bring new energy and perspectives to students across the Commonwealth.”

A significant initiative of the Circuit Court is the development and implementation of a Learning Center at the Moakley Courthouse. The Learning Center will provide educational engagement for a wide audience from students to teachers on their role and that of the courts in our democracy. The Learning Center at the Moakley Courthouse is anticipated to open formally in the fall of 2024.

The First Circuit and Discovering Justice will partner in programming the Learning Center, meeting with students on Field Trips, promoting Courthouse Events, and supporting the Mock Trial and Mock Appeal Programs. Discovering Justice will continue its long partnership with the District Court of Massachusetts which has been a vital partner since the organization’s inception.

This training provided newer docents the opportunity to learn from experienced docents and learn more about the architecture and history of the Moakley Courthouse. Volunteers shared their passion for helping students learn about our justice system and providing positive experiences for students. Our docents brought their expertise, from former librarians, schoolteachers, college professors, and college students!

“I found the training extremely helpful. I learned a lot from the seasoned tour docents and the presentation leaders. The section on culturally responsive facilitation was particularly educational,” said Lynn Bonesteel, former Boston University professor and a recent addition to our team.

During the training, Courthouse Programs Associate Kiara Batista led the new docents as they explored the Moakley and discussed the major themes that are covered in the hour-long tour.

Without volunteer docents, Discovering Justice could not have welcomed over 1,500 members of the public to the courthouse this year, deepening their exposure to the workings of the justice system. Our volunteer tour docents make a world of a difference to our tour program!

To become trained as a volunteer tour docent, sign up here. We look forward to growing our community and providing more members of the public with informative and interactive tours!

On November 25, 2022, the Discovering Justice community lost one of our most dedicated and long-term champions; Gary Spiess, founding board member, former board chair, 2006 gala honoree, and twenty-year supporter.

Recruited by Discovering Justice’s first Board Chair, Jack Regan, Gary brought extensive operational and financial expertise to the Board that would help the new group build a strong organizational foundation for success. According to Jack, “Gary had superb judgment and considered what not to do, equally as important as what to do.”

Excellent at tempering expectations by setting realistic, well-defined, and measurable goals, Discovering Justice benefited greatly from Gary’s wisdom in its early years to its current state.