Events
Whatcom County Civil Rights Project (WCRP)
Founded in the fall of 2001, the Whatcom Civil Rights Project (WCRP) provides assistance and advocacy to victims of discrimination in Whatcom and neighboring counties. The WCRP is a joint project of the Whatcom Human Rights Task Force, L.A.W. Advocates, and Fairhaven College, Western Washington University.
Students trained through taking a class conduct the intake interviews with victims. After the intake interview, the students prepare a memo for the Attorney Review Panel that contains a summary of relevant facts and identifies possible legal claims. The students present the case orally to the panel. If the case is selected, it is then paired with a volunteer attorney who will undertake representation of the victim.
Whatcom Human Rights Task Force volunteers also assist in the intake interviews. They serve as advocates for the victims of alleged civil rights violations and help to provide the victims with non-legal resources.
presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or legally protected conduct (such as free speech). In general, the WCRP does not handle cases involving criminal prosecutions, traffic violations, divorce or child custody, landlord–tenant disputes, or wills.
Civil rights violations may include discrimination based on a legally protected characteristic such as race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, familial status, marital status and/or the
PRACTICA
378e WCRP Practicum
J. Helling 2-5 credits
W 5:00-5:50pm FA314
Working in conjunction with the Whatcom Human Rights Taskforce, LAW Advocates and Fairhaven College, the Whatcom Civil Rights Project (WCRP) provides legal assistance and advocacy to victims of discrimination. Trained WCRP students interview victims and write legal memos on potential cases. Students are trained in the Whatcom Civil Rights Project class, so they must take that class before (or concurrently with) taking this practicum.
Volunteer Advocates also assist in the intake interviews, focusing on the non-legal needs of the party harmed. Under the direction of the Whatcom Human rights Taskforce, volunteers prepare an Advocacy Plan for each case following the intake interview. Volunteers are trained in the volunteer training offered once per quarter. Volunteers can sign up for the practicum even if they have not had the training before as they receive it during the quarter.
In this practicum both legal interviewers and advocates will take a weekly three hour shift at the WCRP to conduct intake interviews throughout the quarter. Students then write a summary of the facts and identify possible legal claims in their memoranda. They meet with the instructor (and fellow students) to discuss the case. Finally, students present the case orally before the Attorney Review Panel.
Credit for WCRP Practicum
Advocates receive 2 credits for quarter
Legal Interviewers receive 3 credits for quarter
If students wish to earn more credits, they must arrange in advance with the instructor to complete additional projects for the WCRP. Generally, there are 5 students and 5 volunteers accepted to the practicum per quarter.
378f Court Watch
Helling Credits Vary
W 4:00-4:50pm FA314
The Whatcom County Court Watch's (WCCW) mission is to encourage equal treatment for victims of domestic violence while students and the community learn about the judicial system through observation. The Whatcom Court Watch course is designed to:
- Train student and community observers to watch protection order hearings.
- Provide feedback to interested parties on judicial proceedings.