Among its many programs, the University of Toronto administers the Donner Civic Leadership Fellowships and June Callwood Fellowships in Aboriginal Law.  These Fellowships give students the opportunity to do public interest work full-time during the summers.

On this page, the Donner and Aboriginal Law Fellows describe their experiences during the summer of 2012.

Emilie Lahaie

Callwood Fellow
John Howard Society

The Callwood Fellowship gave me the opportunity to work with The John Howard Society of Toronto, an organization that assists men who have been in conflict with the law. My role with the Native Inmate Liaison Officer Program included assisting with programming for Aboriginal men incarcerated at the Metro West Detention Center. To say experiencing the realities of incarceration and the struggles our clients face upon release to find housing, a job and fight addictions was eye-opening would be an understatement. I did not truly understand the incredible challenges those with a criminal record face on a daily basis. I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to contribute my work to this amazing organization.

 

 

Emily Lahaie (left) at the John Howard Society

Emilie Lahaie (left) at the John Howard Society

Sarah Beamish

Donner Fellow
One Justice Project

One Justice Project works for individual criminal liability for serious violations of economic, social, and cultural rights and environmental law. I supported their work by producing a report on how this liability might operate in the context of the activities of Canada-based transnational mining corporations operating abroad, and by producing a strategy brief presenting recommendations on building support for 1JP's ideas that was based on interviews with business, legal, academic, NGO and political leaders across the country. I also began a law journal article on transnational corporation regulation initiatives that I will complete with my supervisor this fall. This was a personally, professionally and academically rewarding summer, with challenging and absorbing work that regularly reminded me why I went to law school. The Donner Fellowship funding made possible work that will help 1JP establish its presence in Canada, and which will remain a highlight of my legal education.

 

 

Sarah Beamish (left) at One Justice Project

Sarah Beamish (left) at One Justice Project

Mallorie Mallone

Donner Fellow
CCLA

The Donner Fellowship is a unique opportunity for students to engage in cutting-edge legal work that is both personally enriching and of significant value to our communities. For my part, the chance to work side-by-side with leaders in the field of constitutional law and contribute to their legal and public advocacy has been enlightening, exciting and inspiring. I believe that this program is also crucial for organizations that depend on private donations in order to function. I am grateful to the Donner Fellowship for making this experience possible.

Hanna Cho

Donner Fellow
PBLO at Sick Kids

Through the generosity of the Donner Fellowship, I had the privilege of working this summer for Pro Bono Law Ontario at the Hospital for Sick Children. It was an extremely valuable experience which plunged me headlong into the interaction between law, poverty and health care. I was moved by the stories of the Hospital's low income families who struggled not only with the stress of attending to their sick children, but also with language and cultural barriers to knowing and enforcing their rights under the law. It was uniquely rewarding to have worked with lawyers, doctors, nurses and social workers to help remove some of these prohibitive barriers through innovatively integrating legal advocacy into the provision of health care.

Megan Andrews

Donner Fellow
HALCO

Working with immigration lawyers at the HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario has been an incredible opportunity.  I gained invaluable knowledge of Canada’s immigration system, and of the impact that immigration policy changes can have on a vulnerable sector of our society.  The most rewarding part of my experience was working with refugee claimants, who showed immense determination, courage, and optimism despite the difficult circumstances they had faced.

Meaghan Lowe

Donner Fellow
WCEL

The Donner Fellowship enabled me to work in Vancouver at West Coast Environmental Law (WCEL). Because of the limited capacity of not for profit environmental organizations, interns play a pivotal role in the work at WCEL and are involved in the forefront of their legal operations. I was able to gain experience working on some of the most topical Canadian environmental legal issues. I am very thankful for the Donner Fellowship and WCEL for providing me with such a great opportunity.