lbc-echo-spring-2022 - 10

By Laura Forwood ('22)
riminal Justice students at Lancaster Bible
College | Capital Seminary & Graduate School
are getting real-world experience as they help
impact local communities.
LBC | Capital's Center for Law & Justice officially began
in fall 2020 under the direction of Dr. John Churchville,
Criminal Justice Program Director. Its members are
comprised primarily of those in the Criminal Justice
major who are also carrying a Legal Studies minor. This
in-house internship experience has been crafted over
the past few years as the program has become more
established.
The Center for Law & Justice exists to provide free
legal assistance to those in need, while educating
and equipping students with tangible professional
skills and real-world experience. The Center partners
with existing legal aid organizations in a joint effort
to serve both local and nationwide client bases. Thus
far, the Center has collaborated with Christian Legal
Aid, Christian Legal Clinics of Philadelphia and the
Pennsylvania Pardon Project.
The Pardon Project assists people in getting past
convictions erased from their records, enabling them
to have a new beginning in life. Tobey Oxholm, Esq.,
Director of the Pardon Project, says, " You're holding
back the whole community by not allowing people
to reach their potential. [Pardon applicants] get to
describe who they are today and where they're going
tomorrow. "
LBC | Capital students get regular experience interacting
with clients, enabling them to tell their stories. Social
work student Alycia Eglauer ('24) had the opportunity
to assist an individual in applying for a pardon hearing,
Student volunteers work on
projects for the new Center
for Law & Justice.
Photos by Laura Forwood ('22)
enabling her to use her knowledge from the classroom
to come alongside a hurting woman whose past
continued to have ramifications on her present-day
opportunities. " The Pardon Project shows God's grace
and that forgiveness is possible, " Eglauer shared.
Additionally, Oxholm recognized Lancaster Bible
College as one of the statewide leaders of the project,
adding that the qualifications to help others are rather
simple. " You don't need to be a lawyer; you just need to
be a caring person (who) believes in second chances, "
Oxholm explained.
Christian Legal Aid, a division of Christian Legal Society,
maintains a volunteer-operated helpline to connect
people nationwide with free legal services. LBC | Capital
students take part regularly in speaking with clients
and researching pro-bono resources on their behalf.
Aaron Rega ('23) spoke of striving for excellence in the
clinic. " I was scared to make mistakes, but [the Center]
is a safe environment where you can do just that and
refine your craft prior to entering the professional field, "
he said.
Likewise, students who volunteer for the Center for
Law & Justice gain invaluable learning experience while
serving others. Benjamin Snyder ('23) enjoys being
a part of meeting this need. " Everyone will refer you
elsewhere or passes you to another person, and we
have an opportunity to actually file legal documents
on behalf of others who need practical help, " Snyder
shared. " These experiences and formal training have
given me a much more well-rounded approach to the
legal field as I look toward the future. "
Want to learn more about LBC | Capital's Criminal Justice
program? Visit lbc.edu/criminal-justice.
10 ECHO
50 ECHO
http://www.lbc.edu/criminal-justice
lbc-echo-spring-2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of lbc-echo-spring-2022
