Washtenaw County Research Binder by Carys

Washtenaw County Research Binder by Carys - January 2024 Scholarship Essay

When I first received an internship at the Washtenaw Courthouse for Judge Arianne Slay, It was impossible for me to imagine what I would be doing in her office. I assumed that I would organize files, make coffee, sit in the courtroom, watch the proceedings, and maybe one day be brave enough to share my own opinions. Thankfully, this internship has surpassed all my expectations. Not only did I end up accomplishing all of these things but the project I was given ended up being so much bigger and more meaningful than anything I could have imagined.
I was tasked with compiling a list of all of the resources we have in Washtenaw County. The idea was to create a one-stop place to help people who may already be in a hard place, whether that was for food, housing, legal aid, medical assistance, etc. To succeed in this project, I emailed and called numerous places in the community to make sure that the people I wanted to help would be able to go and not be turned away. I researched what insurance places would take, whether they would accept past felons, women with children, people of all faiths, etc.
I became increasingly interested in the programs we had in Washtenaw County Jail. Most inmates at the County Jail only serve a maximum of two years. When they get out they are often left with no family support, no housing, jobs, or access to food or clothing; all things the binder I created can help fix. Throughout the creation of this binder, I was face to face with questions of, How do we help those in our community, especially those most vulnerable? How do we ensure all people have access to basic necessities? How does basic generosity create a more kind and caring community? My hope is that this binder will bring hope to others
If this internship has taught me anything, it is that being kind does not cost you a thing. Some people may think that I will begin to become desensitized to the awful things that I hear happen each day in court. However, the people within the courthouse bring me hope, especially Judge Arianne Slay. She truly believes in people and the good they can do given a chance. She believes that some people are just down on their luck and need a little extra help; help that not all people are willing to give. Every day I am in that office, I feel renewed by the act of service, the good we can do, and the communities we can serve.I know that God has given me the gift of giving and my purpose is to serve.