About Ferias Legales
Ferias Legales is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization committed to educating, assisting, and facilitating community empowerment through free legal resources for the underserved communities. As such, Ferias Legales organizes and supports: Legal Fairs (consisting of confidential consultations with attorneys in different practice areas); legal workshops, including know-your-rights “charlas” and panel discussions; Naturalization Fairs; and DACA seminars.
Ferias Legales strives to ensure that all persons have access to free resources by hosting regular events, often as much as four times a week. Knowing the barriers in language and transportation within communities, Ferias Legales travels to different cities and locations to take free legal and/or mental health services to underserved communities while ensuring attorneys and experts are bilingual and/or multilingual.
Additionally, Ferias Legales is proud to support colleges, universities, and law schools by collaborating with undergraduate, graduate, and law students through event organizing, partnerships, and mentorships/volunteer opportunities.
Contact & Location:
- 10919 Lakewood Boulevard, Suite 204, Downey, CA 90241
- Telephone: (213) 800-3582
- Contact Person: Maria Torres, M.A.
Mentorship Purpose
- To connect current undergraduate students in the Rio Hondo Pathway to Law School Program (Mentees) with Mentors holding positions as attorneys and judicial officers.
- Will be effective from the commencement of the Fall Semester to the end of the Spring Semester (one academic year).
- The goal of the program is to advance the professional development of the Mentees as they make their journey through the legal field.
- The Mentor will provide the Mentee with guidance and serve as a resource so as to help professional growth and ensure diversity in the legal field.
- The Mentor and the Mentee will each give and grow in the mentoring process.
- The mentor will have the opportunity to review your accomplishments and challenges, as a reminder of lessons learned.
In sharing your expertise you are leaving a legacy and guiding another’s career path.
Mentorship Model and Expectations
The program shall require three in-person meetings by Mentors and Mentees, per semester, as follows:
For Mentors:
- Act professionally, ethically, and respectful towards Mentee
- Provide guidance, support, and help with Mentee’s professional development
- Stay accessible, committed, and engaged during the length of the program
For Mentees:
- Be responsive to Mentor and courteous of his/her time
- Commit to your development
- Be open to constructive criticism/feedback and ask for it
Participation and Involvement
Both parties are encouraged to maintain continued and open communication during the school year as best fits both Mentor and Mentee (email, in-person, etc) to promote a longstanding and fruitful relationship.
Mentee
Students interested in participating in the Mentorship Program must be enrolled Rio Hondo College students and members of the Pathway to Law School program. Applications are accepted at the beginning of each academic year (Fall – Spring). In order to be considered for the Mentorship program, students must be in academic good standing, be a participating member for two consecutive semesters, and submit a completed application by the deadline. Space is limited and students will be accepted on a first come first serve basis.
All interested students must visit the Counseling Suite (A-203) for application instructions.
Mentors
All prospective Mentors (Attorneys and Judicial Officers) shall complete the “ Mentor Application” by the established deadline and submit it to Ferias Legales
