Bethanie Hemingway grew up in Central New York and has devoted her life's work to building community and streamlining access to justice for people in need. Bethanie is the Director of Community Engagement at Volunteer Lawyers Project CNY (VLPCNY), where she has taken up the role of community organizing in addition to her many other functions within pro bono affairs at the organization.
She notes collaboration has been the key component in her community organizing efforts. A main goal of these efforts is to tackle the NYS immigrant influx. VLPCNY partners with organizations like the Erie County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project, the Legal Aid Society of Rochester, and JustCause to recruit, train, and support pro bono volunteer attorneys interested in accepting immigration cases. Teamwork in this legal area is needed, especially in nonprofit management and community building to bridge societal inequities.
Bethanie's various community roles include participation in the local Human Leadership Council and assisting in organizing community forums for The Volunteer Lawyers Project CNY to identify ways to better support and collaborate with partner agencies. Bethanie also frequently attends local events and festivals to connect with community members who may benefit from VLPCNY's services.
When asked to encapsulate her career experience into one word Bethanie chose "evolving." She has a true connection to her community - a community she has helped to mobilize and thrive. Bethanie expresses gratitude for being immersed in the civil legal services space, a space that requires humility, resolution, and grit. Moreover, the results of her efforts are impressive and inspiring. Bethanie's commitment to helping New Yorkers in need shows through her enthusiasiam and apparent knack for community leadership - both admirable traits for such critical work.
