Cooley Law School Homeless Assistance and Prevention Project

Cooley Law School students and Assistant Dean Cynthia Ward provide pro bono legal services and assistance each term to homeless and low-income individuals at Open Door Ministry in downtown Lansing. Open Door Ministry is a charitable organization housed at Central United Methodist Church across from the State Capitol Building. The organization's primary focus is on emergency situations, and its overall mission is to provide sustenance, counseling, assistance and love to those who find themselves in difficult circumstances. Third-year Cooley student Shane Goodale introduced the idea of having students help the homeless as part of a class service project in 2009. The project has evolved into Cooley's Homeless Assistance and Prevention Project. Joining Shane (seated) in serving lunch one day recently, are (from left) Assistant Dean and Professor Cynthia Ward, Open Door Ministry of Downtown Lansing Executive Director Chris Bobier, and lunch helpers Dave Neubecker, Leora Stutes, Gregg Stafford, Dennis Ranville, and Patricia Button.