Ashley Vargas

Class of 2021
Political Science
Hennepin County Attorney

This past summer, I had the immense privilege of partnering with the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office. I was given the opportunity to work on several different projects during my time, the biggest one being creating care packages for domestic abuse victims. I noticed that many women, particularly women of color, would come into the Domestic Abuse Service Center without many basic necessities. With funding that I received through different departments at Macalester, I was able to raise enough money to buy such items and create care packages for women and children.

A partnership between NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office also began during my time there. This partnership served to provide knowledge of legal issues for the African American community that NorthPoint serves. I helped organize the very first session – a Child Support Summit. We organized it so the Attorney’s Office could bring in the Volunteer Lawyer Network and Child Support Officer. Individuals in the respective legal field will be readily available to answer questions regarding ongoing child support cases.

On top of those projects, I was also able to attend law clerk trainings, CLE courses, and attend different trials and hearings. I had the privilege of sitting in on interviews with victims who were navigating the legal system and I am thankful because they allowed me to be in their presence during such moments. I learned a lot from this fellowship, and I certainly know I plan to work in the criminal justice field myself.