Who We Are Justice for Children and Youth provides select legal representation to low-income children and youth in Toronto and vicinity. We are a non-profit legal aid clinic that specializes in protecting the rights of those facing conflicts with the legal system, education, social service or mental health systems. We give summary legal advice, information and assistance to young people, parents (in education matters), professionals and community groups across Ontario. WHAT WE DO We have lawyers that represent and advocate for youth under 18. If you have a legal problem or you have any questions you can call us. We may be able to help you or tell you where you can get help. If you need help with welfare, education, the children’s aid, getting off the street, your family or the criminal law, please call us. Click here for detailed list WHAT WE BELIEVE JUSTICE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH AIMS TO ASSIST AND EMPOWER CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN OBTAINING FAIR AND EQUAL ACCESS TO LEGAL, EDUCATIONAL, MEDICAL AND SOCIAL RESOURCES. Commentary Justice for Children and Youth believes that children and youth must be recognized as individuals under the law. We also believe that, • young people require encouragement to identify and articulate their own needs; • families need support in their role as primary advocates for their children; • that children, parents and helping professionals need information about legal rights of children and youth and resources available to them; and • agencies and institutions which serve children and youth must be accountable for the quality of services they provide. As an advocacy organization, Justice for Children and Youth provides direct legal assistance in all areas of children’s law to eligible children and youth of Toronto and vicinity. In conjunction with legal assistance we provide community outreach and public legal education. Summary legal advice, information and assistance to young people, parents, professionals and community groups are provided on a province wide basis. Justice for Children and Youth advocates for law and policy reform and as well, monitors and responds to current developments and proposed changes to the laws which affect children. A wide range of publications and legal materials are maintained for public use. HOW WE ARE ORGANIZED Justice for Children and Youth is the operating name of the Canadian Foundation for Children, Youth & the Law, Inc. The Foundation is an Ontario non-share capital corporation with charitable status. It is administered by a 15 member Board of Directors who are elected at our Annual General meeting usually held in October. The corporation itself is made up of members who pay a yearly fee or one life-time fee (sustaining member). Justice for Children and Youth has a small staff of 4 lawyers and 2 support staff. In addition we have many volunteers and others who work on specific projects on a contract basis. In addition to representing clients, our lawyers also perform public legal education and law reform work. One lawyer spends half of the time working on community development projects and outreach. HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED? Your involvement is vital to the continuing success of the clinic. We need your input to better serve children and youth in need. Your financial support and active participation are essential to the protection of young people’s rights. DONATE JOIN VOLUNTEER DONATE All donations to the Foundation are tax deductible. You can send a donation payable to the Canadian Foundation for Children, Youth & the Law to the Foundation at: 415 Yonge Street, Suite 1203 Toronto, Ontario M5B 2E7 JOIN You may become involved directly by becoming a member and joining one of our committees. To become a member, complete the member application form [link to form] and mail it to us with the appropriate fee: • Individual member ($20.00 per year) • Organization ($50.00 per year) • Sustaining member ($100.00 for lifetime membership) • Youth member (under 18, free) VOLUNTEER You may become involved directly by joining one of the following committees: • POLICY AND POSITIONS COMMITTEE monitors and responds to existing and proposed legislation involving children’s rights. It formulates positions on issues relating tot he mental health, education, children’s services and youth justice systems. The Committee meets approximately once a month at the clinic’s offices. • COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE initiates special outreach projects, often in conjunction with the Youth Action Committee. Some of the recent projects it has worked on include peer mediation and street youth legal services. Members become involved in the planning of individual projects and meet on an ad hoc basis as required by the project. • YOUTH ACTION COMMITTEE is composed of young people who serve in an advisory role to the Board, and who initiate and carry out special projects. The Committee currently meets on Tuesday evenings at the clinic’s offices. • FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE aims to raise funds in a variety of ways to support the organization’s important work. IF YOU WANT TO JOIN ANY OF THESE COMMITTEES JUST CALL US AT (416) 920-1633 OR CIRCLE THE COMMITTEE NAME ON THE MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM [link to page] AND MAIL IT TO US.