The Society for Children and Youth of BC announces the launch of a new Child and Youth Lawyer Initiative in British Columbia. This initiative is made possible by funding from The Law Foundation of British Columbia and The Law Foundation of Ontario Access to Justice Fund with additional financial support from The Notary Foundation of British Columbia, The Law Society of British Columbia and The Office of the Representative for Children and Youth of BC.
This initiative is to establish a Child and Youth Legal Centre in order to provide direct legal services to children and youth in British Columbia. Children and youth in BC will be able to access legal services relating to: family matters, child protection, and other children and youth law matters. There will be an emphasis on addressing the needs of immigrant and refugee, street involved, LGBTQ and Indigenous children and youth.
“Every young person in British Columbia has a right to protection from discrimination and exploitation. When a young person’s rights aren’t being upheld and legal protection is required, it is our shared responsibility as a society to assist them”, says Stephanie Howell, Executive Director of the Society for Children and Youth of BC.
“So often the most vulnerable in our society do not get the representation they need in the legal system. The Law Foundation of BC has always advocated for a just society and providing legal services for some of our most vulnerable citizens is integral to our mission. By supporting this program, we hope to begin to meet the need for legal services in BC for children and youth, evaluate its work, and aim to provide long term legal support for children and youth in BC.” – Eileen Vanderburgh, Chair, the Law Foundation of BC.
The Centre is now open. The office will be based in the Lower Mainland but its services will be available throughout BC.
For more information, please contact the Society for Children and Youth of BC by e-mailing CYLC@scyofbc.org, or call 778-657-5544 or toll free 1-877-462-0037
