All Saints: Drop-In Legal Clinic (2 Positions Available)

Area of Law: Human Rights Law -- Clinics/Poverty Law -- Criminal and Quasi-Criminal Law

All Saints Church and Community Centre is committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment while enhancing the well-being of homeless and street-involved individuals. The All Saints Drop-in welcomes people from all walks of life, especially people in need. Many of their drop-in participants are experiencing or have experienced homelessness, physical and/or mental illness including addiction, and other challenges. Open four days a week, their drop-in space is a safe, non-judgmental place where people can have coffee, rest, use washroom facilities, see a nurse or social worker, eat a hot meal, and access telephone, wifi, and computer services. All Saints provide clothing, toiletries, and harm reduction kits to all who ask. They also provide takeout meals, and serve approximately 800 meals each week. To learn more about All Saints, check out their website here: https://allsaintstoronto.com/

In this project, two student volunteers will provide legal information during the drop-in. The students will gather any legal questions and will spend the following 1-2 weeks researching the question (e.g. working on the streets, how the law differentiates sex work and trafficking, navigating the criminal justice system, tenant/landlord disputes, etc.). The lawyer supervisor will approve the accuracy of the information, and then the students will set up a phone call or in-person meeting with the client to deliver legal information only (likely this will occur on a subsequent drop-in session). Staff will be present at the drop-in each week an are available to attend all presentations to help the students effectively deliver their presentations to the audience. 

If needed by All Saints, students will create a plain language resource on a legal issue that is of importance to the drop-in clients. The resource will be approved by the lawyer supervisor before being distributed. 

Time Commitment

The drop-in clinic operates Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm and Wednesday from 10:30 am to 3:00 pm. All Saints would prefer students to commit to a regular weekly time slot within the operation of the clinic. Students are expected to attend the drop-in in-person, however legal research can be completed remotely. 

Required Training

In addition to the PBSC mandatory training, All Saints will provide students with training and background on social issues faced by clientele, as well as teaching about All Saints approach to working with the community (anti-racist/anti-oppression, low barrier, trauma informed, harm reduction approaches). 

Number of Students and Prerequisites

  • How many students? 
    • Two student volunteers (students may be working with students from Lincoln Alexander School of Law or Osgoode Hall Law School)
  • Can first year law students volunteer?
    • First year students are encouraged to apply!
  • Should you be bilingual? 
    • Bilingualism is not an expectation but is always nice to have
  • Any other expectations for this project? ​​
    • Students should understand that the drop-in is a low barrier space; as such, clients may not be sober and may be experiencing mental health difficulties or other challenges during the session. Potential students should think carefully about whether they are able to volunteer in an unpredictable and client-facing environment. ​Preference for experience or interest in social justice or human rights field, working with marginalized communities, particularly sex workers and/or people who use drugs. Experience navigating criminal justice system and accessing resources like legal aid and court support, experience with family law and child welfare would also be an asset.