All Saints: Drop-In Legal Clinic

Project Type: Public Legal Education (presentations, workshops, podcasts, brochures, blogs, etc.)

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

Positions Available: 2

About All Saints:

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 our drop-in participants are experiencing or have experienced homelessness, physical and/or mental illness including addiction, and other challenges. Open four days a week, our 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. We provide clothing, toiletries, and harm reduction kits to all who ask. We also provide takeout meals, and serve approximately 800 meals each week.

Project Details:

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, 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).

In addition, the students can deliver one presentation during the placement, on a legal issue to be chosen with drop-in clients. The students may produce written materials to be distributed to interested individuals who are unable to attend the sessions. Some clients would also like help applying for pardons. Staff will be present at the drop-in each week, and are available to attend all presentations to help the students effectively deliver their presentations to the audience. The lawyer supervisor will attend the mock and actual presentations.

COVID-19 Note:

Attendance at the drop-in must take place in person, as long as this is permitted by university and public health guidelines. While at the drop-in, students will be required to follow All Saints’ COVID-19 protocols: medical grade masks must be worn at all times, physical distancing must be observed, and there cannot be any eating or drinking. The space will be ventilated.

Will the student(s) be expected to show up for regular shifts each week, or is the schedule flexible?

From All Saints’ website, the Drop-in Hours are: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 8:30 am to 2:30 pm; Wednesday: 10:30 am to 3 pm. The students must be present during these hours, although All Saints will determine whether the students should show up for regular shifts (i.e. every Monday morning) or on a flexible basis within the drop-in hours.

Research and preparing the PLE session can be done virtually and on a flexible schedule.

Requirements and Expectations:

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.

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

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.