Our Mission

LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE: JUSTICE, EMPOWERMENT, VOICE

The Mission in Action

Justice for Children and Youth believes that children and youth must be recognized as individual and equal rights-holders, deserving of special protections under the law. As a legal clinic, Justice for Children and Youth provides direct legal assistance in all areas of children's law to eligible young people in 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.

We also believe that young people require encouragement to identify and articulate their own needs; that families need support in fulfilling their duties as primary advocates for their children; that children, parents and youth-serving agencies need information about legal rights of children and youth and resources available to them; and that agencies and institutions which serve children and youth must be accountable for the quality of services they provide. We work to further Canada’s compliance with its obligations to children under international law, in particular with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Justice for Children and Youth advocates for systemic reform and as well, monitors and responds to current developments and proposed changes to the laws which affect children and youth. A wide range of publications and legal materials are maintained for public use.

Justice for Children and Youth believes in involving young people in its work.

About Justice for Children and Youth

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. 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, students 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.