Outreaches throughout the City of Edmonton are a central aspect of the Legal Education/Reform Project. They allow us to meet people where they are at - at community centres, cooperatives and gathering places where they feel welcomed and safe. During these outreaches we provide legal information and can open files to represent individuals in Civil Court for matters with a value of less than $25,000 and we can represent individuals in Criminal Court for summary trial offences.

Our aims with our outreaches are several:

The first is community building. By participating with organizations that also have goals of serving impoverished individuals we build important relationships that help up to better understand the needs of the people we serve.

Second, whether or not an individual has a legal question on a particular day we want to communicate to our most disadvantaged citizens that they are valued by us, that their participation in the justice system is valuable, and that we are honoured to work with them. It is hoped that with regular contact in weekly and bi-weekly outreaches a rapport is developed and can be a framework for any support that we may provide in their dealings within the justice system.

Third, and certainly not least, is our desire to make legal information and assistance available to our marginalised citizens. This is provided in several ways. An individual may chose to utilize our written materials, which are made available at each outreach, or they may have a question that is not addressed by these. In such a case, our volunteers will investigate the legal question and contact the individual within 3 business days. Further, we are able to offer representation in court, for both civil and criminal matters, provided that the matter to be dealt with is within the scope of our mandate.

The following are a list of the current outreaches that Legal Education/Reform has in place. Some have been in existence for over a decade, while our newest outreach welcomed us to provide services within the last year.

• The Bissell Centre
• Boyle Street Co-op
• Crossroads
• Herb Jamieson Centre for Men/Hope Mission
• Kindred House
• Mustard Seed
• Strathcona Youth Co-op

THE BISSELL CENTRE
10527 - 96 Street, Edmonton, AB T5H 0K2
The BISSELL CENTRE offers a wide rang of services to members of Edmonton’s inner-city and the wider community. These services include, but are not limited to:

• independent living support for individuals living with severe, persistent mental illness.
• family support for expectant mothers and parents of young children
• employment services
• the OUR VOICE street magazine
• daily drop-in centre

Student Legal Services provides a one-hour, weekly outreach every Thursday at the BISSELL CENTRE drop-in centre, all year long (excluding December and April).

Student Legal Services provides a one-hour, weekly outreach every Tuesday at the BOYLE STREET CO-OP drop-in centre all year long (excluding December and April).

CROSSROADS is an inner-city social services agency that offers alternatives, support, and hope to children and adults involved in, or at risk of involvement in prostitution. CROSSROADS works through: support and follow-up, transitional housing, prevention, information, education, and street and community outreach. Through community outreach, workers become familiar with individuals engaging in prostitution. Staff provide information on sex offender,; street safety and health, counselling and referrals, beverages, snacks and warm clothing.

Student Legal Services volunteers participate in the outreach van activities year round, in addition to providing legal information.

Student Legal Services provides a one-hour, weekly outreach every Wednesday at the HERB JAMIESON CENTRE drop-in centre all year long (excluding December and April).

KINDRED HOUSE is a safe and supportive place for women and transgender people supporting themselves on the streets. Run by the Boyle McCauley Health Centre, the house provides a place to eat, rest, wash, receive nursing care and first aid, and connect with legal support. KINDRED HOUSE is a non-judgmental place to seek support. It is an example of harm-reduction strategies in action.

Student Legal Services volunteers provide a weekly outreach at KINDRED HOUSE on Thursdays all year long (excluding December and April).

Helps meet the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of people in the inner city; offers community chaplaincy, community events, Edmonton Community Correctional Chaplaincy, meels services, and a Personal Assistance Centre with clothing, emergency food, household goods, personal hygiene items.

Student Legal Services provides a one-hour, weekly outreach every Monday night at THE MUSTARD SEED all year long (excluding December and April).

Strathcona Youth Co-op
10325 - 83 Avenue, Edmonton, AB T6E 2C6
Phone: (780) 496-5947 Fax: (780) 944-5566

The Old Strathcona Youth Co-operative, situated in the heart of Edmonton's arts district, is a street level, multi-agency team established to contribute support to a community of youth around the Whyte Avenue area. The Youth Co-op is dedicated to becoming a flexible, street level resouce concerned with securing the safety, self-worth and dignity of youth. It is our goal to have resources which are easily accessible and which operate as a viable network with youth around the Whyte Avenue area.

Student Legal Services provides a one-hour, weekly outreach every Tuesday night at STRATHCONA YOUTH CO-OP all year long (excluding December and April).