Equal Step focuses on vulnerable residents
Photo by Tingey Injury Law Firm. Free Use Domain. Unsplash
By Cecilia Nasmith
The Help Centre and Northumberland Community Legal Centre announce a new program that strengthens access to justice for vulnerable residents, with a priority focus on seniors and survivors of domestic violence.
Equal Step: Supporting Equity Through Legal Education and Navigation is a two-year initiative made possible with $204,000 in funding through the Law Foundation of Ontario.
“Access to justice begins with awareness of legal rights and potential issues, but also requires the ability to overcome barriers such as technology challenges, lack of government identification documents, complex systems and unstable life circumstances,” the announcement said.
“Equal Step supports individuals to navigate legal processes, complete forms, access benefits and connect to the programs that prevent situations from escalating or compounding.”
This co-ordinated community-based model combines legal education, legal-system navigation and wrap-around supports, delivered to clients in plain-language information, assistance with applications and documentation, guidance through legal processes as well as facilitated referrals to legal and social services.
Help Centre Executive Director Kim Lauder called it “a powerful evolution in how we support individuals who feel overwhelmed or excluded from the legal system.
“This funding allows us to build a seamless bridge between legal knowledge and real-world action, ensuring clients are not navigating these systems alone. It is about dignity, equity and restoring confidence.”
“Equal Step significantly enhances our ability to respond to increasing legal needs,” Northumberland Community legal Centre Executive Director Lois Cromarty added.
“By working in close partnership with The Help Centre, we are delivering a holistic trauma-informed approach that removes barriers and supports clients to move forward with clarity and confidence.”
The program runs through October 2027, with a focus on empowerment, navigation and sustainable access to equitable legal services.
