Mobile legal assist team is on the move for six months
By Bonnie Whitehead
CLIFFORD - The Legal Clinic of Guelph and Wellington County van rolled into Clifford on May 1 and set up shop in the municipal parking lot near the traffic lights to help people navigate the legal system.
Outreach workers Max Leighton and Rose Vandermeer unfolded a table and chairs, set out flyers and brochures and offered free coffee, donuts, literature and information.
This was the first day of the project and they were pleased that within minutes, three people stopped by to welcome them to the community.
The service provides free advice for tenants and helps low income residents with issues regarding Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program, Employment Insurance and CPP Disability denial.
It is a referral service for all areas of the law and can Skype lawyers on the spot or arrange appointments in communities throughout the County of Wellington.
It offers help from the first step to the final phase of residents’ concerns.
The team will be in the area twice a month, every 10 business days, during the next six months.
The organization’s office is at 176 Wyndham St. in Guelph; it can be reached at 1-800-628-9205 or gwlegalclinic@lao.on.ca.
The next van visit to Clifford is set for May 15.
The mobile team is a pilot project is funded by Legal Aid Ontario.
