ESL students at Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute learn about Human Rights law.
OJEN turned 15 this year!
Since 2002, our programs and resources have impacted the lives of hundreds of thousands of young people throughout Ontario. And we’re just getting started! Looking ahead to 2018 and beyond we’re excited about opportunities to expand our justice education initiatives to new youth audiences. We know that providing young people with the legal life skills to navigate their world is one important factor contributing to greater access to justice.
Between now and the end of 2017, we’ll be posting 15 of our most significant achievements – reasons we think you’ll want to give us an extra-special year-end present!
Donate $15 or $150 …or more! Read all 15 reasons why your donation to OJEN will make a difference.
Reason #5
OJEN introduces Ontario’s justice system to newcomers.
“The OJEN program enabled me to see and participate in a legal system I was not familiar with. I witnessed how the Canadian justice system provides more space for creativity and community involvement in the solution of the problems, like in the role of the surety in the bail decision. This was inspiring because my experience with the law in Brazil was very different.”
Cristiane Arnold – participant in Halton Multicultural Council’s Enhanced Language Training
Newcomers to Canada often face a wide range of legal challenges. For those with little knowledge of the language or the justice system, knowing their rights, recognizing when they are dealing with a legal issue and accessing help in an unfamiliar environment can be stressful.
OJEN partners with schools and community organizations that provide ESL classes to provide practical information about employment and human rights law, immigration, housing and other areas of law that they might encounter. Legal professionals act as an important point of contact for referring newcomer youth and their families to legal resources in their communities.
Justice education for newcomers is experiential and interactive, tailored to language and learning levels of the participants. When possible, programs for newcomers are delivered by legal volunteers who have either been newcomers at one time or have backgrounds similar to the audience we are working with.
Justice education for newcomers supports their integration into Canadian society and is an important element in achieving greater access to justice. To support these and other OJEN programs, please donate to our 15th Birthday Campaign.