OJEN’s FLYP program empowers young mothers to navigate the legal system more confidently.
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 #8
OJEN shares practical family law information with young parents.
“OJEN’s Family Law for Young Parents program makes a real difference for these young women. Anything about dealing with the government can be overwhelming. After doing the program they aren’t afraid to go into a court room. They aren’t intimidated by the forms they have to fill out. They aren’t afraid of custody. They’re much more confident about their rights.”
Marion Cozens, Chief Executive Mother, WINGS Maternity Home
Pregnant teens living in group homes or on their own face challenges that have profound impact on their own and their baby’s lives. OJEN’s Family Law for Young Parents (FLYP) program helps them gain the knowledge, skills and confidence to manage the legal aspects of their lives.
The FLYP program is delivered in partnership with organizations supporting expectant and new young mothers. Experiential by design, participants develop advocacy, public speaking, interpersonal, and reasoning skills while learning about the justice system. They are introduced to reliable sources of public legal information (like Community Legal Education Ontario’s Steps to Justice resource) and legal processes they may encounter as parents. They also have the opportunity to connect with family law professionals who act as positive role models and address misconceptions they might have that could lead to conflicts with the justice system.
Understanding the system, developing self-advocacy skills and knowing how to access support can prevent crisis situations from arising. OJEN’s FLYP program empowers young mothers to navigate the legal system more confidently and is an important factor leading to their success as mothers.
To support programs like OJEN’s Family Law For Young Parents make a donation to our 15th Birthday Campaign.