Searching for Community Legal Services

Helps employers to manage and reduce the cost of injuries in the workplace

Advice, education and information for employers on workplace safety insurance * offers representation before the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) and the Workplace Safety Insurance Appeals Tribunal (WSIAT) * funded by employer premiums paid to the WSIB

Main Office:
505 University Ave, 20th Fl
Toronto, ON M5G 2P1
416-327-0020
Fax: 416-327-0726

Service coordination for children and youth with complex needs who may require a response from more than one service provider * single point of access for children and adolescents who require access to residential-based mental health treatment services * Developmental Services Ontario South West Region and Passport South West Region are divisions of this agency

Children's Services - Service coordination for children and youth with complex needs that may require a response from more than one service provider

Developmental Services Ontario - South West Region - Single point of access to adult developmental services funded by the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services for adults with a developmental disability

Passport Program - Helps adults who have a developmental disability to be involved in their communities and live as independently as possible by providing funding for community participation services and supports, activities of daily living and person-directed planning * passport funding can also be used to provide caregiver respite

WrapAround - Individualized, coordinated, family-driven plans to meet the complex needs of children and their families

Legal advice and representation in court or at tribunals regarding Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program benefits, Canada Pension Plan, Employment Insurance benefits, Landlord/Tenant advice and representation (for tenants only), and Employment Law


For landlord/tenant advice contact:
Tenant Duty Counsel
519-438-2890

Provides free and confidential services (advice, education and representation) in workplace insurance matters (formerly called workers' compensation) to non-unionized workers and their survivors

Reprisals unit located at the head office advises and represents non-unionized workers who have experienced occupational health and safety reprisals

Legal resources and referrals to other social assistance agencies * administers legal aid certificate program for complex and serious cases * issues certificates to pay for legal costs associated with family court, child welfare cases and appearance in criminal and young offender cases, to people who are eligible * assists with immigration and refugee claims * Legal Aid settlement conferences offered and arranged.
Clients may wish to contact our website for information about eligibility for the various Legal Aid Ontario services. They may be made via the Client Portal, or via Lawyer Assisted Applications or by contacting our Client Service Centre 1-811-668-8258 between 8am-5pm, weekdays. Translation services are available in your choice of over 300 languages through the contact service.

Independent body established to resolve disputes between residential landlords and tenants through mediation or adjudication * provides information concerning tenant and landlord rights and obligations under the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) * processes applications to determine and regulate justified rent increases and jurisdiction for both landlords and tenants

Rent Control Guidelines - Landlords are allowed to raise rents without seeking government approval up to the approved guidelines * contact Board for current percent or visit the website

Formerly the Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal

Information on the family court process * assistance in preparing for family court proceedings (documenting history of abuse, accessing Legal Aid) * referral to specialized services and supports in the community * safety planning * court accompaniment to proceedings when appropriate

Safe places, shelter, support, counselling and resources for abused women, their children and other oppressed individuals

Sexual Assault Counselling - Support services to survivors who have experienced sexual violence as adults or as children * works to change harmful attitudes that allow sexual violence to exist * includes counselling, workshops and training opportunities for LGBT2Q+ individuals

24-Hour Abused Womens Helpline and Walk-In Crisis Support - Shelter, support, advocacy and education

Clarke Road Shelter - Emergency and short term shelter for abused women and their children

Community Outreach Program - Provides ongoing assistance within the community to individuals experiencing abuse and/or violence * meetings are held in places that are safe for clients to discuss various topics such as individual safety plans, assisting with navigating systems such as legal, financial, health and housing * safe and affordable housing, connection to resources and supports in the community and advocacy and referrals

Family Court Support Program - Information on the family court process * assistance in preparing for family court proceedings (documenting history of abuse, accessing Legal Aid) * referral to specialized services and supports in the community * safety planning * court accompaniment to proceedings when appropriate

Group Program for Children Exposed to Woman Abuse - Group program for children provides the opportunity for children to understand the hurt that happened in their family * groups held in safe, accessible locations * transportation available * parents/caregivers also have the opportunity to learn how to support their children's healing

Mine101 - Gently-used fashionable clothing and accessories * proceeds to support children's programming at Anova

Second Stage Housing - Rent-geared-to-income, 25 unit apartment complex in South London * safe, medium security housing

Wellington Road Shelter - Emergency short-term shelter for abused women and their children

Drop-in information and resource centre * information and resources on separation, divorce and child welfare * information about community resources, family mediation services, legal services, the court process, how to find a lawyer

Helps to protect the rights and interests of mentally incapable adults who have no one else to act on their behalf in accordance with the Substitute Decisions Act (SDA)

The office is responsible for:

• protecting mentally incapable people
• protecting the public's interest in charities (including complaints about charities)
• searching for heirs of estates administered by the office
• investing perpetual care funds

Guardianship Investigation and Provision - Investigates situations in which an adult is alleged to be mentally incapable and suffering, or at risk of suffering, serious harm as a result * makes decisions (decision maker of last resort) about financial affairs, medical treatment and admission to long-term care for adults who are mentally incapable of doing so when there is no one else, such as a family member, willing and able to provide this service * appoints guardians and will serve as court-appointed representative in litigation cases

Power of Attorney - Kits are available that help you appoint the person you want to make decisions for you when you are no longer able to do so for yourself

Access to legal services for people with low income

Issues legal aid certificates under the provisions of the Legal Aid Act to enable persons who qualify to engage the services of a lawyer of their choice * addresses criminal law, family law and immigration

Duty Counsel - Services provided in family court, child welfare cases

Issues legal aid certificates under the provisions of the Legal Aid Act to enable persons who qualify to engage a lawyer of their choice * addresses criminal law, family law and immigration

Duty Counsel - Assists persons charged on matters of adjournment, pleas, applications for bail and submissions as to sentence * provided criminal and young offenders cases in courts of first appearance

A neutral coordinator assists in the creation of a parenting plan, standardize daily routines, monitors compliance, and helps resolve disputes with the plan as they arise

Weekly visits to the Elgin Middlesex Detention Centre and the Stratford Jail are made to provide information, counselling and support and assist people in correctional facilities plan for services required upon release. Support letters can be provided to assist individuals in planning for their release.

Collect calls are accepted from all provincial and federal institutions

Inmates may place a request with the guards on duty to see a worker from the John Howard Society. Referrals are accepted from any source, including family, friends, community members and an individual on the range.

Provides services on a continuum from preventing involvement with the law, to arrest and detention, to successful reintegration back into the community

Services include:

• information, advocacy and referrals
• vouchers for clothing and household items
• one-on-one and family counselling available

Children's Group - Preventative after school program for children living in the Boullee, Huron, and Kipps Lane communities * a group for girls and boys between the ages of 4 and 12 years in the Huron subsidized housing project * a safe place to go after school to engage in fun educational activities, eat snacks, build positive relationships and develop skills

Community Case Management and Supervision (CCMS) Program - The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) implemented a national Community Case Management and Supervision (CCMS) program, in partnership with the John Howard Society of Canada, to provide an alternative to detention for those who would otherwise be detained in custody awaiting the resolution of their immigration issues * offers intensive community supervision and case management services to eligible individuals so they can be safely supervised in the community

Direct Accountability Program - An alternative to prosecution for eligible individuals over the age of 18 who have been charged with minor criminal offences * accused persons are held accountable through community-based sanctions

Indigenous Services Program - The John Howard Society of London and District is under contract with the Ministry of the Solicitor General and the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services to provide culturally relevant probation and parole supervision for Indigenous adults and youth *

Supported Housing of Perth Program (SHOPP) - In collaboration with the City of Stratford Social Services Department, Choices for Change, Optimism Place Women's Shelter and Support Services and Stratford/Perth Shelterlink to offer the Supported Housing of Perth Program (SHOPP). The program is a highly collaborative Housing First program serving the City of Stratford, Perth County, and St. Mary's. The program provides housing assistance and wrap around support services to people who are experiencing homelessness.

Women's Group - A weekly support group for women who have a loved one involved in the criminal justice system. The group offers women an opportunity to receive support through emotional crisis, evaluate their relationships and receive relevant information about the criminal justice system.

Services and Programs:

• Anger Management Program
• Bail Verification and Supervision Program (BVSP)
• Breaking the Cycle of Post-Incarceration Homelessness Program
• Community Education
• Counselling Program
• Institutional Services
• Navigating Relationships Program
• Partner Assault Response Program - Huron and Perth Counties
• Record Suspension
• Volunteer Services
• Youth Outreach Program

Crisis Residential and Respite Programs

Crisis Residential Program - provides 24-hour continuous care to meet the needs of children when their families are experiencing an emergency, crisis, severe stress or other disruptive situation * can accommodate up to 18 children each night * programs build resiliency, develop coping strategies, confidence and social skills, and increase sense of safety and well-being

Respite Program - provides periodic short-term breaks from caregiving for the purpose of rest and renewal * examples of complex family situations supported by this program include poverty, physical and/or mental health issues, isolation, addiction

Services to help families resolve legal problems that can impact a child's health or the family's ability to care for that child

Areas covered:

• Employment
• Family Law (information only)
• Domestic abuse
• Immigration
• Child welfare (children only)
• Education (school) rights
• Access to social benefits
• Housing
• Healthcare coverage/access
• Consent/capacity
• Debt/creditor issues
• Tax
• Wills/estates
• Human rights
• Administrative (e.g. notarizing documents, commissioning affidavits)

Assists in the resolution of issues between students and landlords and/or students and London residents through informal and formal mediation

Acts as a neutral third party to provide information and suggest approaches to problems * handles landlord/tenant issues, noise complaints, property appearance, parking complaints, roommate concerns and other lifestyle issues * does not act as an advocate or offer legal advice

CLS provides free legal assistance and representation to low-income people in the London community and to Fanshawe College and Western Univeristy students in the following areas:

• Criminal law
• Small claims court
• Landlord and tenant
• Family law
• Notarizing documents and affidavits (for Western and Fanshawe students only)

Assistance is provided by law students under the direct supervision of a lawyer

Provides mediation services to the community * helps to work out fair and lasting solutions to most kinds of disputes including small claims court and civil matters, neighbourhood conflicts, landlord-tenant disputes, roommate difficulties, employer-employee programs and interpersonal conflict

Does not offer mediation for disputes involving a client of Community Legal Services, or matters of parental responsibility, divorce, pending criminal matters or claims in excess of small claims court limit

Provides Conflict Resolution Training workshops for the London Community. If given adequate notice, the workshops can be tailored to the needs of the specific organization

Operated by law students under the supervision of an experienced lawyer, and partnered with Community Legal Services at Western University

Law school

Offers students opportunities to develop practical experience through clinical courses, advocacy training, Community Legal Services Clinic, Western Business Law Clinic, Sport Solution Clinic, Dispute Resolution Centre, and Pro Bono Students Canada * notary services for set fee

Community Legal Services - CLS provides free legal assistance and representation to low-income people in the London community and to Fanshawe College and Western Univeristy students in the following areas:

Dispute Resolution Centre - Provides mediation services to the community * helps to work out fair and lasting solutions to most kinds of disputes including small claims court and civil matters, neighbourhood conflicts, landlord-tenant disputes, roommate difficulties, employer-employee programs and interpersonal conflict

Advocacy and rights advice services for patients with concerns about treatment, legal and human rights, quality of life, quality of care and basic dignity while in hospitals * Assists with resolving individual or systemic issues * offers public education and speaker sessions

Support services for women who have been abused * provides safety in an emergency shelter and counselling services

Abused Women's Helpline - 24-hour support, information and system navigation for women, friends, professionals and family members who are affected directly or indirectly by violence

24 Hour Drop In Counselling - 24 hour crisis stabilization and support for women who have been abused

Mental Health Crisis Response for Abused Women - 24 hour specialized crisis intervention for women who have been abused and are experiencing a mental health crisis, by phone or in person

Child Counselling - Counselling to help children heal from the trauma of experiencing their mother's abuse * safety planning * services are available in St Thomas, Aylmer and West Lorne

Prevention by Education - On-site training and information for services and agencies, community and faith groups, workplaces and schools * Elementary School Healthy Relationships Program provides school-based counselling information and training services to elementary school students, teachers and principals

Family Court Support Worker Program - information on the family court process * assistance in preparing for family court proceedings (documenting history of abuse, accessing Legal Aid) * referral to specialized services and supports in the community * safety planning * court accompaniment to proceedings when appropriate

Women Abuse and Transitional Housing Support Counselling - Counselling for women who have been abused and may need assistance finding housing * legal and financial information * assistance with safety planing * assistance with finding a safe place to live * services are available in St Thomas, Aylmer and West Lorne

Sexual Assault and Transitional Housing Support Counselling - Counselling for women who have been sexually abused either as a child or as an adults * services are available in St Thomas, Aylmer and West Lorne

Services and Programs:

• Women's Place Emergency Shelter

Health and well-being hub for boys, men, fathers and families * services, research, advocacy, outreach and public education concerning men's issues

Programs and services:

• Domestic Abuse Support Program
• Legal Information Clinic
• One on One Therapy/Counselling
• Fathers After Separation or Divorce
• Men's Peer Support Group