Announcements
Children & Parents After Separation
The Justice Education Society has developed a new, FREE workshop to help parents make informed decisions about their separation and help their children cope with a family break up. Children & Parents After Separation is a certificate-granting pilot program that provides a whole-family learning alternative to Parents After Separation. The program is offered in Vancouver and New Westminster on a first-come, first-serve basis. Space is limited. Register online or contact us (604.660.5123) for more information.
Justice Brenner Tribute Dinner
On January 21, a tribute dinner was held for the recently-retired Honourable Donald Brenner, Q.C. The event was a fundraiser, with a portion of ticket proceeds donated to the Justice Education Society and Access Pro Bono. The evening was a fabulous tribute to the personal accomplishments of Justice Brenner and the Society was honoured to be part of the event.
Justice Education Society Donations
The Society is a non-profit organization that has been pioneering public legal education in British Columbia for 20 years. At this moment, the Society is facing the greatest challenge in its history regarding programs for BC schools. This year, funds were cut by over 60% and we have been forced to close regional offices. Donations support our mission to improve access to justice in BC and will help us to continue services to BC youth. All donations over $25 receive a charitable tax receipt. You can donate online or contact 604-660-9870 for more information.
Justice System Education Program
The Society’s most popular program introduces British Columbian to our courts. Participants visit the courthouse, speak with justice system professionals and experience court in action. Schools, ESL classes and community groups can now book online.
Currently, the following court locations are available for booking:
- Victoria
- Vancouver- 800 Hornby Street
- Vancouver- 222 Main Street
- North Vancouver
- New Westminster
- Port Coquitlam
- Surrey
- Abbotsford
- Chilliwack
- Kamloops
- Kelowna
- Prince George
Here is a recent testimonial from a Law 12 teacher who took his class to our Okanagan office to go courtwatching:
Thank-you so much for hosting my class today. You did an excellent job and I know the kids really appreciated it. At times they can be a bit unruly but they were saying nothing but positive things about their court visit on the way back. It was a big hit and I have you to thank for organizing all of this :) It helps them big time when they can see a real-world example of something they are learning. Law is a difficult course for some of these alternative ed. students, but I know they will do better because of what they learned today.
International Team Events
The Justice Education Society’s International Team is bringing Semhal Getachew, an Ethiopian human rights lawyer and activist, to speak at several events surrounding International Women’s Day in March.
International Women’s Day: Women’s Voices at the Table, which takes place on March 6, is organized by the Society’s International Department, We Can BC and other organizations. The event will recognize the importance of women’s voices in local and global decision-making.
Getachew will also be speaking on femicide and violence against women in relation to the Highway of Tears at the University of Northern BC on March 9. The event is named Women’s Silenced Voices: The Issue of Femicide from Ethiopia to the Highway of Tears.
Free Screening: Though the Heavens Fall
The Society is hosting a free screening of Though the Heavens Fall, a film commemorating the BC Court of Appeal’s 100th anniversary. The event will take place on March 22 from 6pm-7pm, at UBC Robson Square (800 Robson Street). Please RSVP (604.660.0588) by March 19.
Project News
Downtown Community Court
The Society has completed its project to produce three new public legal education videos on Vancouver’s Downtown Community Court (DCC):
- Introduction to the DCC
- The DCC – How it Works
- The DCC – Solving Problems
The court, the first of its kind in Canada, takes a problem-solving approach to dealing with offenders who may have issues with health, homelessness, and drug addiction. The videos will be published in March at www.CommunityCourt.bc.ca.
Supreme Court Self Help
The Society is developing new guidebooks on the upcoming rule changes at the Supreme Court of BC. In January, the Society took over the management and maintenance of the Supreme Court Self Help Centre’s website. This popular website provides help for self-representing litigants with civil or family matters. It is the primary resource for staff working at the Supreme Court Self-Help Information Centre and the home of the guidebooks.
Most Popular Online Legal Resources in 2009
Last year, over 150,000 visitors were able to get legal information on websites produced by the Society. We are a leader in developing online legal publications and in 2009, our top five websites were:
| www.JusticeEducation.ca | The Society’s main website provides justice system information and acts as a directory for all our resources and programs. |
| www.SmallClaimsBC.ca | This website provides information, videos and court forms for BC’s do-it-yourself court. |
| www.CourtsofBC.ca | A popular resource for teachers, this site helps youth and new immigrants learn about BC’s court system. |
| www.VictimsInfo.ca | Developed in partnership with Victims Services, this site helps victims and witnesses of crime to get the help they need. |
| www.FamiliesChange.ca | This innovative website helps children and parents cope with a family break up. |
KidsBC.ca Getting Great Reviews
Kids experiencing a parental divorce or separation have given some great feedback about KidsBC.ca, a website the Society created to help them cope with the emotions of going through a family break up. Kids explore Changeville, an animated town with information and activities that help them understand that they are not alone. There is an online feedback form and some comments include:
- I love it, my parents are divorced and since I’ve signed up for Changeville I have changed.
- I think this site rocks. It really helps me sort through what I am feeling in my life, and tells me that I am not alone. Keep it up…there should be a site like this for adults too. I’m sure it would help them.
- I think it is a very good website, it helped me alot to know I’m not the only one and good tips of what to do.
- Wow, This website is amazing!! I’m a social worker, and I see children of divorce all too often. This will be a very helpful tool.
Staff News
Victoria Office Re-Opens
With fundraising support - especially from the Victoria Bar - Sylvia Sangha has returned and re-opened the Justice Education Society’s Victoria office. The office will be open Wednesdays from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm. Sylvia can also be contacted on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.