Justice for Children and Youth

Record #: CDR0050
Last Modified: 30 Dec 2020
Last Full Update: 09 Apr 2019

Phone

Office Phone 416-920-1633
Fax 416-920-5855
After Hours Phone 416-920-1633 (voicemail)
Crisis Phone Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868
Toll Free Phone 1-866-999-5329

Address/Location Info

Address 55 University Avenue, 15th Floor, 
Toronto, ON M5J 2H7
Located In Community Toronto Central
Intersection University and King Street West
Transit Information St Andrew TTC station
Accessibility Fully Accessible

Description/Eligibility/Service Details

Description Legal clinic that represents and advocates for youth (under 18yrs) on matters such as: welfare, education, children's aid, getting off the street, family or criminal law. 
 
Child Welfare 
Advises and represents youth who want into or out of children's aid care. Answers questions or concerns about their placement or program while in care. 
 
Consent to Treatment 
Gives legal advice to young persons and care providers regarding the right to consent to and refuse treatment; assists young people who are having trouble getting OHIP. 
 
Corrections Law 
Advocates for youth who are in jail at youth centres or in detention. 
 
Custody and Access 
Represents children and youth who are not living with a parent and are seeking access to siblings only. The Office of the Children's Lawyer represents children and youth in custody and access disputes. They are appointed by the court and the parents' lawyers can request this appointment. 
 
Education Law 
Helps young people who are not living with a parent get enrolled in school; helps children and parents obtain appropriate special education placements by giving legal advice relating to the various processes under the Education Act; provides summary advice to parents throughout Ontario and will consult with other lawyers and clinics to assist them in representing clients outside the Toronto area; represents low-income children and youth who have been suspended or excluded from school or who face expulsion from a school board; gives advice about truancy and about information, records and privacy issues. 
 
Immigration Law 
DOES NOT practice immigration or refugee law. However will assist children and youth obtain OHIP or school enrolment when their immigration status is an issue; and will assist other lawyers and clinics with this area of law as it relates to the Charter and to international human rights instruments. 
 
Leaving Home 
Provides summary advice and representation, when necessary, for young people who have left or are considering leaving their parents' home (issues often involve child welfare, support, family and social assistance law); assists in the recovery of personal possessions being withheld by a parent when a young person leaves home. 
 
Mental Health Law 
Acts for youth who are locked in mental health facilities (secure treatment/psychiatric wards) or who are in a facility for mental health reasons. 
 
Social Assistance 
Represents youth (16-17yrs) who are trying to get general welfare assistance or who have been cut off; gives summary advice to persons seeking the foster parent benefit and to young parents applying for family benefits. 
 
Support 
Provides summary advice to young persons and assistance to legal counsel where youth are seeking financial support from their parents (the youth should be able to obtain a legal aid certificate). In this area, assists youth living independently - but NOT youth living with a parent. 
 
Test Cases 
Tries to challenge laws that discriminate against children or youth, or laws which fail to take into account the best interests or wishes of children and youth, from the perspective of the young person; will also represent children and youth in cases which involve the interpretation of legislation pertaining to them such as the Child and Family Services Act or the Young Offenders Act. 
 
Victims of Crime 
Represents young persons who wish to protect the privacy of personal records (e.g. CAS files, school records, medical records, etc.) in criminal proceedings (defence lawyers may try to use these records to undermine the testimony of victims of crime in the trial against the accused); helps young people make claims before the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board. (DOES NOT assist with personal injury claims in civil courts). 
 
Young Offender 
Helps young people in trouble with the law by giving them information about the legal system and their rights; helps them find lawyers and refers them to other resource; represents youth who are charged in incidents in schools, group homes and jail; represents youth with learning or other difficulties; may do appeals depending on the issues; does reviews of dispositions to help a youth get into open custody or on probation; will do bail hearings and general advocacy for youth without lawyers.
Hours Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 9:00am – noon and 1:00 - 5:00pm (lunch closure). 
Summer addition (July & Aug): no intakes Fri afternoon.
Areas Served Greater Toronto Area - Direct service ; Ontario - Summary advice ; Peel Region ; Toronto and GTA - Direct service; Ontario - Summary advice
Eligibility Under 18 yrs; or homeless and under 25 yrs.
Fees Free to low income children and youth
Languages English ; Translation services available

Contact Information

Social Media Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Justice-for-Children-and-Youth-JFCY/137290046290119 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JFCY 
Website: www.jfcy.org 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/JFCYOntario
E-Mail info@jfcy.org
Website www.jfcy.org
Primary Executive Mary Birdsell, Executive Director

Other Info

Alternate Name JFCY
Service Level (50) Non Profit ; (51) Registered Charity

Subjects

Subjects Advocacy ; Child custody ; Child protective services ; Child welfare ; Children ; Crime victims ; Education ; Family courts ; Health services ; Homeless people ; Human rights ; Immigrants ; Legal information ; Legal protection ; Legal services ; Mental health ; Support payments ; Young offenders ; Youth
Service Categories Legal Counselling ~ Adolescents ; Legal Counselling ~ Children ; Legal Representation ~ Adolescents ; Legal Representation ~ Children