This is a Special Project managed by PBSC National.
Name of Organization: The 519 Community Centre
Website of Organization: www.the519.org
Organization’s Mandate: The 519 is committed to the health, happiness, and full participation on the 2SLGBTQ+ communities. A city of Toronto agency with an innovative model of Service, Space and Leadership, we strive to make a real difference in people’s lives, while working to promote inclusion, understanding and respect.
Project Name: Trans ID Clinic
Project Type: Client services (court forms, shadowing, mock hearings, intake, legal clinic, etc.)
Project Delivery: Remote
Description of Project: The Trans ID Clinic provides free legal information, form-filling services and referrals in a learning space that strives to be trans-positive, non-judgmental, anti-oppressive and inclusive. PBSC law student volunteers and lawyer supervisors work collaboratively to assist trans and gender diverse individuals with obtaining new pieces of identification.
Role of Student Volunteers: Students will meet with clients virtually (Teams or Zoom). There is also the opportunity for students to meet with clients at the 519. During the meeting, they will assist clients to fill in name change and gender marker applications. Students are not permitted to give out their personal contact information to clinic clients.
Student volunteers will be expected to meet with the partner organization three times per semester to provide and update and seek guidance as needed. Student volunteers should take the initiative to schedule pre-determined meeting times with the partner organization contact at the outset of their placement.
Role of Supervising Lawyer(s): Supervising lawyers from McCarthy Tétrault LLP will be available by email or telephone to respond to students’ questions that might come up. Once a student completes a draft application with a client, the student will send the application electronically to their supervising lawyer. The supervising lawyer has final “sign-off” authority on applications drafted by clients with the assistance of PBSC law students.
Type of Law: Administrative law, human rights law
Main Project Deliverable: Completing client intake and assistance (e.g. completing client intake, providing client referrals, helping clients with their ID documents, etc.)
Number of Student Placements: 1-2 students
Hours per week the student volunteer(s) will be expected to work: 3-5 hours/week
Regular shifts or a flexible schedule: Student Volunteers will be expected to volunteer remotely on a schedule as agreed upon with the partner organization. Specifically, Student Volunteers will be expected to arrange meeting times with the clients and ensure they arrive promptly at the arranged meeting times.
Is there a workspace provided for the student at the Organization: Yes. Tasks can be completed remotely, or students can book a space to meet with clients at the 519 through the Organization Contact person, Trans ID Clinic coordinator Adrian Gonzalez. Students are expected to adhere to the procedures as set out in the “Student Volunteer Guidelines” which will be provided to students placed on this project.
Devices and technologies the students will be required to have: Computer, Phone, Internet access, video conferencing will be used – software is Teams or Zoom. Students must block their personal number when calling clients with a personal cellphone. Students are additionally expected to adhere to the procedures as set out in the “Student Volunteer Guidelines” which will be provided to students placed on this project.
Is there an expectation for the student(s) to be bilingual: No, however additional languages are an asset.
Law School Pre-Requisites: First year law students may apply, however the following would be considered an asset:
- Administrative law
- Human rights law
- Poverty law
- Clinical placement experience
- Commitment to volunteering for 2 years with the project
Other Requirements or Expectations: Given the background of clients being served, we welcome applications from trans and gender diverse, Black or POC students. Volunteers selected must demonstrate ongoing and meaningful allyship with the Two-Spirit, Trans, non-binary and non-gender conforming and gender diverse communities. Volunteers must have strong organizational and time management skills, strong attention to detail, record-keeping and communication with supervisor skills, and experience with client relations or communications.
Assets include:
• Personal or professional experience working with Two-Spirit, Trans, non-binary and non-gender conforming communities
• Experience in clinical, client-facing, and/or tribunal setting
• Social work background – experience working with LGBTQ+ communities and survivors of trauma
• A strong sense of anti-oppression principles