This March, York University is recognizing and participating in SDG Month Canada, a national initiative to advance collaboration, awareness and engagement around the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
Throughout the month, YFile will present a series of articles that highlight contributions from York University and its efforts to advance the SDGs. These stories reflect the people, research and initiatives that make the University an international leader in sustainability.
For thousands of vulnerable Ontarians, the absence of government-issued identification creates an invisible barrier, cutting them off from health care, housing and employment.
Without ID, individuals struggle to access even the most basic necessities and services. The ID Clinic at Osgoode Hall Law School’s Community & Legal Aid Services Program (CLASP) is working to change that. By guiding individuals through the often complex and frustrating process of obtaining ID, the clinic provides a pathway towards stability, security and independence.
Operated through CLASP at York University’s Keele Campus, the ID Clinic helps people apply for identification they have lost or never had. “Most people going about their day-to-day life take for granted what it’s like to have ID and what they can access because of it,” says Scarlet Smith, a lawyer and director of CLASP.
What began as a small initiative has grown significantly to address this need. In 2023, the ID Clinic expanded its services with the help of a Responsive Grant from the Law Foundation of Ontario. The funding allowed the clinic to hire a dedicated community outreach worker, Michaela DeSousa, who oversees student involvement, builds partnerships and trains frontline community workers.
DeSousa explains: “Government websites can be confusing to navigate, and often clients are unsure of what first step to take in restoring identification documents. The process can be expensive, lengthy and overwhelming. Folks are often turned away without an understanding of how exactly to move forward.”
Further, the need is urgent. Many of the clinic’s clients face challenging circumstances such as precarious housing and employment, or have even fled dangerous situations without any documentation. Others are marginalized due to language or literacy barriers, lack of access to technology and limited transportation options. “When many government services went online, it was supposed to be more accessible – but many of our clients don’t have access to computers and credit cards,” Smith adds.
“Michaela has been incredibly active in launching training sessions and partnering with organizations,” says Smith, highlighting a recent presentation to more than 300 people through CLEO Connect, whose newsletter reaches over 10,000 recipients. In addition to community trainings, the ID Clinic has drafted four instructional guides, nicknamed "primers," which explain the process and requirements of applying for Ontario Birth Certificates, Ontario Health Cards, Ontario Photo ID Cards and Permanent Resident Cards.
Thousands of primers have been distributed to community members, and are available on the CLASP website. The ID Clinic is also set to deliver a training session to City of Ottawa staff in March – a partnership that has led to the translation of the primers into French, bridging further gaps in knowledge among community members and support staff.
CLASP not only serves the community with initiatives like the ID Clinic and public legal education seminars, but the majority of the clinic’s work is assisting low-income clients with legal cases in the areas of administrative, immigration and criminal law. Funded primarily by Legal Aid Ontario, CLASP strives to make a difference in the lives of clients.
For some students, it is their first time working directly with clients in need. They assist people facing multiple challenges, including poverty, mental health struggles and language barriers, and the experience reinforces the real-world impact of legal work.
Nate King, a second-year law student managing cases for the ID Clinic, recalls one of his first files: securing a birth certificate for a child whose mother had fled an abusive home. Without it, she couldn’t apply for housing.
“This experience was so important for me because I came into law school wanting to help people,” King says. “Being able to do this right off the bat and work on a case that had such an impact has left an impression on me.” He keeps a drawing the child made in his office above his desk as a reminder of why he wants to be a lawyer.
In another case, King successfully fought an unfair eviction order for a man and his disabled son.
“There are a lot of clients we deal with that have very difficult lives,” he says. “It’s rewarding when we can help.”
“ID isn’t just paperwork – it allows people to assert their rights more fully,” Smith says. "People’s lives are complex, but a seemingly small step like identification can have a big impact on an individual."
With files from Scarlet Smith and Nichole Jankowski