The program will help young mothers navigate the ‘overwhelming and intimidating’ family law system
The Ontario Justice Education Network is launching a new family law program designed to empower vulnerable young mothers and young pregnant women in the Hamilton area.
The program, which is called “Family Law for Young Mothers: Challenge and Change,” will be funded with the help of a grant from non-profit organization Ontario Trillium Foundation.
In a news release dated Jan. 9, OJEN stated that the program is divided into six sessions consisting of educational segments in which family law lawyers will help participants familiarize themselves with common issues and procedures such as child support, custody, access and protection. There will also be experiential justice activities.
During the culminating session, young mothers will be able to directly propose improvements to relevant stakeholders in the justice system, based on their own personal experience of problems they have encountered.
By putting their heads together and brainstorming over solutions for the system to improve, young mothers and legal professionals can “can find better ways for people working in the legal system to address the legal needs and challenges faced by young parents.”
OJEN is collaborating with community partners in Hamilton to ensure that the program can truly address the issues being faced by the community.
