Re: Funding Cuts - Post 3
We thank you sincerely for taking the time to read our posts and to engage with us about our court programs and their future. Please read the below letters that once again tell the story of our important work. Please follow us on social media and help us to share the word. We need stakeholders in our communities including funders and all levels of government to coordinate with us so that we can continue to aide thousands of Albertans each month.
The day I found out that the court program was losing our funding, my mind immediately flashed to 9:00am on any given day in front of court room 356,268, and CMO. I see confused, concerned and frustrated individuals, I see crowns, clerks and lawyers rushing to their perspective court rooms with no time to interact and assist the public, I see duty counsel looking at me for guidance on how this busy day is going to go, and I see a client walking away from me with more confidence and understanding then she had when she walked through those doors five minutes ago.
Every day is different in court; there are various problems to solve, information to find out, and often new things to learn. One thing that always remains the same is the vitality of EFRY Court Workers in the court house. The information and support we provided to unpresented as well as represented individuals every single day is unparalleled by any other agency. We of course work in conjunction with many stakeholders, and support each other however our role is certainly unique and necessary. When a client approaches a court worker they often have many questions, concerns and are looking desperately for guidance and support. We are able to demystify the court process for them while being that person in the court house that they can trust and they know is not judging them.
I remember a particular Indigenous client that had come in in distress one day. They were late, weren’t aware what their charges were, and had been told when they were charged by police that they would be going to jail. This was a first appearance, so none of the preliminary steps had been taken yet to get this person on the right track. After finding her name on the docket and seeing her 2 minor charges, I knew it was time for some reassurance. Now I am not a lawyer so I cant say what the consequences could be if convicted of these charges ( though in my head I am thinking that my experience tells me a shoplifting and mischief charge would rarely result in a custodial sentence) , however I do know that the police do not make the decision either. I let her know that even though the police said that, it may not be the case, we need to get some more information, and are going to figure out together what the next steps are and we will get moving forward. I ensured to explain and get her disclosure filled out, I signed her up for duty counsel and had let duty counsel know prior how she was feeling and her anxiety’s about the situation. After chatting with duty counsel, and duty counsel liaising with the crown it was determined that there would be no chance of jail on this. The relief on her face was evident. Now it was time to let her know about student legal services, and how they could assist. She called them right away and got her file set up. I also gave her some info on our main office programs, and her interest in our Stoplifting program compelled her to call and get more information about all of our programs. This is a very small example of how big of an impact what one interaction with EFRY can do for someone.
When we talk about court workers we aren’t just talking about staff, we of course are referring to our extremely dedicated volunteers. Our court volunteers are always eager to learn, and their first priority is the wellbeing of our clients. Many volunteers often go that extra mile to help a client in court, and give them the tools they need to go through this court appearance and future ones.
I recall a time when a volunteer was very concerned about the mental state of a client she was working with. She had felt that he had been brushed off by police and other agencies that wouldn’t give him the time of day to explain his situation, and in turn that’s why he was in court. This volunteer had some mental health training, although she knows that’s not her role as an EFRY court worker. She spoke with duty counsel and voiced her concerns about this client, and was hoping there could be a more therapeutic way to assist him. This very compassionate duty counsel had discussions with the client and requested from the crown that they consent to this person getting into mental health court in order to get access to the resources he desperately needed. Once approved, the client was elated that someone finally listened to him, and that he was on the road to getting more control over his own life. Perhaps without that volunteer stepping in this client could have just been another one of the hundreds that slip through the cracks of our justice system.
In closing, when envisioning the future of the courts without EFRY, I can’t lie it looks grim and chaotic, and an undeniably unsupportive environment. I hope the future will bring a different outcome as we work hard to keep a version of our court program alive and thriving, as it has been for the past 30 plus years.
Tamara (staff)
To whom it may concern,
It has recently become apparent to me that the ALF has made the disastrous decision to cut funding to the Elizabeth Fry Society of Northern Alberta. The short sightedness of this decision will have far reaching implications that will permeate into society at all levels. Not only will this devastate the vulnerable population and leave them with even less programs and support networks than they already have access to. But this funding cut will eliminate practicum opportunities for social worker students and volunteer opportunities for students who need experience and exposure for graduate programs and law school applications. Cutting funding will have instantaneous effects on marginalized peoples but long and drawn out implications on those who require the given exposure to become social workers that will in turn further help the very people in the court system already.
I volunteered with EFRY for 20-months during my undergraduate career and it opened my eyes to the world of the court system. So much so that it has now led me to apply to law schools across Canada in the hopes of impacting change within the legal system. Having the exposure that EFRY provides influenced my career path and further instilled values in me, such as being more patient, caring and empathetic to various peoples from a myriad of social backgrounds.
Seeing the varied peoples who rely on EFRY for assistance on a daily bases at court showed me just how valuable the programs are. What surprised me the most was how much EFRY helped Edmonton’s deaf community maneuver the Child Welfare Court system. A system that is not made for the hearing impaired, which requires them to have their own translator to obviously communicate but less obvious is the cultural nuances that must be translated as well. EFRY facilitates the work between the translator and the deaf person to further help by providing information such as legal terminology and assistance with Duty Council.
The fact that the court system will be hindered without the assistance of EFRY is an understatement. EFRY provides order and guidance to those that appear in docket court. EFRY’s court programs quell anxieties and help people manage their emotions on stressful days that will dictate their future. EFRY volunteers are extra support pillars in a place where they are needed.
I hope that ALF will reconsider their decision and continue to fund non-profit organizations such as EFRY, because they are instrumental and essential for assisting vulnerable individuals.
Thank you for your time, David (Volunteer)