In the fourth edition of our quarterly 'Be heard!' newsletter, we continue to bring our 2018-2021 Plan of Action to life with stories about how we achieve our vision of:
|
|
|
In our last edition of 2019, join us in taking a look at our Annual Report and reflecting on the year that was and who we helped.
|
|
WHO WE HELP - THE VOICES OF OUR CLIENTS
'For a long time I thought I was alone, but since I've met Jess she's helped me, and has helped protect the children. I honestly don't know how I would have managed if I hadn't seen her' - Elle.
During 2018-2019, we prioritised providing free legal help to people in need in our local area, like Mike and Elle, to break the cycle of disadvantage and reduce the impact of interacting with the justice system.
Read our Annual Report to read their stories and find out more about other people we help.
|
|
HOW WE WORK
We understand that for many, a lawyer is not always the first person they turn to for help with legal problems. That is why we embed our lawyers within other community agencies to ensure that people can get legal help at accessible and appropriate places.
These outreach services were valuable for both Elle and Mike, who we first met through our partnerships with hospitals and homeless services.
'I was happy that I could go for hospital care while receiving legal assistance simultaneously... It was a lot easier than having to make an appointment somewhere else' - Elle.
Read our Annual Report to find out more about our partnerships and how we work.
|
|
WHAT WE DO
We know that people find it hard to speak to lawyers, so when they do we make sure they feel safe and listened to.
'Using a trauma-informed approach, we gave Elle the time she needed to trust us. It took one year for her to share the worst of her experience...' - Acting Co-CEO Jessica de Vries
With the help of a familiar and trusting lawyer, clients like Elle and Mike had the support they needed to stay engaged with the legal process. We stood by their side every step of the way, providing free accessible legal help in the form of information, advice, casework and representation.
This is a small snapshot of our work throughout 2018-2019:
We also educate others about the law through community legal education. We educate community workers within our partner organisations to identify legal issues so that more people can be directed to the help they need. Elle and Mike were able to reach us because their social workers identified their legal problems and connected them. This year, we also continued our community education focus on young people by launching our multilingual digital legal information resource for international students and delivering the Pick a Path program tailored to young culturally and linguistically diverse people at The River Nile School.
Through our law reform and advocacy work, we challenge unfair laws and systems, collaborating with others to come up with solutions, influence decision makers and strengthen our work. During 2018-2019 we focused on tackling housing and homelessness, mental and physical health, family violence and criminal justice.
Read our Annual Report to find out more about what we do.
|
|
END OF YEAR WRAP-UP
Even as the year draws to a close, we have been busier than ever. At our planning day in November, we took the opportunity to look forward to and prepare for an exciting year ahead.
Thank you to our friends, sector colleagues and partner organisations for their vital, ongoing support. Team IMCL wishes you a happy end of the year and a great start to 2020.
|
|
SUPPORT US
You can help us provide legal help and resource to continue our mission to build fairness and wellbeing in our local community by donating here. You may donate online or email us at donate@imcl.org.au for a donation form or to be called back to make a phone donation.
|
|
|
|