In 2021, Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services Corporation (NALSC) received a $121,500 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to help recover and rebuild from the impacts emerging from COVID-19 so we can effectively meet the needs of Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) communities and NAN citizens across Northern Ontario. This grant helped fund different projects to be completed by 2022 to allow for the safe reopening of NALSC for in person services. The bulk of these projects consisted of retrofitting different office locations in (Timmins, Thunder Bay, Kenora, Pikangikum and Sioux Lookout) with a separate space to safely meet with our clients. These spaces were equipped with adequate PPE and physical barriers (like Plexiglas) to fully adapt to health and safety limitations and allow for social distancing.
In addition to retrofitting our offices, this grant will helped fund our offices with wipe-able chairs and tables, with computers, printers and phones for clients to use, in order to adhere to virtual court requirements and engage in services. Furthermore, this grant allowed NALSC to add and maintain all necessary PPE equipment in the public area so clients have access to the necessary PPE and can adhere to our COVID safety policy and requirements. Overall, thanks to the $121,500 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, NALSC became better prepared to reopen offices and welcome back clients for in-person legal aid services and justice program delivery.
"The impact of this Ontario Trillium Foundation grant cannot be underestimated,” said Jim Beardy, Chair of NALSC Board of Directors. “This grant has allowed needed renovations to be made. Our offices are completely accessible and we can accommodate and serve our communities better.”
NALSC is mandated to promote creative community-based justice systems and to delivering on a wide range of law-related services including legal, paralegal, public legal education, and law reform services to citizens of NAN. Our mission is to deliver the programs and services in a culturally appropriate manner sensitive to the unique values, customs and traditions of NAN communities. If you wish to enquire about our programs and available resources, please visit our website at: https://nanlegal.on.ca/
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations. OTF awarded $115 million to 644 projects last year to build healthy and vibrant communities in Ontario.
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