Don Valley Community Legal Services (DVCLS) is a not-for-profit Legal Aid clinic providing poverty law services. DVCLS was incorporated in April 2019 following the amalgamation of East Toronto Community Legal Services (incorporated in 1978) and Flemingdon Community Legal Services (incorporated in 1983). DVCLS is one of 70 Legal Aid clinics in the Province of Ontario

The Clinic provides free legal services for low-income people living in the area bounded by Lake Ontario in the South to York Mills/401 in the North and from Yonge Street/Don River in the West to Victoria Park Avenue in the East. Most poverty law matters involve proceedings before government bureaucracies or administrative tribunals, not courts. Poverty law matters are often of overwhelming significance to the individuals and groups affected.

DVCLS is funded by Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) and governed by an independent, volunteer Board of Directors, who are responsible for clinic governance including clinic administration, personnel management, financial management, the determination of legal services to be provided (both the areas of law to be provided and the methods or strategies to be used), and the evaluation of services. The Board is the employer of the clinic’s lawyers, paralegals, community legal workers and administrative staff. The day-to-day management of each clinic is the responsibility of the Clinic’s Executive Director and Director of Legal Services. The Board Directors are drawn from residents of the catchment area, community agencies and partners.

Clinic Operations:

• The clinic operates out of two offices in the catchment area; the North Office at the Thorncliffe Park Community Hub, 45 Overlea Blvd, Unit 200, the South Office operates out of the Ralph Thornton Community Centre at 785 Queen Street East.

• The clinic provides representation in poverty law matters, serving persons of modest income in the catchment area on an individual, case-by-case basis.

• The clinic serves as a community legal resource by providing outreach, legal education and community organizing to agencies, individuals, and community groups.

• The clinic attempts to balance the casework of individuals with its role as an agent of law reform in respect of test case or greater impact litigation, and novel areas of law.

• The clinic is responsive to the diverse cultural mixes in our catchment area.

• The clinic networks with other agencies in the community to link clients with community services and is a known and trusted resource within the community.

• The clinic endeavors to engage the community in the identification and assessment of its legal needs (Public Legal Education).

Please visit our website www.donvalleylegal.ca for a comprehensive description of our services.

We are currently seeking volunteer directors to join our Board and require individuals with expertise in:

• Finance and financial oversight.
• Governance and board leadership.
• Human resources, particularly in the area of labour relations.

Directors play a key role in guiding the strategic direction of the organization and serving on the board is a meaningful way to contribute your professional and/or lived experience to an organization committed to access to justice and community service.

Interested candidates must:

• Reside or work within the DVCLS catchment area: from Lake Ontario (south) to York Mills/Highway 401 (north), and from Yonge Street/Don River (west) to Victoria Park Avenue (east); and
• Be willing and commit to attending in person board meetings on the third Thursday of every month and serving on at least one committee of the board.
• Previous board and/or committee experience is an asset.

At DVCLS diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the core of who we are. Our commitment to these values is unwavering in our service to our clients, with our employees, community partners and stakeholders. All individuals are treated with dignity and respect.

If you would like to apply for this rewarding, community-based opportunity, please send your resume and an expression of interest to the attention of Kirk Cooper, (kirk@cooper.legal) Chair of the Board / or Marjorie Hiley (marjorie.hiley@dvcls.clcj.ca) Executive Director.