Many people don't know where to turn when it comes to legal matters that quickly become complicated for those struggling to navigate the system.
To address several practical issues, the Northern Women's Centre at the University of Northern B.C. is offering Wellness Lunches, empowering community through legal education series, which offers two-hour workshops on a variety of topics.
"It's important to provide this service because most people can't afford what it costs for even an hourly rate to consult with a lawyer," Shelly LeBreton of Creative Social Services for the Northern Women's Centre. "This way we can give back to the community on a grander scale because we're able to have 10 to 12 guests at a time at each luncheon."
Lunch is included and provided by Sassafras Savouries during these free workshops.
To provide two-hours with an expert in the field of family law, will and estate planning, domestic violence and debt and debt services offers a great opportunity to those in need, added LeBreton.
The luncheon workshop series will be held at different locations throughout Prince George.
Debt and Debt Services will be held at the university on Tuesday to address student loans and the rights and responsibilities that come with loans. Abakhan & Associates representatives will provide the information during the session.
"Set in a group session it will trigger conversation where someone might not have thought about a point or a certain piece of information they could use," said LeBreton. "The series will be driven by the needs of the audience."
Everyone is welcome to attend the series, it's not just geared for women, LeBreton emphasized.
This is the pilot project with the hopes of expanding the series to serve more people more often, she added.
The Northern Women's Centre has funding provided by the City of Prince George that included enough for the series and a small law library providing up-to-date material of basic issues that are available in English and in several other languages for those whose first language is not English.
The Domestic Violence workshop will be offered by Crown Counsel at the BCGEU office, 500 Quebec St., on Oct. 18 and the topic will be the process of the courts. Things will be addressed like how a victim might be expected to testify in court, said LeBreton.
Wills & Estate Planning takes place at the Prince George Hospice Society who has donated space in the hospice house Nov. 8 where Brad Douglas, LLB of Traxler Haines will provide vital information about the topic including non-resuscitation orders, living wills, wills and how to do estate planning, said LeBreton.
Family Law will be addressed by Deborah O'Leary, LLB, on
Nov. 22 at Kikino Metis Children and Family Services, 1546 Sixth Ave., and issues will be addressed like restraining orders, guardianship, parental rights and responsibilities and child support payments.
Contact Sarah Boyd or Shelly LeBreton for further information at 250-960-5632 or [email protected] or [email protected].
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