Let Us Help You Feel Better Now
At Willowdale Community Legal Services (WCLS), we are a community-based organization dedicated to providing free legal assistance to low-income residents in our community. As a community legal clinic, we are funded by Legal Aid Ontario and are committed to providing accessible and non-discriminatory legal services to those in need.
Our Services
We offer a range of services to our clients, including advice, brief services, and representation in various areas of law. Our services are focused on helping individuals with legal issues related to housing, social assistance, immigration, employment, and consumer debt. We also provide notarization and commissioning services for documents.
Who We Serve
We serve people living in the area east of Yonge Street, west of Victoria Park, south of Steeles Avenue, and north of York Mills Road. To be eligible for our services, individuals must meet our income and assets eligibility criteria. Our services are designed to help those who are financially eligible, and we prioritize providing assistance to those who are most in need.
Our Staff
Our team consists of four lawyers, two community legal workers (paralegals), an intake worker, a community development worker, and an administrative assistant. We are governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, which is elected each year by our community members.
Access to Our Services
We encourage people to contact us by phone, email, or video conference. We ask that clients wear masks and practice self-screening when coming to our office. We offer in-person appointments, as well as after-hours and off-site appointments.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for our services, individuals must meet our income and assets eligibility criteria. Anyone can call us for general information and referrals, but we prioritize providing services to those who are financially eligible.
Catchment Area
We serve people living in the area east of Yonge Street, west of Victoria Park, south of Steeles Avenue, and north of York Mills Road. If you do not live in our catchment area, we recommend contacting a legal clinic in your community.
Getting Help
When you contact us, our staff will ask you for your contact information, income and asset levels, family situation, and legal situation. We will assess your eligibility and discuss your situation with you. We may offer an appointment with a caseworker or provide some general information. If we are unable to assist you, we will do our best to refer you to another organization.
Exceptional Service and Support
Many reviewers praised the exceptional service and support they received from the staff at Willowdale Community Legal Services. The team, including Gillian Reiss, Shoghig, Jessica, Nir Gepner, and others, were described as friendly, informative, kind, and accommodating. They provided helpful guidance and support throughout the legal process, making clients feel at ease and valued.
Professionalism and Expertise
The lawyers at Willowdale Community Legal Services were commended for their professionalism and expertise. They were knowledgeable about housing law and government law, and were able to provide excellent representation and advocacy. Reviewers noted that the lawyers were prepared for every argument and were never left looking puzzled or bewildered.
Personalized Attention and Compassion
Several reviewers appreciated the personalized attention and compassion they received from the staff. Jessica Fletcher, in particular, was praised for her unique sense of compassion, understanding, and ability to accommodate unique circumstances without judgment. Reviewers felt that the staff genuinely cared about their well-being and were invested in achieving positive outcomes.
Life-Changing Outcomes
Some reviewers credited Willowdale Community Legal Services with achieving life-changing outcomes. For example, one reviewer was able to access support for herself and her son during a difficult and emotional time, while another was able to overcome a financial crisis thanks to the clinic's help.
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