Law Foundation of Ontario Sponsors Level's National Youth Outreach Program

November 30, 2016

PRESS RELEASE

LEVEL RECIEVES GRANT FROM THE LAW FOUNDATON OF ONTARIO TO FURTHER EMPOWER INDIGENOUS YOUTH THROUGH SPECIALIZED JUSTICE EDUCATION

Toronto, ON – Level is excited to announce that it has received a new grant of $60,000 from The Law Foundation of Ontario for “Dare to Dream,” Level’s specialized justice education program for Indigenous youth throughout Canada.

Dare to Dream utilizes storytelling, mentorship by legal professionals, and interactive learning experiences like mock trials, sentencing circles, and justice focused field trips, to demystify the legal system and provide Indigenous youth with the confidence and skills to succeed.

“Level’s Board and I are thrilled to continue our partnership with The Law Foundation of Ontario in this new capacity,” said Brittany Twiss, Executive Director at Level. “The Foundation shares our vision for increasing access to justice for Indigenous communities through effective public legal education that is both empowering and tailored to meet their lived experiences with the law. This funding will enable Level to reach even more youth, as well as expand our leadership team.”

The funding comes from the Foundation’s national Access to Justice Fund, which is a distinct and permanent fund created by the Foundation after receiving its first cy-près award in 2009. To date, more than 130 grants have been made to projects that improve access to justice across the country.

“The overrepresentation of Indigenous children and youth in care and Indigenous adults in our jails and prisons point to a real problem in our country,” said Tanya Lee, CEO of The Law Foundation of Ontario. “Dare to Dream is helping Indigenous youth and justice sector players to better understand and respect each other and we’re pleased to be able to support Dare to Dream’s growth to new schools and new communities throughout Canada. This dedicated project funding also enables Level to further focus its efforts on gaining long term, sustained funding for the program,” added Lee.

Level would like to thank its Dare to Dream Elders and Indigenous advisors in Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan for their invaluable support, advice and encouragement in the continued development and delivery of the program.

For more information, watch Level’s Dare to Dream video, which features students from the First Nations School of Toronto.

About Level:

Level is a charitable organization that aims to unite the power of people, education and law to create a more equitable and just society. The organization achieves its mission through community programming that levels the playing field and increases access to justice for marginalized communities worldwide through education and mentorship.

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About The Law Foundation of Ontario:

Established by statute in 1974, The Law Foundation of Ontario is the sole foundation in Ontario with the mandate of improving access to justice. Through granting and collaboration, the Foundation invests in knowledge and services that help people understand the law and use it to improve their lives.

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For media inquiries, please contact Kenya-Jade Pinto, Level’s Director of Student Programs at studentdirector@leveljustice.org or 403-470-4967.