CLEO launches new project to support Francophone community workers

TORONTO – Community Legal Education Ontario/Éducation juridique communautaire Ontario (CLEO) has received funding through the Ontario government’s Francophone Community Grants Program.

The funding will support «Cap franco-juridique : Guides des intervenants », a new project to build the capacity of Francophone front-line community workers to identify legal issues, find reliable legal information, and connect people with legal services in French.

Community workers are often the first source of help people turn to when faced with a legal problem. They may help someone find housing, deal with an employment issue, or use government services.

With support from 10 partners on CLEO’s Francophone Legal Education Advisory Committee, the project will create digital resources and workshops for 120 front-line workers on housing and employment law, 2 of the most high-need areas.

“This project is about making sure that Francophone trusted intermediaries do not have to navigate the legal system alone or struggle to find help in their own language,” says Marie Koona, CLEO’s French Services Manager. “By giving community workers the training and tools they need, we can help people find the right legal information and services sooner. That means fewer wrong turns, fewer barriers, and better access to justice for Francophone communities across Ontario.

“CLEO gratefully acknowledges the support of Ontario’s Ministry of Francophone Affairs for its ongoing commitment to strengthening access to justice in French across the province.”

The project will have a lasting impact. CLEO will add these new digital resources to its website so that Francophone organizations across the province will have access to them. Participants will also have opportunities to continue learning from and working with one another after the training ends.

CLEO has a long history of producing and sharing practical and reliable legal rights information and education in French. CLEO is known for its bilingual website, Justice pas-à-pas, CLEO Connect’s Espace francophone, and strong partnerships with Francophone and bilingual organizations across Ontario.

This new project builds on that work. By strengthening the skills and resources of organizations that Francophones already trust, CLEO can help make it easier for people to find the right legal information and support in French when they need it.