How to find an advocate or free legal information
An advocate is someone who can inform you what your rights are, help you fill in forms, defend your rights and help you appeal government decisions. Where available, local resources are mentioned.
To find advocacy resources in other areas of the province, go to the PovNet website—www.povnet.org—or refer to the telephone and online resources sections of this Guide.
Local Resources
Legal Aid & Outreach Information
Criminal law, Family law, access to LawLine, printed information.
Drop-In Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-11:30, 2pm-4:30
106-100 Main Street, Penticton 250-493-7164
Legal information outreach workers can:
provide on site internet access to LawLINK to find legal information and self-help kits on the internet
give people printed legal information
Penticton & Area Women’s Centre
Poverty Law Advocacy
Telephone: 250-493-6822 Toll-free: 1-866-493-6822 Fax: 250-493-6827
email: @pawc.ca www.pawc.ca
209, 304 Martin Street, Penticton, B.C. V2A 5K4
The Centre is open Monday to Thursday, 11:00 a.m.—2:00 p.m. for women’s drop in.
In addition advocacy service is available as follows:
Women (by appointment): Mon-Thurs 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
Men and women (drop-in) Tues and Thurs 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm.
Men (by appointment only) Mon – Thurs 9:00 – 10:00 am
or drop in 2:00 – 4:00 pm, Tues and Thurs
Issues handled: Poverty Law Advocacy: Tenancy rights. Income security including: welfare, employment insurance, Canada Pension Plan, disability, income assistance. Assistance with filling out forms, information and resources, speaking on behalf of and with clients about their rights, assist and represent clients at tribunals, arbitrations and hearings. Service available in English, German.
Salvation Army Community and Family Services, Law Clinic
Telephone: 250-492-4788 Fax: 250-492-8813
2399 South Main Street, Penticton, B.C. V2A 5J1
Handles civil law issues, that is, all matters that do not fall under criminal or family law. Half hour appointments with volunteer lawyers.
12:00 - 2:00 p.m. – Wednesdays, by appointment
South Okanagan Mental Health Advocate
to be appointed Contact: the Mental Health Centre Telephone: 250-770-3555
Serves men and women referred by Interior Health Association.
This service provides assistance to adults with mental illnesses seeking assistance with a variety of problems which include but are not limited to: provincial disability applications and appeals, CPP disability applications and appeals, and WCB appeals.
South Okanagan Women In Need Society
Emergency shelter for women who are experiencing abuse. Outreach program includes advocacy services: assistance with understanding and protecting your rights when dealing with government, legal and community agencies. Help making calls, letter writing and attending appointments. Completion of disability assessor reports for women who have experienced abuse. Individual and group counselling, safety planning, family court support. Safe Home Program for Older Women; Children Who Witness Abuse Counselling Program. 24 telephone support.
email: sowins@telus.net www.sowins.com
Office: 218, 246 Martin Street, Penticton, B.C. V2A 5K3
Telephone: (administration) 250-493-4366 Fax: 250-493-3158
Transition House: 250-493-7233 Toll-free: 1-800-814-2033
Community Legal Assistance Society http://clasbc.net
Suite 300 - 1140 West Pender Street Vancouver, BC, V6E 4G1
Phone: 604-685-3425 - Fax: 604-685-7611 - Toll Free: 1-888-685-6222