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Project Spotlight
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Welcome to Givewell's Project Spotlight. Each month we highlight a project for which a charity is currently seeking funds. We also provide details on how to give directly for this project. This month’s Project Spotlight features one of the three winners of the 2008 Givewell Good Giving Guide Charity Awards, winner of the Best Community Project Award.
Background Information: Welfare Rights Centre (SA) Inc. (WRCSA) is a Community Legal Centre which specialises in Social Security Law and provides free assistance to people in their dealings with Centrelink. It established a Housing Legal Clinic (HLC) in July 2006 to reduce the marginalisation of people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and to reduce the number of public and private tenants at risk of eviction from becoming homeless, through the facilitation of their access to pro bono legal services. Project Description: The HLC operates through the provision of pro bono legal services from five leading Adelaide law firms to clients of four homelessness services located in the City of Adelaide. It has created a structured opportunity for law firms to offer pro bono services which was not available before, as unlike the cities in the eastern States, Adelaide does not have a pro bono clearing house to foster the pro bono involvement of the legal profession. The HLC reduces the threat of homelessness through preventative action. For example, the lawyers can help keep people out of jail for trivial matters and can negotiate a reduction or waiving of fines, which has a positive impact on household finances. A key impact of the HLC appears to be that it opens the way for clients to get on top of seemingly insurmountable problems and begin taking control of their lives. Clients are better motivated to resolve problems and accept responsibility for moving on. Project Outcomes: There is a consensus that a majority of clients experience a considerable reduction in anxiety as a result of accessing the HLC while self confidence and self esteem improved markedly. Other features of the project which underline its success include: the service is free; it is informal and confidential; it is non-judgemental; it is provided at familiar venues where clients feel welcome and comfortable; and it is problem-based and action-orientated. In the first year the HLC volunteer lawyers saw 253 clients and the success of the project is due to the partnerships between the state government, commercial law firms and community organisations. As of 30 June 07 approximately $580,000 worth of pro bono service was created by the law firms, and it is estimated that a minimum of $770,000 worth of pro bono services will be generated in 07/08 for a government investment of about $70,000. “Overall, it is clear that the establishment of the Housing Legal Clinic has been a transforming experience – for the clients, for the volunteer lawyers, for the centres which support the homeless and for the law firms providing pro bono services.” – Evaluation Report 2007. The Future: The WRCSA has also been involved in extending the HLC model to other services. A partnership is being formed with financial services organisations for the provision of financial counselling at the host organisations currently hosting legal clinics. Progress is also underway for the provision of free dental services at one of the host organisations, using the same model. Can donors/grant makers give directly for this project? Yes. All donations over $2 are tax deductible. Contact Details for Further Information: Mr Bill Manallack Housing Legal Clinic Coordinator Ph: (08) 8226 4123 Mob: 0417 535 235 Email: bill-m@wrcsa.org.au Web: www.wrcsa.org.au Previous Project Spotlights
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