Our mission
- To stand up for justice, choice and equality.
- To champion the rights of women and children and other oppressed groups
- To transform discrimination into understanding, justice and equality.
Our vision for the community
- Poverty, patriarchy, exploitation and discrimination will no longer exist.
- Equality, respect and inclusion will prevail.
- The ideals of feminism will be the norm.
- Community and provincial systems and institutions will be dedicated to practicing true justice and equality.
Goals
- To provide one-on-one advocacy that provides information, support, representation and referral as needed in a non-judgmental setting which encourages self-advocacy.
- To provide a voice for the voiceless in our community and province particularly in situations of power imbalance.
- To make the issues of poverty, violence against women, mental illness, and child abuse and neglect visible in our community and beyond and to support others working on these issues.
- To encourage all members of our community to work towards prevention and solution of societal problems.
- To work with people in our community to ensure that everyone is aware of their rights and has access to justice and fair treatment
- To change unfair legislation, policy and practices on a national, provincial, and local level.
- To take care of ourselves and each other to create a safe, productive, stimulating, creative, challenging, enjoyable workspace.
Communities Served
We serve the West Kootenay region, including Nelson, the Slocan Valley, Salmo, Kaslo, Nakusp, Castlegar and Grand Forks. We are based in Nelson. Staff also travel to Castlegar, Salmo and Kaslo and provide service by phone, fax and email as required.
Funders
The Advocacy Centre is funded by:
• The Law Foundation of BC
• Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
• Legal Services Society
• Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
• Legal Services Society
The Advocacy Centre also gratefully receives donations from private funders.