Community workers in Wagga Waga are meeting today to hear first-hand stories about
homelessness and the impact of the legal system on disadvantaged people.
The community service workers will
join a one-day training workshops presented by the Public Interest
Advocacy Centre (PIAC) and Legal Aid NSW. The workshop will also be held in Goulburn on 21 June.
Called Law for Non-Lawyers,
the workshops address common legal problems faced by people at risk of becoming
homeless and give community
workers the information they need to support early intervention around debt,
fines, social security and tenancy issues.
‘Workshop participants
hear first-hand accounts of individual experiences of homelessness and the
struggles these people go through to get back on their feet,’ said PIAC Senior
Training Officer, Ms Sarah Ludowici.
‘When you hear
these stories, you begin to appreciate how easy it is for life to get out of
control.
‘The workshop helps
community workers to identify pathways for addressing their clients’ problems before
they escalate into a situation where someone ends up homeless,’ Ms Ludowici said.
Law for Non-Lawyers also provides information about Legal Aid’s homeless
outreach service.
Legal Aid lawyer, Anna Nightingale (pictured), said
the aim of Legal Aid’s homeless outreach service is to assist clients to deal
with their legal issues.
‘This can break the cycle of
homelessness or prevent circumstances leading to homelessness,’ Ms Nightingale said.
MEDIA
CONTACTS:
Legal Aid NSW, Anna Nightingale: (02) 6921 6588. PIAC
Senior Media and Communications Adviser, Dominic O’Grady: 0478 739 280.