- Published:
- Friday 22 November 2024
Community legal services will be supported to continue their vital frontline work responding to vulnerable Victorians thanks to funding from the Allan Labor Government.
Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes today congratulated 23 community organisations who will share in a record investment of $12 million from the Victorian Legal Services Board (VLSB) grants program.
The grants will help fund projects that aim to support some of the most vulnerable people in our community. These include Aboriginal communities, young people and victims of family violence.
Mind Australia will receive a $1.18 million grant to establish health justice partnerships at Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals in Bendigo-Echuca, Dandenong and Melton – offering legal assistance to vulnerable people seeking help in health settings.
This year, three Aboriginal organisations are among the successful recipients with five projects focused on improving justice outcomes for Aboriginal people.
Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-operative Limited will receive $800,000 to help divert Aboriginal community members away from the criminal justice system.
Peninsula Community Legal Centre has received $400,000 to educate young people on family violence and youth crime through an interactive theatre program.
Since 2007, the VLSB grant program has funded innovative projects supporting people with complex legal problems who struggle to access the legal help they need.
For more information on the grants program, visit www.lsbc.vic.gov.au.
Quotes attributable to Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes
“These grants help ensure that everyone, regardless of their background or situation, has access to the legal support they need to navigate the justice system.”
“I wish the grant recipients all the best with their projects and thank them for making a real difference to the lives of the Victorians they support.”
Quote attributable to Victorian Legal Services Board CEO Fiona McLeay
“This year is one of our most diverse grants rounds yet and the opportunity for positive impact is profound. Not only have we been able to extend on previous work funded by the public purpose fund, we have been able to support innovative approaches that will benefit Victorians in new ways.”