Together for Justice
Together for Justice: Strengthening Access to Justice in Kawartha Lakes
Access to justice is about more than courts and legal systems—it’s about whether people can understand their rights, find help when they need it, and navigate complex systems with dignity and support. In rural and small communities, those challenges can be even more pronounced.
That’s why the Together for Justice initiative was launched. Led by the Kawartha Community Foundation, Together for Justice is a community-driven initiative designed to strengthen access to justice across the City of Kawartha Lakes by investing directly in local organizations and community-led solutions.
A $180,000 Investment in Community-Based Justice
Through Together for Justice, $180,000 is being invested locally to support organizations that are meeting people where they are—geographically, culturally, and emotionally. The Kawartha Community Foundation was awarded this funding in recognition of its demonstrated leadership, strong community relationships, and collaborative approach to addressing complex social issues. The initiative is funded by The Law Society of Ontario and Community Foundations of Canada, reflecting a shared commitment to community-informed, preventative approaches to justice.
What Together for Justice Supports
Rather than focusing solely on crisis response, Together for Justice prioritizes early intervention, prevention, and navigation—helping people access support before challenges escalate.
Funded activities include:
Legal education and rights awareness
Justice navigation and access supports
Restorative and diversion-based approaches
Practical supports that reduce barriers related to poverty, geography, trauma, age, youth involvement, and newcomer status
This flexible, trust-based approach recognizes that justice looks different across communities—and that local organizations are best positioned to define and deliver what’s needed.
Community Partners Leading the Work
Together for Justice proudly supports a diverse group of community partners delivering justice-related supports across Kawartha Lakes:
A Place Called Home (APCH): Providing transportation support to legal, court, and justice-related services for individuals facing housing instability and vulnerability.
🔗 https://www.apch.caCommunity Care City of Kawartha Lakes: Providing senior-focused justice education and cyber-fraud prevention to reduce exploitation and support early intervention.
🔗 https://ccckl.caKawartha Lakes & Haliburton Integrated Immigrant Services Association, in collaboration with the New Canadians Centre: Providing newcomer rights workshops and strengthened collaboration among service providers and employers to improve access to justice.
🔗 https://www.klhiisa.org | 🔗 https://nccpeterborough.caJohn Howard Society of the Kawarthas: Providing educational support as well as technology, and a safe spaces to access justice related services.
🔗 https://johnhoward.on.ca/kawartha/Kawartha Haliburton Victim Services: Providing mobile justice outreach, legal education, and navigation supports—particularly for residents in remote and rural communities.
🔗 https://victium-services.orgBoys and Girls Clubs of Kawartha Lakes: Supporting the Youth Justice Committee programming to enhance accountability, diversion, and positive outcomes for youth.
🔗 https://www.bgckawarthas.com/programs/support-services/youth-justice-committee-program/
Together, these organizations provide frontline support, education, advocacy, and restorative options that help residents navigate justice systems in ways that are practical, compassionate, and responsive to local realities.
Connected to System-Level Change: The KL HSJCC
Together for Justice is also aligned with the work of the Kawartha Lakes Human Services and Justice Coordinating Committee (KL HSJCC).
The KL HSJCC brings together partners from justice, health, housing, and social services to improve coordination, reduce service gaps, and better support individuals with complex needs who are involved with—or at risk of involvement with—the justice system.
While the HSJCC focuses on system-level coordination and planning, Together for Justice complements this work by investing directly in community-based delivery, strengthening collaboration, and supporting upstream approaches that reduce crisis-driven justice involvement.
Why This Matters
Access to justice is foundational to community well-being. When people can understand their rights, access services earlier, and resolve challenges in supportive ways, communities become healthier, safer, and more resilient.
Together for Justice reflects a shared belief that:
Local leadership matters
Collaboration strengthens outcomes
Community-rooted solutions lead to lasting impact
Learn More & Get Involved
Interested in learning more about justice and human services coordination in Kawartha Lakes?
Involved in an organization that supports access to justice?
We encourage you to explore the work of the Kawartha Lakes Human Services and Justice Coordinating Committee and opportunities to get involved:
👉 https://hsjcc.on.ca/kawartha-lakes-local-hsjcc/
Together, we’re strengthening fairness, dignity, and access through community-led solutions.