The Ï㽶ֱ²¥’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tara Dean, who presented the award, said: “This is an excellent international example of a community-university partnership that is making a difference. Since starting in 2008, the CLASSIC project has served an average of 1100 clients a year through its various services including a Walk-In Advocacy Clinic. It is a worthy winner.”
In 2018 CLASSIC provided legal representation to over 750 low-income clients and helped another 250 obtain government-issued identification.
A significant number of the clients accessing CLASSIC services and advice are of Indigenous ancestry. CLASSIC says it is “committed to working with Indigenous people and groups in the design and delivery of their programs. This includes working with an Indigenous elder who provides cultural competency training for students and staff, having representation of Indigenous people on its board of directors, and promoting relationships in the community through community consultation and collaborations in program design and delivery”.