COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

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Ellen Silvergieter oversees the work of St. Paul’s Advocacy Office.

ST. PAUL’S ADVOCACY OFFICE
A Friend Indeed

Sometimes what you really need is someone knowledgeable and understanding in your corner. An advocate. Someone to help you navigate the confusing maze of government bureaucracy, rules and regulations, rights and responsibilities.

Someone like Ellen Silvergieter, the director of St. Paul’s Advocacy Office, a free community service provided by St. Paul’s Anglican Church, in the heart of the West End.

The Advocacy Office offers information and support to persons experiencing difficulties in day-to-day issues such as accommodation needs, landlord-tenant disputes, health and disability issues, and access to social benefits and other government services. The Office does not offer money, food, clothing or shelter.

The St. Paul’s website explains that the Office’s “…clients include men and women, young and old, of all faiths and none, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or ethnicity. Most are residents of the West End or downtown, but many come from the lower mainland. They come having heard of the service mostly by word of mouth, but sometimes by referral from another agency. They all share a need for friendly help and support.”

After some experience as a street outreach worker with youth on Granville Street, Ellen started volunteering at the Office in 2000 and in 2004 took on the challenge of directorship. Her career path has included law studies at university, and a turn as a realtor and a business owner. “But I’ve always been a helper,” she says as she describes how she ended up where she is today. “I remember I used to help blind girls at school when I was young. It’s just what I felt I wanted to do.

Each of my work and volunteer experiences gave me something that helps me today. In many of the challenges I face every day, I can draw on those experiences.”

The Advocacy Office does not focus on specific issues or groups, but advocates for individual clients, not causes. No client is turned away and no problem left unheard.

“People are often so frightened when we first see them” said Ellen. “Worry about filing taxes, being caught up in a tenancy dispute, understanding and accessing disability benefits - every issue of that sort is stressful. Our reward comes when we get that grateful smile when we tell someone they’ve won a tenancy dispute and they aren’t going to be evicted or they receive that letter telling them that their disability application has been accepted.

“Just seeing someone smile when they’ve had nothing to smile about for so long."

In dealing with those daily challenges Ellen is supported by a team of six volunteer advocates. A trained advocate works with each client in a one-on-one situation to address his or her needs.

The advocate provides the client with information relevant to the issues involved, speaks on behalf of, and mediates for, the client, and represents the client at tribunals and other hearings. If appropriate, the advocate re-directs the client to a more specialized agency. Advocates have a broad knowledge base, offering a wide range of services.

Internet access is provided for clients to find information from government agencies and to download all kinds of application forms.

For more information about the assistance available through the St. Paul’s Advocacy Office visit their website here.