This article was originally published by the Nelson Star July 28, 2025.
For more than three decades, the Nelson CARES Advocacy Centre has provided legal advocacy services for vulnerable individuals and families throughout the Kootenay region.
Every year, the Centre helps hundreds of people navigate the complexities of legal and government systems, whether they’re disputing an unlawful eviction, applying for income assistance, or trying to resolve a family law matter without legal representation. In 2024 alone, the Centre responded to more than 700 requests for support.
“Many of the people we help are facing multiple pressures all at once,” says Amy Taylor, Program Manager and Community Legal Advocate, who has been with the Centre since 1998. “They may be trying to escape an unsafe relationship, recover from a job loss or care for dependents, often without financial reserves. Our job is to help them understand their rights and access available support.”
The rising cost of living in rural British Columbia is placing even greater strain on those already living on low or fixed incomes. More people are now living paycheque to paycheque, where a single unexpected expense, like a car repair or medical bill, can result in missed rent, food insecurity or lost services.
The Nelson CARES Advocacy Centre serves a broad region that includes Nelson, Castlegar, the Slocan Valley, Kaslo, Nakusp and surrounding communities. The Centre’s experienced team helps clients access income supports like disability and retirement benefits, resolve tenancy disputes and navigate family law challenges. Staff also refer individuals to other Nelson CARES programs, including affordable housing, victim services for survivors of violence and wellness programs for seniors.
“It’s not just about knowing your rights,” Taylor says. “It’s about having someone who can help you assert them effectively.”
How pooled trust accounts support legal services
Critical to the Advocacy Centre’s success is the funding it receives from the Law Foundation of British Columbia.
The Foundation’s support is generated through interest earned on lawyers’ pooled trust accounts – client funds held temporarily for transactions such as real estate closings or estate settlements. By choosing to place pooled trust accounts with Preferred Financial Institutions, which offer competitive interest rates, lawyers directly contribute to a stronger, more equitable justice system in BC.
The Foundation provides core, ongoing funding to more than 120 legal service programs in British Columbia, including 16 legal clinics and over 75 poverty and family law advocacy initiatives like the one operated by Nelson CARES.
Working together for improved legal access
As the pressures of inflation and housing insecurity intensify, the work of organizations like the Nelson CARES Advocacy Centre becomes even more essential, and so does the support of partners like the Law Foundation of BC. Together, they are supporting people in navigating legal and financial challenges with stability and fairness.
The Foundation extends its sincere appreciation to the legal professionals who choose to direct their pooled trust accounts to Preferred Financial Institutions, and to the dedicated advocates and staff who deliver these essential services across the province every day.