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12–13 IT TAKES COURAGE TO HAVE HOPE. LOUISE E. JOHNSON WHO WE ARE, WHAT WE DO Since 1951, the Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa has been providing confidential programs to women and young women who are, or may become, criminalized. We are a community-based, not-for-profit agency helping women and their families make changes… WHO WAS ELIZABETH FRY? Elizabeth Fry was a British Quaker who worked to improve conditions for women incarcerated in poorhouses in England in the early 1800s. Early in 1813, Elizabeth Fry visited the women’s section of Newgate Prison in London for the first time, and was shocked by the appalling conditions in which the female prisoners and their children were kept. Fry’s first innovation was the establishment of a school for the children of the prisoners. She and her lady-collaborators then introduced a system of …one step at a time. classification of the prisoners, prison dress, constant supervision by a matron and monitors (chosen from among the prisoners), religious and elementary education, and paid employment. The result was a remarkable transformation of the daily life, the outward appearance, and the conduct of the prisoners. To give the work a more permanent basis, in April 1817 the Ladies’ Association for the Reformation of the Female Prisoners in Newgate was founded, which extended in 1821 into the British Ladies’ Society for Promoting the Reformation of Female Prisoners. This appears to have been the first nationwide women’s organization in Britain. Inspired by her efforts, and encouraged by the Archambault Report which stressed the benefits of visiting people in prison, in 1951, five volunteers from the University Women’s Club of Ottawa began to visit women incarcerated in the Ottawa Jail. From these early beginnings, the Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa has grown, with the continuing assistance of funds from individuals and the United Way, as well as federal, provincial, and regional governments. WE OFFER: > Transitional housing for women at J.F. Norwood House > Support, advocacy, court accompaniment and information to women during the court process, including domestic violence cases and assistance for those unexpectedly released from court > Support for criminalized mothers and their children > The diversionary-based Direct Accountability Program for eligible adults charged with minor offences > Advocacy initiatives with provincial and national Elizabeth Fry Societies > Individual and group counselling > Crisis intervention > Volunteer-based programs, including court support and prison visitation > Anger programming for women and youth > Peer Support Counselling > Theft prevention programming for women, men and youth > Health Promotion Programming > Addiction and relapse prevention programming > Family reintegration support > Housing search, stabilization and eviction prevention > Aboriginal specific support services > Community reintegration planning and programs at the Ottawa Carleton Detention Centre > Prison in-reach and support services to provincially and federally incarcerated women > Outreach support, group programs and referrals for sex workers 2 > Programs and services for at-risk young women and their families ANNUAL REPORT 12–13 ELIZABETH FRY SOCIETY OF OTTAWA > Public education and research BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STAFF EXECUTIVE Cat Baron Maryse Lepage Angela Peterson Tracy Engelking STAFF OF THE ELIZABETH FRY SOCIETY OF OTTAWA President Vice-President Treasurer Secretary DIRECTORS Diana Majury – CAEFS/CEFSO Liaison Yolande Raymond Lisa Gregoire Theresa Kiefer Nadira Mangray-Gupta Guy Bahati Takayi Chibanda The Board of Directors is comprised of community members who volunteer their time and bring their expertise to assist in guiding the direction of the Society. Their time is an immeasurable gift, greatly appreciated by all who touch, or who are touched by, the Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa. Operations and Programs Baker, Anjulee Baxter, Bryonie Buda, Giovanna Carscadden, Bob Collins, Sophie Delic, Svjetlana Doucet, Denise Dubien, Lynn Easton, Debs Fox, Andrea Golden, Jessic Hasbani, Tania Jackson-Brown, Michelle Kaulback, Deborah LeBlanc, Nicole Linteris, Melissa Maillet, Mia Marion, Marie-Josée Martinez, Yoshie Orlando, Elise Sugden, Elysia Surgeson, Chantal Tang, Julie Youth Reintegration Worker (Parental Leave February 2012) Executive Director Addictions/Relapse Prevention Counsellor Accountant Youth Counsellor/L’Orignal Community Justice Worker Theft Prevention Program Facilitator/Community Counsellor Court Support Counsellor/Volunteer Coordinator* Executive Assistant Aboriginal Liaison/Peer Support Worker* (contract ended) Manager of Adult and Youth Services* Community Liaison Worker Community Justice Worker (Returned from Parental Leave September 2012) Housing Support Worker* Manager of Youth Services* Volunteer Coordinator Manager of Adult and Youth Services Theft Prevention Program Facilitator* Housing Support Worker Anger Program Counsellor/ Substance Abuse Diversion Facilitator Interim Community Justice Worker* (contract ended) Office Administrator* Director of Operations Office Administrator President Cat Baron and CEFSO/CAEFS Representative and Board Member Diana Majury receive 2013 Ontario Government Volunteer Service Awards on June 6, 2013. Cat has been volunteering with the agency as a Board member since November 2007 and Diana has been volunteering with the agency as a Board member since 2005. HELPING WOMEN PUT THE PIECES BACK TOGETHER 3 J.F. Norwood House Alarie, Danielle Allenby, Kim Ashford, Sarah Ayoub, Jessica Biancardi, Nina Bissonnette, April Callaghan, Michaela Erturk, Sibel Finch, Emily George, Terri Lynn Guido, Jennifer Hawkes-Frost, Caitlin Hazlewalsh, Erin Hepworth, Ashley Howat, Kyrsten Jelly, Carmen Lavigne, Debra Leslie, Janice Peterkin, Leanne Rice, Samantha Simon, Melissa Surgeson, Stefanie Teoli, Stephanie Triol, Brynn Welch, Elisha *Left During 2012/13 4 ANNUAL REPORT 12–13 ELIZABETH FRY SOCIETY OF OTTAWA Relief Part-Time* Relief Relief Manager of Residential Services* Assistant Manager of Residential Services Full-Time Part-Time Relief* Full-Time* Part-Time* Relief* Relief* Relief Relief* Manager of Residential Services Relief Part-Time* Part-Time Manager of Residential Services* Relief* Relief Full-Time Relief* Relief SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO OUR SPONSORS, FINANCIAL SUPPORTERS AND IN-KIND CONTRIBUTORS: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Anglican Church of Canada Accurate Design & Communication Inc. Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa Brighter Tomorrow Future’s Fund Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa City of Ottawa Community Foundation of Ottawa Correctional Services Canada GE Foundation General Mills Human Resources and Skills Development Canada Law Foundation of Ontario MetLife Alumni Association Ministry of the Attorney General Ministry of Children and Youth Services Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services Ontario Trillium Foundation Ottawa Food Bank RONA Scotiabank TELUS The Government of Ontario The Home Depot Canada Foundation The Properties Group United Way/Centraide Ottawa United Way of Greater Simcoe County …and special thanks to all others who have generously supported the Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa throughout the years, including Suzanne Edwards, Brad Babineau, Ian Roberts, Julia Wagg, Jennifer Evans, Jennifer Lynch, Angela Murphy, Mary Theresa Cummings, Sybil Brake, Peter Beach and Charles Robb. HELPING WOMEN PUT THE PIECES BACK TOGETHER 5 AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO OUR SUPPORTERS The Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa places a high value on our relationship with you, our donors. Without your support we would not be able to achieve our mission, which is as follows. “The Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa is devoted to working with women and young women who have been criminalized as well as those who may become criminalized.” We thank you for your commitment to us. We believe that transparency and accountability are essential to our success. With this in mind, in the 2012–2013 year we were members of Imagine Canada’s Ethical Code Program. The Ethical Fundraising and Financial Accountability Code lays out a set of standards for charitable organizations to manage and report their financial affairs responsibly. By adhering to these standards, we are complying with generally accepted practices for soliciting and managing donor dollars. This is important because you, our supporters, are entitled to transparency and the greatest impact possible for your investment in us. If you have any questions about our adherence to the Ethical Code, please feel free to contact us, visit our website, or download/request a copy of our financial statements. You can also download the Ethical Code itself by going to www.imaginecanada.ca. 6 ANNUAL REPORT 12–13 ELIZABETH FRY SOCIETY OF OTTAWA HELPING WOMEN PUT THE PIECES BACK TOGETHER 7 8 ANNUAL REPORT 12–13 ELIZABETH FRY SOCIETY OF OTTAWA WE ACKNOWLEDGE AND GIVE WARM THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING VOLUNTEERS WHO VOLUNTEERED IN THE 2012–2013 YEAR. Adel Chemli Adele Bradley Adriana Sirskyj Airesse MacPhee Akada James Alanna Bingham Alanna Myles Albertine Koko-Mpaka Aleksandra Czyzonska Alexandera Gaysek Alexandra Fottinger Alison Doherty Allison Burton Allison Conway Allison Medjuck Allyson Slate Alynn Rush Alyssa Cousineau Amal Duale Amanda Bettencourt Amanda Boyce Amanda Braithwaite Amanda Dam Amanda Rotondo Amanda Saulnier Amanda Swant Amber Chouinard Amber McDermid Amelie Chapedelaine Amélie Doyon Ami Charlebois Amie Afihene Amy Campbell Amy Roesner Angela Lynn Severson Angela Taylor Angela Ziebarth Angelina Filip Angelina Ngandu Angelina Ngandu Mbuyi Angie Yakub Anik Lamothe Anisa Ahmed Anita Grace Anita Grace Ann Flindall Anna Nyiri Anna Principato Anne Gall Anne Girard Anne Harris Anne-Christine Asselin Ansha Thirumeny Anushka Rankothge April Young Aranka Golphy Arielle Stockdale Arshia Bhatti Arshina Kassam Ashlee Barber Ashley Eager Ashley Edwards Ashley Gladwish Ashley Harrison Ashley Hepworth Ashley McConnell Ashley McCullough Ashley Steele Ashlin Kelly Baillie Koletar Beant Sidhu Beatrize Contreras Beatrize Elena Garcia Bethany Trudeau Beverly Orser Blair Anne Cooper Boutbaa Fatiha Brittney Whaley Caitlin Downing Caitlin Maxwell Caitlin Radmore Carolina Florez Caroline Cyr Caroline Gerbac Caroline Horsburgh Caroline Ostrom Caroline Vincent Carolyn Gerbac Caryn Zeesman Cassandra Khatchikian Catherine Albert Catherine Berus Catherine Denis Catherine Giguere Catherine Maslowiec Catina Noble Cecile Boisvert Cecily Copola Celine Beaudoin Celine Courchesne Chandler Thomas Chantal Chaput Chantal Curry Chantel Spade Charmaine Atrooshi Chelsea Sutcliffe Chloe Perrault ChrisAnn Alvarez Chrissy Payne Christie Holden Christina Roy Christina Sanders Christina Wright Christine Harrison Cindy Lefebrve Claire Bodelet Claire Francone Clara Mejia Clare McKennirey Claudette Kohut Claudia Bezold Colantha Welker Colleen McGlade Courtney Ostapiuk Courtney Schlattman Courtney Studiman Courtney West Cristina Martinez Crystal Dorion Cynthia Watson Dahlia Seligman Dalyce Cloes Damaris Ponce Perez Daniella Jones Danielle Bartlett Danielle Lepine Danielle McKeen Daphne Braniek Dawn Jones Dawn Potter Dayna Cross Debbie Cole Debbie Levesque Deborah Lempogo Deborah MacAskill Denise Resnick Diana Rank Diane Cross Diane Dooley Diane Jung Dida Seminari Disha Phillip Diva Bortolussi Dominique Ponce Donna Richardson Donna Stainthorpe Dorota Salvail Dorothy Rogers Eileen Hawkins Elena Cote Elissa Leng Elizabeth Anderson Elizabeth Jones Elizabeth Lay Elizabeth Ludlow Ella Heyder Ellie McFarlane Elyse Lasalle Emanuelle Bourbonnais Emily Hostland Emily Keilty Emily McGuire Emily Racine Emily Tibbits-Lamirande Emma Leroux Emmanuel Otchere Emmanuel Otchere Emmanuelle Marchand Erica Myers Erika Randall Erin McRae Erin Saucier Fatemah Ahmadpour Fatiha Boutba HELPING WOMEN PUT THE PIECES BACK TOGETHER 9 Fatima Asimi Fatima Daham Felicia Tse Fidelite Nininahazwe Fiona Wilkes Francine Hong Gabrielle Beaulieu Gabrielle Harris Gaelle Jean-Louis Gayane Panosian Gladys Munoz Grace Hummel Gracia Ngandu Gwen Nimeroski Hafsa Aden Hannah Shaikh Hazel Gashoka Hazel Moore Heather Bell Heather Gray Heather Hughes Heather L McBurney Heather Michel Heather Wherry Heidi Smith Heidi Winters Helena Bandayrel Hiba Yusuf Hilary McIntosh Hishama Mohammed Fadil Houda Gasmi Irina Romanenko Isabell MacKay Jacqueline Benoit Jade McMurray Jana McCracken Janet Richardson Janet Webster Janie Papineau Janine Kiefer jannik Cormier Jasmine Pickel Jeanelle Dundas Jeff Fisher Jemile Amador Jen Asselstine Jen Garley Jenn Kuntz 10 Jenna Boje Jenna Pilon Jennah Lewandoski Jennah-Lee Milks Jennifer Benedict Jennifer Boyczuk Jennifer Farquharson Jennifer Macioca Jennifer Nolan Jenny Hanson Jerene Sutherland Jessi Casebeer Jessica Abi Abdallah Jessica Allen Jessica Barthelemy Jessica Lacroix Jessica Radford Jessica Smith Jillian Osborne Jimena Bordes Joanie Roy Joanne Blackburn Jocelyn Kartes Jodie-Lee Primeau Joel Routliff Joelle Drouin Jordan Alexander Josee Lalande Josée Lalonde Josiane Jobin Joyce Cynthia Pierre Judy Williams Julia Halverson Julia Li Julia Mazani Julia Tousaw Julianna Cronk Julianne Hiledie Julie Emond Julie Lalonde Julie Nguyen June Cummings Justine Villeneuve Kadene Massop Kainat Bashir Kaitlin Johnston Kaitlin Melendy Kaitlyn Webster ANNUAL REPORT 12–13 ELIZABETH FRY SOCIETY OF OTTAWA Kaleigh Barnes Kari Parkhouse Karine Levesque Kate Duplessis Kate Grantham Katerine Parisien Katherine BrodieDinsdale Katherine Cassidy Katherine Currie Katherine Lovett Katherine Manicom Katherine Quinn Kathleen Selkirk Kathryn Bliss Kathryn Pereira Katie Johnson Katie Lafleche Katrina Goed Katrina O’brien Kayla Lavoie Kayla Resnick Kayla Shabsove Keisha Morant Kelli Henessey Kelly Wilson Kelsey Burrow Kelsey Lockman Keri Davis Keshia Alleyne Keshia Huggins Khadije Joubaili Kim Cyr Kim Hunt Kimberle Husbands Kimberley Veitch Kimberlin Mackey Kimberly Holness Kimberly O’Donnell Kimberly Sanders Kourtney Hall Kourtney Hall Krista Thomas Kristal Harrison Kristen Gandza Kristen Knapp Kristen Knapp Kristin Booker Kristina Pille Kyla Douthwaite Kyla Marcoux Kyla Rafuse Kyrstan Howat Laura Aylsworth Laura Cunningham Laura Luketa Laura Moffat Laura Monette Laura Webb Lauren Edwards Lauren Guest Lauren Hanley Leah Weiler Leila Rami Lesley Ann Tarasoff Lesley-Ann Reed Lianne Slaughter Lindsay Hinch Lindsay Jones Lindsey Quennell Lisa Bianco Lisa Cyr Lisa Gallant Lisa Holmes Lisa Kelly Lisa Scott Lisa Scott Lisa Somerset Lise-Anne Bielak Lois Kerr Lori Brooks Lowhut Rahella Bella Lucie Tremblay Lyndra Griffith Lynn Forest Maggie Embury Maggie Rafferty Maha Mashhadi Mallory Lavin Mallory Reid Maloup Esnault Mandy Plassay-West Marci Beitner Maria Leocruz Marie Ange Pauline- Umutoni Marie-Josee Frenette Marissa Gallan Marlene Moreau Marnie McGlade Marta Albinowski Marta Kozolowska Mary Anne Carter Mary Anne Causyn Maryse Lepage Mathew Harding Meagan Pereira Meaghan Landry Megan Gareau Megan Grossett Megan Nesland Meghan Boulanger Melanie Brown Melanie Cleroux Melinda Westgarth Melissa Dupuis St-Pierre Melissa Fawcett Melissa Goncalves Melissa Ibrahim Melissa Supersad Melissa Thornton Melissa Villemaire Merveilles Kipuni Muaka Merveilles Kipuni-Muaka Mia Omara Michaela Alexis Micheline Mutoba Michelle Brown Michelle Hennessey Michelle Lafreniere Michelle Segger Michelle Somarriba Mindy Menard Mireille Etheir Mitra Thompson Mojdeh Ferdosian Moli Reoch Monika Hajzer Myriam Ansoada Nabiha Khan Nadine Johnson Nadine Johnson Nadya Stewart Naketa Marshall Nancy Jolicoeur Nancy Mpoy Naomi Baptiste Narmeen Hashim Natalie Hiller Natalie Sache Natalina Dinardo Natascha Ramos Natasha Grewel Natasha Jaffer Natasha Lorincz Nathifa Regis Nazgol Namazi Nesrin Terk Nicole Leuis Nikhat Firdous Nujhat Bashir Olivia Reid Oliwia Wisniewska Patricia Graca Patricia Wallinger Paula Hirshmann Paulette Ward Penka Trendafi lova Persha Baisden Rachel Herz-Fischler Rachel Meulmeester Rachelle La Salle Rahel Abajobir Rami Leila Ramissa Hirji Randa Rihani Rebecca Comeau Rebecca Langille Rowe Rebecca Nicklin Reema Chawla Regina Behnk Ria Vaghani Rickie-Lee Doyle Rita Kiapway Roberta Delle-Picca Robin Brown Robyn Harrison Rosa Ondo Rosalie Hiscock Rosanne Wall Roshi Golrasan Roxana Delimon Rufi ne Mbog Ruth Gauthier Ryan Watson Sabrina Ottoni Salma Ali Samantha MacKenzie Samantha Manning Samantha Srigley Samantha Styczynsky Samantha Toffolo Samantha Turner Samantha Young Sandra Allen Sandra Leclair Sandra McLaughlin Sangeeta Sukumaran Santana Coyle Sara MacNaull Sara Pedroso Sarah Detre HELPING WOMEN PUT THE PIECES BACK TOGETHER 11 Sarah Deveau Sarah Fiander Sarah Galarneau Sarah Hennick Sarah Jeong Sarah Logan Sarah Mack Sarah MacLean Sarah Marchilon-White Sarah Mullen Sarah Murray Sarah Nourishad Sarah Peek Sarah Robus Sarah Sanders Sarah Wiggins-Galarneau Sarah Wilson Sekyen Gang Selina Basudde Shallon Varrin Shana Hickey Shanick Beaupierre Shannise Kleuskens Shannon Corkery Shannon Watson Sharron Burnett Shawana Shah Sheila Steeves Shelly Chawla Sherese Hill Sherri Montone Siobhen Corrigan Skye Sullivan Sonia Canelon Sophia Sahota Sophie Cousineau Sophie Somana Zunamu Stacy Illman Steacy Donaldson Steph Cheppire Steph Rilette Steph Roberts Stephanie Fasaneau Stephanie Fortunato Stephanie Fradette Stephanie Lecuyer Stephanie McCintosh Stephanie Plummer Stephanie Rilett Stephanie Zak Sue Johnson Suzan Dorling Suzanne Waddington Suzie Kwasniok Sydney White Sylvia Collins Sylvia Smith Tahmar Baptiste Taly Salyn Tamara Rowe Tania Rozarian Tania Seguin Taylor Macloid Teodora Dinu Tessa Bell Theresa Ratneiya Tiana Iacobani Tiffany Dagenais Tiffany Hong Tiffany Smith Tracey Dow Tracy Lay Uchennah Samuel Urge Ibrahim Urszula Karwowska Valentina Abril Valentina Politis Vanessa Abban Vanessa Reshitnyk Vani Govindarajan Vanya Predovic Vaughn Charlton Veronique Dagenais Veronique Paradis Veronique Sanscartier Victoria Dorey Victoria Mansour Virginia Dolinska Wendy Lee Whitney Cousins Yatyin Cheng Yolanda Campos Yulia Samokish Zahra Hosseini • Total number of active volunteers in 2012–2013 was 158 for a total of 2,281 hours. 12 ANNUAL REPORT 12–13 ELIZABETH FRY SOCIETY OF OTTAWA PRESIDENT’S REPORT Four years ago, in September of 2009, I humbly accepted the nomination to be the President of the Board of Directors for the Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa. As I reflect on how fast those four years have gone, I can’t help but feel overwhelmingly proud of the agency and the Board with which I have worked all these years. I am also struck by the number…4…it has always been a significant number for me. Here are some quick examples from my personal life. There are 4 people in my family, each with a birthday in one of the 4 seasons, each born under one of the 4 elements (fire, earth, water, air), and both of my children were born on the 4th day of the month. I was married on the 7th day of the 7th month in the 7th year of the new millennium, on our 7th anniversary together (four 7s). Indeed, the number 4 is personally significant. CAT And now, having spent 4 years as your President, it seems that the number is professionally significant too. I feel confident in saying that these have been productive years for the Board and for the agency. One only needs to read the Executive Director’s report, review the descriptions of and reports from the agency’s programs, compare financial reports year-to-year, or examine the client service statistics to become aware of just how much this agency has accomplished in the last few years. But since this is my last President’s report, I want to look ahead... not back. When I stepped into the role 4 years ago, it was my personal goal to step down at a time when there was forward momentum, where the Board and agency were positioned and stable, where they were poised to continue growing, evolving and building on the solid foundation established by the good people with whom I have been fortunate enough to serve. Last spring, we had a Board Strategic Planning retreat, where we developed new strategic goals to guide our work. Our areas of focus are: relocation, governance, board engagement, fundraising, public relations and celebration. Let’s take a look at each of these areas. RELOCATION: The Board’s focus since 2009, my first year as the President, has been to support the agency in working toward the relocation of our community residential facility, J.F. Norwood House. To be honest, I was hoping that we would have a new house before my term as President ended, but at least we have made some very significant strides forward, and there is continued work on this exciting prospect. GOVERNANCE: Our secondary focus in my first year as President was to continue to move away from being operationally-centred to becoming a governance Board. With a solid base of policies and procedures, renewed strategic goals, a dynamic and competent management team, and healthy financial resources, I believe that we have accomplished this transition. The Board’s focus in this area now is to ensure our by-laws comply with changes in legislation, to build a viable and credible succession plan for the Board and the agency, and to define the Board’s decision-making framework and committee structure. HELPING WOMEN PUT THE PIECES BACK TOGETHER 13 BOARD ENGAGEMENT: It is essential to maintain a healthy and involved Board, so we are continuing to develop our ability to monitor and maintain the engagement of members around the table. We are also focused on identifying and leveraging the skill-set of Board members to the benefit of the agency, and providing opportunities for professional development. FUNDRAISING: Funding is always a priority for non-profit world, so one of the Board’s priorities is to better establish our abilities and efforts in fundraising for the agency. Our plan over the next couple of years is to develop a bequest program, to explore corporate donation, and to establish a communications framework through which to better share the agency’s story (with a purpose of impacting funders and donors as they are made aware of the realities faced by the women who rely on our programs and services). PUBLIC RELATIONS The Board is determined to define how our Directors can be best leveraged to support the agency’s community partnerships and engagement, and the community’s awareness of issues affecting our work and our clients. CELEBRATION In 2016, the Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa will mark its 65th year as an agency. The original Elizabeth Fry, the British Quaker who dedicated much of her life advocating for prisoners, died at the age of 65. It is our goal to observe this unique milestone, and we will begin identifying and assessing the options for this celebration soon after our 2013 AGM. I believe that my “forward momentum” goal has been realized. The Board and agency are well positioned to move forward with their essential services, and I feel proud too have been part of the growth and development of both entities. It has been an absolute pleasure to serve you, and I am so grateful for all I have gained through my service to the Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa. Thank you, merci, meegwetch, nia:wen (4 ways to express my gratitude)! Cat Baron President of the Board of Directors Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa 14 ANNUAL REPORT 12–13 ELIZABETH FRY SOCIETY OF OTTAWA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE This has been another busy, but fruitful year for the Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa. In spite of all of the challenges we have faced in this tough economic and political climate, we continue to do what we do best—serve our clients with integrity, commitment and resolve—with a clear vision and high hopes for the future. We serve between 9,000 and 11,000 clients every year and provide a wrap-around service from first appearance at court to many months or even years post release. So what does wrap-around service really look like to our clients? Our volunteers meet with women in first appearance court and those released from court will receive assistance right at the Ottawa court house. Here we also manage the Justice On Target Diversion program to divert eligible people away from custodial sentences. This Diversion program is now also offered by us in the L’Orignal court house. BRYONIE If the client is remanded into custody before trial, our Community Liaison Worker assists clients throughout their period of remand at the Ottawa Carleton Detention Centre. If sentenced to a custodial sentence, our staff provide monthly in-reach to the two federal prisons for women (GVI in Ontario and Joliette in Montreal) and to the provincial jail for women (Vanier Centre for Women in Milton) during their entire incarceration. Post-sentence clients can receive support from us, free of charge, for as long as they determine they require it either while in the community or during residency at our transition house—JF Norwood House. Our residence now offers 10 beds for women reintegrating following a federal sentence, 3 beds for women reintegrating following a provincial sentence and two community beds which are usually filled by women coming through drug treatment court or bail. Reintegration programs include theft and fraud prevention, anger programming, trauma and abuse counselling, relationship/family reintegration counselling, addiction counselling and relapse prevention programming, housing stabilization and housing search assistance. Starting in the 2011–2012 fiscal year and now continuing for the third year, we are providing a rural homeless prevention program. This service is now added to our Housing Support program already offered in the Ottawa area through funding from the City of Ottawa. Serving the rural communities surrounding the Ottawa area, we now offer housing loss prevention/housing retention and housing search assistance to rural women and their families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. We are grateful to federal government funds administered through the United Way of Simcoe County for the continuation of funding to continue this important work. Each year we helped over 40 women with this service. We also offer programming for youth and in-reach to youth who are sentenced to open or closed custody facilities. Reintegration supports for youth include anger programming, theft prevention, family counselling, self-esteem groups such as the popular Love yourself, Love Life group for teen girls, general reintegration assistance and general counselling. January 2012 saw the start of a new program funded by General Mills of Canada for one year which ended January 2013. Through this program, we were able to offer a counselling/health promotion group for children of incarcerated parents. In addition, over the past year, we have also been invited into schools where we have delivered sexting presentations to educate over 900 youth as to what sexting is, the legal, social and emotional risks, and how to prevent victimization. These are tough times for our clients. The global financial crisis has been having an impact locally and documentation of the results of that impact is starting to be released now. The number of families living in Ottawa Emergency Shelters went up almost 32% between 2004 and 2011, with the number of single people living in these shelters increasing by 26% in the same period. (Alliance to End Homelessness Backgrounder, May 25, 2012). The average bachelor apartment in Ottawa now rents for $727 a month or $8,724 annually, whereas a single individual on Ontario Works will receive only $7,188 annually. This means that the HELPING WOMEN PUT THE PIECES BACK TOGETHER 15 average rent for even a bachelor apartment takes up the entire income of a single individual on Ontario Works, leaving them short over $1,500 annually, and that doesn’t account for food or heating or bills or any other expenses. For a single parent with one child on the Ontario Disability Support Program, the annual income is $19,940 and yet the average cost of a 2 bedroom apartment in Ottawa is $1,086 per month or $13,032 per year. Breaking this down into real numbers, this would leave a single mom on ODSP with just over $6,000 a year or $575 per month to feed and clothe herself and her child, not to mention pay for heat, a phone and all of the other bills accrued in the life of a typical family. Since we know that poverty is a major risk factor for the criminalization of women and girls, these numbers are of serious concern to us. Sadly, funding for the Aboriginal Liaison/Peer Support Worker, which had allowed us to hire for two years an Aboriginal woman with lived experience to assist clients, ended in March 2013. We are grateful to the Law Foundation of Ontario for the funding to run this program for the past two years. We are always looking for ways to improve service delivery to Aboriginal clients given that we have the highest number of Aboriginal clients reintegrating post incarceration in the province of Ontario. To this end, we continually look for sources of funding to better support our First Nation, Métis and Inuit clients. Thanks to some terrific research undertaken by the Native Women’s Association of Canada, we now better understand the terrible links between the impact of residential schools not only on survivors, but on their descendants. We also better understand the correlation of this impact on increased criminalization of Aboriginal women and girls. In order to improve our agency’s level of service to Aboriginal women and girls, in April 2013 we contracted with two local Aboriginal woman to develop and run Healing Circles for criminalized and at-risk Inuit, First Nations’ and Metis women and girls who are intergenerational survivors of Residential schools. We are grateful for funding from the Anglican Church to be able to run these Healing Circles during this current fiscal year for one year only, and are very lucky to have recruited two extraordinary women, Geraldine King who is a First Nations woman and Darlene Gear-White who is an Innu woman, to develop and deliver the program. The Elizabeth fry Society of Ottawa also continues to be a major player in the Ottawa social services sector and takes an active role on a number of justice-related committees in Ottawa including the Adult and Youth Mental Health Court Stakeholders Committees, the Community Adult Justice Network, the Human Services and Justice Coordinating Committees of Ottawa, Pembroke and Cornwall, the Ontario Half Way House Association and many more. This year, in our efforts to better support youth at risk of criminalization, we also began participating in the Advisory Committee on Equity of the Ottawa Carleton District School Board. I also participated in 17 media interviews during the year on stories related to our mandate. As part of the Province’s Ten Year Mental Health strategy, representatives from the youth justice, mental health, addiction, education, Francophone and Aboriginal service sectors were invited to participate in the provincial Systems Improvement through Service Collaboratives (SISC) initiative. I also now sit on this Collaborative as the Executive Director of the Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa with the goal of improving access to mental health services and improving justice outcomes for criminalized and at-risk youth with mental health issues. 16 ANNUAL REPORT 12–13 ELIZABETH FRY SOCIETY OF OTTAWA The Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa has had, as you can see, a very full and eventful year and, given the current financial outlook and recent legislative changes, we have every reason to anticipate the year ahead will be continue to see an increase in demand for our services. We are grateful to our funders and our community partners for ongoing support, collaboration and education around how to provide better services to our clients and look forward to continuing to serve our clients and our community in the year ahead. We are also ever grateful to our many volunteers ranging from our indefatigable Board of Directors and or valiant and flexible troupe of volunteers who offer services at the Court House, at the Detention Centre and at our residence and counselling offices in order to better support our clients. In addition, none of this would be possible without the dedication of our fabulous and very committed staff who go above and beyond each and every day in the service of our clients. Finally, we are grateful and want to offer a shout out to our clients, who every day teach us what the words resilience, optimism, courage and fortitude really mean. HELPING WOMEN PUT THE PIECES BACK TOGETHER 17 COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES 2012/2013 COMMUNITY COUNSELLING Funded by United Way/Centraide Ottawa and the City of Ottawa. Our Community Counselling Program provides assistance to women and young women in the form of counselling, support groups, legal and justice service information, advocacy, life skills, and referrals. There are three structured programs offered to women in conflict with the law: Anger Program (10 weeks), Theft Prevention Program (10 weeks), and Relapse Prevention Program (10 weeks). In addition, we provide oneon-one support as needed, including trauma and abuse counselling and relationship counselling. Referrals to our services are made by the criminal justice system, social workers, social assistance workers, lawyers, medical professionals, as well as self and community referrals. We continue to use an integrated case-management approach in all of our services. Our Public Education Program informs the community about unique gender-specific issues and realities regarding women’s criminal behavior and involvement with the criminal justice system. We promote this program through participation in community information events, college and university information seminars, and public speaking engagements, as requested. Between April 1, 2012 and March 31, 2013, 443 individuals participated in this program. This number breaks down as follows: 116 participated in Theft Prevention programming; 73 participated in Relapse Prevention programming; 195 participated in Anger programming; and 59 participated in Community Counselling, of whom 49 received relationship counselling. ABORIGINAL LIAISON/PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM Funded by the Law Foundation of Ontario. The Aboriginal Liaison/Peer Support Program completed on March 31, 2013 after two years of providing support to Aboriginal women. The Program offered individual and group peer support for Aboriginal women engaged with the criminal justice system. The Aboriginal Liaison provided significant practical support and advocacy to women around crisis and support resources. She further worked to educate women around their Gladue rights, and proactively provided the Gladue booklet to defence lawyers. The Aboriginal Liaison/Peer Support Program further consisted of two weekly support groups. One was an open group for all criminalized women, and the second was specifically for Aboriginal women involved in the criminal justice system. These groups were held in the community to help reduce barriers to accessing services. At the close of the program, the groups were located at Sandy Hill Community Centre and Shepherds of Good Hope. She also provided outreach services at the Courthouse office, and in-reach services at the Grand Valley Institution for Women. 18 ANNUAL REPORT 12–13 ELIZABETH FRY SOCIETY OF OTTAWA While program funding ended as scheduled in March of this year, the many participants expressed how much they appreciated and would miss the regular peer support that was provided. In preparation of the end of services, participants were offered services with alternate Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa programs and counsellors. Between April 1, 2012 and March 31, 2013, 121 individuals participated in this program. There were 53 Aboriginal and/or Inuit women who participated in the Aboriginal Peer Support Program. An additional 67 women were reached through in-reach efforts at the courthouse and/or federal and provincial institutions. SEX TRADE SUPPORT SERVICES—HOOKED UP AND GATEWAY Funded by United Way/Centraide Ottawa. Hooked Up is a support program delivered by the Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa that offers non-judgmental support to adult women and transgendered individuals who are, or who have been, involved in the sex trade. Hooked Up services include one-on-one counselling and support, weekly educational groups (Gateway), court support and advocacy, and life skills coaching. Gateway is a follow-up program to the Salvation Army’s three-day Sex-Trade Education Program (STEP) and is also open to women who have not participated in the STEP program. Gateway is both a community support group and court diversion option. The program is delivered in a safe, supportive environment, and includes light meals, guest speakers, and resource sharing. Participants have access to groceries, bus tickets and personal hygiene products. Group topics include street safety, healthy relationships, sexual health, addictions, self-esteem and self-care, anger, and communication. Between April 1, 2012 and March 31, 2013, 32 individuals participated in this program with a total of 145 visits. THE DIRECT ACCOUNTABILITY PROGRAM Funded by Ministry of the Attorney General, Province of Ontario Ottawa Provincial Courthouse and L’Orignal Courthouse. The Direct Accountability Program is an alternative to prosecution for individuals who have been charged with minor criminal offences. The program is offered at both the Ottawa Provincial Courthouse and the L’Orignal Courthouse serving clients in the Prescott-Russell area. Eligible adults, over the age of 18, are referred to the Community Justice Worker who completes an assessment and assigns community-based sanctions. These sanctions may include: attending a program or seminar, restitution, an apology letter, community service or charitable donation. Using community-based sanctions is an effective way of holding individuals accountable for minor offences. By successfully completing their sanction(s), individuals have their charge(s) withdrawn by the Court. Between April 1, 2012 and March 31, 2013, 882 individuals participated in this program. HELPING WOMEN PUT THE PIECES BACK TOGETHER 19 HOMELESSNESS PARTNERING STRATEGY—ONTARIO RURAL AND REMOTE COMMUNITIES INTIATIVE Funded by United Way of Greater Simcoe County. The Rural and Remote Homelessness Partnering Strategy program has been in operation since August of 2011 and was developed to assist women with housing issues who have their base in Leeds Grenville, Brockville, Renfrew County, Pembroke & Cornwall. Our mandate is to provide housing support to women who are homeless or at risk of being homeless in these areas. This includes women who are living on the streets, living in a shelter, at risk of being evicted, in process of being evicted, couch-surfing, or temporarily staying with family or friends but with no fixed address. Housing Outreach workers successfully supported 28 individuals throughout the past year. The program has provided assistance by sourcing suitable apartments, accompanying and providing transportation to view potential residences, providing advocacy in dealing with landlords/tribunals, and offering education on tenant rights and responsibilities. Alongside these tasks, rural Housing workers have provided emotional support to clients who often felt trapped in a difficult transitional period in their lives. In its second year, the HPS program continues to be extremely successful in providing housing support, as well as expanding the Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa’s outreach to criminalized women in rural areas. It continues to be successful in shedding light on the often overlooked social issue of rural homelessness. Many of our clients have expressed feeling marginalized and isolated from their communities before coming into contact with our staff members. Once clients have accessed housing assistance through HPS, they have been more inclined to access other Elizabeth Fry services and connect with our long term counselling services. Clients who have done this have expressed this as being very positive in their lives. COMMUNITY JUSTICE INITIATIVES PROGRAMS Funded by the Ministry of the Attorney General, Province of Ontario. In an effort to offer community-based programming to the participants in the Direct Accountability Program, the Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa received funding from the Ministry of the Attorney General to deliver the Community Justice Initiative Programs. Specifically, we offer diversion programming in the areas of Anger Management for Women, Alcohol and Drug Awareness for Women and Stop Shop Theft for Women and Men. Between April 1, 2012 and March 31, 2013, 293 individuals participated in these programs. The breakdown is as follows: 6 participated in the Anger Programming; 10 participated in Alcohol and Drug Awareness; 139 participated in Stop Shop Theft for Women and 138 in Stop Shop Theft for Men. Direct Accountability Program participants from the L’Orignal Courthouse are offered programming in the area of Stop Shop Theft for women and men referred to the program. The program is offered locally twice per month and delivered in both official languages. COURT RELEASE PROGRAM Service delivered by volunteers. The Court Release Program began in July 2009, operating out of the Ottawa Elizabeth Fry Society office located in the Ottawa Provincial Courthouse. This is a non-funded program, carried out by volunteers of the Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa, and is designed to help women and men upon their release from the Provincial Courthouse Cellblock. Every day, people are released from the Courthouse Cellblock without money, identification, wallet, keys, winter coats, or outdoor footwear. Many are in a state of shock 20 ANNUAL REPORT 12–13 ELIZABETH FRY SOCIETY OF OTTAWA and emotional crisis. The Court Release Program gives them the help they need, ranging from bus tickets and directions to the Ottawa Carleton Detention Centre (OCDC), so they can collect their belongings, use of the phone, a cup of coffee, toiletries and warm clothing. Volunteers also offer an empathic ear, crisis intervention and referrals to Elizabeth Fry Society programming, Salvation Army programming, John Howard Society programming and other community resources. When individuals are released unexpectedly, volunteers also help clients secure emergency shelter. Between April 1, 2012 and March 31, 2013, 536 individuals participated in this program. COURT SUPPORT PROGRAM Service delivered by volunteers. The Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa has continued to offer support to women in the criminal justice system through our Ottawa Courthouse office. Over the past year, visibility at the courthouse has increased based on the monthly statistics of clients, lawyers, social service providers and individuals seeking help. Volunteers have been consistently been present in first appearance court, bail court and sentencing court to provide support to women facing criminal charges. Clients have expressed appreciation for these services during a time of high stress, confusion and uncertainty. A hot cup of coffee, snacks, use of the phone, seasonal clothing, access to community resources, general court information and having someone to talk to have proven to be very popular services among clients with court matters. Volunteers have also provided court accompaniments to women who wish to have someone by their side when their case is being heard in court. This service has helped many women cope with the stress of court and has helped them navigate the intricacies of the criminal justice system. It has proven to be particularly useful for women charged for the first time, who were largely unfamiliar with court proceedings. Finally, volunteers have provided support to women temporarily detained in the Courthouse by visiting the cellblock at least once a day. Through cellblock visitations, clients have been able to speak with someone about their concerns, connect with other Elizabeth Fry services, access shelters and treatment centres, and connect with their lawyers as well as other community resources. In total, 1,633 clients received services from the Court Support Program between April 1, 2012 and March 31, 2013. COUNSELLING SUPPORT TO ADULT AND YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH COURT Adult Mental Health Court funded by United Way/Centraide Ottawa. Youth Mental Health Court funded by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services. Staff members participate in Adult and Youth Mental Health Court counsel pre-trials, whereby they advocate for clients, and provide resources to both crown and defense attorneys in order to assist clients. Referrals are made to Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa programs and services, as well as to external agencies. During pre-trial, staff members routinely assist in creating treatment and community reintegration plans for clients and they also participate in the court proceedings for Youth Mental Health Court. This includes court accompaniment, providing updates on client progress, advocacy, and promoting and facilitating access to our programs and services. Crisis intervention and practical assistance such as bus tickets and assistance with emergency housing, is also provided to clients at the courthouse following court appearances. Between April 1, 2012 and March 31, 2013, 46 individuals were referred to Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa programs through adult and youth mental health court and pre-trial, and many more were assisted in the courthouse by way of triage, case management, and advocacy. HELPING WOMEN PUT THE PIECES BACK TOGETHER 21 IN-REACH TO GVI, JOLIETTE Funded by Correctional Service Canada & the Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa. The In-Reach Program has now been running for 4 years. The Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa received funding from the Correctional Service of Canada to provide in-reach services to women in custody at Grand Valley Institution for Women and Joliette Institution for women, both of which are multi-level Federal prisons. The Manager and Assistant Manager of Residential Services provided services to the women at Grand Valley and Joliette. Services provided to the women include, but are not limited to; information regarding counselling services available in Ottawa and through the Society, housing support, J.F. Norwood House information and applications, and other information about the Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa and other community reintegration supports available in Ottawa. Funded by the Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa, the Manager of Residential Services also visits Vanier Institution on a regular basis. This institution is the Provincial women’s detention centre for Ontario. The In-Reach Program has continued to increase our visibility within the institutions and is creating more fluid relationships with institutional staff, as well as an increase in support and reintegration services to Ottawa area women. Between April 1, 2012 and March 31, 2013, 98 women participated in this program. HOUSING RETENTION AND EVICTION PREVENTION Funded by the City of Ottawa, under the Homelessness Partnership Initiative. Housing support and advocacy is offered by the Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa to assist clients who are homeless, couch surfing, inadequately housed, or who need to move due to unaffordable housing or for safety reasons. In-reach services are also provided to women at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre, Grand Valley Institution for Women, Vanier Institution for Women and Joliette Institution for Women in preparation for their release into the community. Some of the services offered include: providing information and resources to clients searching for affordable housing, assistance with landlord/ tenant disputes, support and advocacy, and assistance with housing retention. Between April 1, 2012 and March 31, 2013, 531 individuals and a further 416 households were supported by this program. 22 ANNUAL REPORT 12–13 ELIZABETH FRY SOCIETY OF OTTAWA YOUTH SERVICES Funded by the Ottawa Youth Diversion Program, the Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa, Boys and Girls Club, the Ministry of Children and Youth Services, General Mills Canada Corporation, The Community Foundation, the City of Ottawa and Telus. The Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa helps young women, between the ages of 12 and 18, reduce the risk of conflict with the law through programming that is holistic, gender specific and client-centered. Youth counsellors work with young women to develop individualized plans that target short and long term goals. Once referred, youth can access a wide array of services including individual counselling, anger management programs, the theft prevention programs (male and female), family counselling, community outreach programs, addiction and relapse prevention counselling, and groups designed to increase resiliency. A Youth Reintegration Worker offers support to young women who are reintegrating into the Ottawa community from correctional facilities, who are involved in Youth Mental Health Court, or who are otherwise involved in the Youth Justice System. One time funding through Telus allowed for the development and delivery of workshops focusing on the risk associated with sexting in schools across Ottawa. The workshops elaborated on the legal, social and emotional risks to sexting, and further explained how to limit victimization. The program was an overwhelming success with 28 presentations made at 11 schools to 985 students. Youth identified that as a result of the workshop, they were better able to make safer, informed personal decisions regarding sexting, and that they were also better equipped to deal with related peer pressure. One time funding from the General Mills Champions Grant Program provided the opportunity to further support children and youth of criminalized women by involving them in a 10 week education and support group. Mothers attended separate and complementary programming while their children attended an art/play therapy group. Children and youth were exposed to education about healthy foods and eating with Canada’s Food Guide; physical activity that was non-competitive, fun, and inclusive and art that provided them to share their feelings and personal experiences. A key component of the group was children sharing with other children their experiences of being in a family with a criminalized mother, the outcomes of which lessened isolation and helped to reduce shame. There were 48 parents, siblings and children (ages 5–14) who attended the program. The team collaboration with community professionals strongly contributed to the success of the project. The Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa contributed to improved community services for youth by participating in the Youth Mental Health Court, Youth Trends and Issues Committee, and the Ontario Youth Justice Services Network. Accessibility and continuity of service is emphasized with programs being delivered on-site at the Bronson Centre, Talitha House, Sundance Correctional Centre, and other community locations. Between April 1, 2012 and March 31, 2013, 192 parents and youth engaged in counselling Youth Services at the Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa. VOLUNTEER INITIATIVES PROGRAM (VIP) Funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation. There were 155 active volunteers who provided services to clients at the Ottawa Courthouse, the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre, J.F. Norwood House, in our housing support program as well as group co-facilitation. Some volunteers also assisted in the areas of research, administrative work and fundraising. This year, a key component of the volunteer program was to provide increased psychosocial training to volunteers working closely with our client base. New volunteers to the agency were given ten (10) hours of additional training, including non-judgmental active listening training and crisis intervention skills, helping interview techniques HELPING WOMEN PUT THE PIECES BACK TOGETHER 23 and training on the criminal justice system. A total of 110 volunteers participated in these trainings, which were deemed a success by the individuals who attended. Volunteers reported that this hands-on training greatly contributed to their learning experience, their skill set, their confidence and their ability to address clients’ needs effectively. The Volunteer Program is continually striving to improve its programming to ensure a win-win partnership between the Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa, its clients and the volunteers. As more experienced volunteers are leaving to pursue their careers, new volunteers are recruited to fill the gap, as well as to provide assistance to the ever growing need of the community. COMMUNITY LIAISON SERVICES AT THE OTTAWA-CARLETON DETENTION CENTRE Funded by Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services. The Community Liaison Worker offers advocacy, support, crises counselling, and housing support to women incarcerated at the Ottawa Carleton Detention Centre (O.C.D.C.). Clients can meet one-on-one with a worker while they are on remand, to create a release plan that addresses their individual needs, while liaising with appropriate community supports to facilitate successful community re-integration. The agency’s Addictions/Relapse Prevention Counsellor also attends O.C.D.C. weekly to provide substance use assessment for clients wishing to attend a residential treatment program. The Counsellor then refers the client to appropriate treatment facilities throughout Ontario and Quebec. The Counsellor also offers a weekly Relapse Prevention group. Funded solely by donations to the Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa, our agency is able to provide some women with the funds necessary to complete high school credits while they are incarcerated at the detention centre, as well as provide them with reading glasses. The Community Liaison Worker also assists in release planning by accompanying some out-of-town women to the bus station and others to court appearances, community appointments, J.F. Norwood House and other agencies in Ottawa and the surrounding areas. Between April 1, 2012 and March 31, 2013, 315 individuals participated in this program. J.F. NORWOOD HOUSE Funded by Correctional Service Canada, Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, Ottawa Hospital—Mobile Crisis Team, and Rideauwood Addiction and Family Services— Adult Drug Treatment Court Program. J.F. Norwood House is a transitional housing program offering a supportive living environment for women. The purpose of the program is to help facilitate successful reintegration into the community by offering a safe and encouraging environment where women can focus on education and employment, and have access to other Elizabeth Fry services and wider community supports. Our beds are available to women who have been released from an institution on parole or probation, clients of Drug Treatment Court, a program offered by Rideauwood Addiction and Family Services, and clients from the Ottawa Hospital, who are referred by the Mobile Crisis Team. The Mobile Crisis Team beds discontinued in the first quarter of 2012. 24 ANNUAL REPORT 12–13 ELIZABETH FRY SOCIETY OF OTTAWA As the J.F. Norwood House is staffed 24-hours per day, women can access well-trained and caring staff members for support at any time. Providing resources, acting as advocates and helping women through their challenges, while simultaneously empowering clients to achieve their goals, are all part of the role of staff. The In-Reach program is now in its second year. The Manager and Assistant Manager of Residential Services regularly visits Grand Valley Institution for Women and Vanier Centre for Women as well as Joliette Institution for Women. We are continuing to see an increase in women applying for residency at J.F. Norwood House, as well as an increase of women following up with community programs once released from custody. By being able to meet with women in custody, we are able to develop relationships prior to their release and have the opportunity to get to know each woman personally. Clients have reported that, by being able to develop a relationship with Elizabeth Fry/J.F. Norwood House staff prior to their release, they feel that the reintegration process is less stressful, as they have community support. Women have also reported that they feel a lot more comfortable going from an institutional setting into the transitional home setting, as they are able to ask questions and discuss their residency with the staff during the institutional visits. J.F. Norwood House’s waiting list continues to grow by the day. On any given day, the waiting list can range from 40–60 women. We are the only women’s Community Residential Facility between Montreal and Kingston. We will continue to work toward the goal of having a larger residence in the future, where we can provide more services to women at risk. Our thanks go out to the Food Bank for its immense assistance to the J.F. Norwood House with their weekly provision of food, which is divided equally among the women. J.F. Norwood House would not be as successful without the help of our amazing staff, volunteers, students and our funders. Between April 1, 2012 and March 31, 2013, 64 individuals participated in this program. HELPING WOMEN PUT THE PIECES BACK TOGETHER 25
