IT TAKES COURAGE TO HAVE HOPE.

14–15
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 classification
…one step at a time.
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 supportive 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
> Outreach support, group programs and counselling/harm
reduction for sex workers
> The diversionary-based Direct Accountability Program for eligible
adults charged with minor offences in Ottawa and L’Orignal
> Programs and services for at-risk young women
and their families
> Individual and group counselling
> Youth Diversion programming
> Crisis intervention
> Financial Literacy supports
> Mental health supports and trauma counselling
> Public education and research
> Case Management and client advocacy
> Advocacy initiatives with provincial and national
Elizabeth Fry Societies
> Anger programming for women and youth
> Theft prevention programming for women, men and youth
> Addiction and relapse prevention programming
> Housing search, stabilization and eviction prevention
in Ottawa and surrounding municipalities
> Community reintegration planning and programs
at the Ottawa Carleton Detention Centre
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> Prison in-reach and support services to provincially
and federally incarcerated women
ANNUAL REPORT 14–15 ELIZABETH FRY SOCIETY OF OTTAWA
> Volunteer-based programs, including court support
and prison visitation
> Family reintegration support
> Aboriginal specific support services
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STAFF
EXECUTIVE
Maryse Lepage
Tracy Engelking
Guy Bahati
Julie Daoust
STAFF OF THE ELIZABETH FRY SOCIETY OF OTTAWA 2014–2015
President
Vice President
Treasurer
Secretary
DIRECTORS
Diana Majury
CAEFS/CEFSO
Liaison
Cat Baron
Angela Peterson
Yolande Modeira (on leave)
Takayi Chibanda
Michael-Ann Lake
Sofi El-Halawani *
Rachel Albert
*Resigned during 2014–2015
**Contracts ended 2014–2015
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
Baxter, Bryonie
Bissonnette, April
Brenton, Jody
Buda, Giovanna
Carscadden, Bob
Chiru, Maria
Collins, Sophie
Delic, Svjetlana
Graveline, Kim
Haney, Logan
Hasbani, Tania
Jelly, Carmen
Keilty, Emily
Knight, Erin
LeBlanc, Nicole
Linteris, Melissa
Marion, Marie-Josée
Martinez, Yoshie
Peters, Laura
Stewart, Wendy
Thompson, Mackenzie
Torley, Sharon
Totten, Kaila
Zaman, Reaz
Executive Director
Assistant Manager Residential Services
Executive Assistant
Addictions/Relapse Prevention Counsellor
Accountant *
Manager Youth and Adult Services
Youth Counsellor *
Community Counsellor
Adult Diversion Facilitator
Violence Against Women Support Worker **
Community Justice Worker
Manager Residential Services/Manager Youth and Adult Services *
Housing Support Worker
Financial Literacy Outreach Worker **
Volunteer Coordinator *
Manager of Adult and Youth Services *
Volunteer Coordinator
Community Counsellor
Youth Reintegration Worker
Director of Operations
Youth Reintegration Counsellor *
Accountant
Community Liason Worker
Office Administrator
Minister of Community Safety and
Correctional Services, MPP Yasir Naqvi
presenting “Kindness Week” donations
of toiletries for JF Norwood House to
Executive Director Bryonie Baxter.
HELPING WOMEN PUT THE PIECES BACK TOGETHER
3
J.F. Norwood House
Ashford, Sarah
Brooks, Ryleigh
Erturk, Sibel
Joseph, Raechelle
Kirkley, Jessica
LaSalle, Elyse
Lavigne, Debra
McSween, Vanessa
MgBoron, Martine
Oneid, Jessika
Ortiz, Melissa
Parker, Elizabeth
Peterkin, Leanne
Robinson, Amber
Ssozi, Catherine
Stanford, Laura Michelle
Teoli, Stephanie
Trudel, Jacqueline
Webster, Janet
Welch, Elisha
Wells, Krista
* Left During 2014/2015
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ANNUAL REPORT 14–15 ELIZABETH FRY SOCIETY OF OTTAWA
Relief
Relief
Part-Time *
Relief *
Relief *
Relief
Relief (On Leave)
Relief *
Relief *
Part-time
Part-time
Relief
Full-time
Relief
Part-time
Relief *
Full-Time
Relief
Part-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
Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa
City of Ottawa
Correctional Services Canada
Greenshield Canada
MetLife Alumni Association
Ministry of the Attorney General
Ministry of Children and Youth Services
Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services
Ottawa Food Bank
Service Canada (CSJ)
Social and Enterprise Development Innovations – Financial Literacy
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 Marilyn Letts, Andrew Saikali,
The Burton Charitable Foundation, Elaine and Hendrik Mollema, Keith Shea and the
Anonymous Donor who gifted $10,000.00 to a Matched Gifting Program!
HELPING WOMEN PUT THE PIECES BACK TOGETHER
5
WE ACKNOWLEDGE AND GIVE WARM THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING VOLUNTEERS
WHO VOLUNTEERED IN THE 2014–2015 YEAR.
6
Aby Diagne
Emily Tibbits-Lamirande
Kyla Marcoux
Rebecca Langille-Rowe
Ahmed Karhani
Emma Morris
Kyle T. Medveduke
Rebekah Underhill
Alexandra Gaysek
Lauren McMurtry
Rochelle Lobo
Alexanne Dupuis
Erendica CervantesAltamirano
Leah Weiler
Rosalie Hiscock
Alisia Toniello
Erica Reid
Lisa Kelly
Ruth Kadolph
Allyson Slate
Erin Walkinshaw
Lisa Strueby
Sadia Hassan
Amber Chouinard
Fadumo Mohamed
Lise-Anne Bielak
Sahar Ayub
Amber Robinson
Feven Tefferi
Maha Mashhadi
Samantha McIntosh
Amélie Doyon
Florence Bebela
Maneesh Oberoi
Samantha Styczynski
Anna Nearing
Gayane Panosian
Margaret Farr
Samah Saci
Aneeta Kang
Gloria Carnevale
Maria Homayun
Sana Mohamad
Arjin Choi
Hayley Gamson-Como
Marie-Christine Mackenzie
Sarah Fiander
Brittany Makort
Hanan El-Badry
Marissa Bojanowski
Sarah Hogan
Brittany Smyth
Heather Hobbs
Megan Gervais
Sarah Logan
Brittany Swain
Heidi Thayer
Megan Grossett
Sarah Robus
Caitlin Warden
Helena Bandayrel
Megan Witkowski
Sarah Zak
Carley Trottier
Hilary McIntosh
Meghan Boulanger
Shandeigh Whamond
Carissa Oddy-Kubota
Ingrid Bachner
Melissa Commandant
Sharon Lypfert-Altamirano
Catherine Albert
Irina Romanenko
Melissa Fawcett
Sophie Cousineau
Catherine Ann Kennedy
Janine Kiefer
Michael Roy
Stephanie Fischer
Catherine Tombwekayombe
Jasmine Tsang
Mirna El-Rami
Stephanie Fortunato
Chandler Thomas
Jeanelle Sansterre
Nadine Johnson
Stéphanie Gauvin
Chantal Carrey
Jenna Boje
Natalie Hiller
Stéphanie Moore
Chelsea Ross
Jennifer Clubine
Natasha Lagarde
Stephanie Teodoridis
Christabel Martey
Julie Mongeon
Natascha Ramos
Sydney Lloyd
Christie Holden
Julie Nguyen
Natasha Lorincz
Sylvia Smith
Claudette Kohut
Karen Forhan
Nicola Kardol
Sylvie Okros
Courtney Ostapiuk
Kathryn Bliss
Nicole Lewis
Taly-Dawn Salyn
Cynthia Watson
Kathryn McKinley
Nikki Stoddart
Tamara Naboulsi
Danielle Lépine
Kathryn Pereira
Nina Paciocco
Taylor MacLeod
Danika Martin
Kelsey Mortimore
Norah Rankin
Tiana Iacoboni
Daphne Broniek
Kimberly Husbands
Olivia Reid
Tracy Dow
Deanna Paolucci
Kira Smith
Oliwia Wisniewska
Urge Ibrahim
Eileen McEwen
Kristen Knapp
Pamela Secci
Urszula Karwowska
Elise Merril
Kristina Pille
Patrice Clarke
Victorica Shafiepour
Emily Asmar
Kristine Wood
Pei-Ju Wang
Emily MacDonald
Kyla Douthwaite
Pier Angelli De Luca Maciel
ANNUAL REPORT 14–15 ELIZABETH FRY SOCIETY OF OTTAWA
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
This year the uneasy dance between limited resources and increasing needs continues
to take centre stage. These are times to gain clarity on where things stand without
losing courage. These are also times calling for us to do “differently“as I mentioned
in my 2014 report. As I look back on the past year, I am proud to be part of an
organization that is so strongly client-focused while striving for social impact
and intelligent action. Under the leadership of our Executive Director, Bryonie
Baxter, EFSO management and staff continue to consistently rise to the tough
challenges brought to them on a daily basis. With steady determination, a voice
for social justice is being heard, significant operational efficiencies and service
improvements are implemented, new sources of funding explored and partnerships
strengthened within the community.
This year the Board paid attention to important internal and external signals and
decided to conduct two strategic inquiries: one about the workplace context and
one about our positioning within changing realities.
MARYSE
1. Knowing how crucial it is for people to be able and willing to fully contribute
under current resource constraints, we turned our attention to the topic of
employee engagement. Using the input of staff and management, the Board
assessed the current climate and explored barriers to high engagement. Kudos
goes to the staff for their frank discussions on issues that matter most to them
while keeping clients’ wellbeing top of mind.
Gathering many solid ideas and proposals, the Board set priorities aimed to
shift the work climate to one that focuses intentionally on building strong
engagement. I want to mention how promptly Bryonie Baxter and Wendy
Stewart, our Director of Operations, started addressing priorities and made
important changes right out of the gate. The focus on raising the bar continues
into next year. Touch points with management and staff will be occasions to
assess progress. Tracking and reporting will continue to be part of my mandate
in 2016.
HELPING WOMEN PUT THE PIECES BACK TOGETHER
7
2. Considering the ever changing financial, social and political realities, we decided to take a good look at EFSO’s strategic
direction. We embarked on a strategic review in the spring with the intention of setting the way forward in best serving our
clients while ensuring sustainability.
This exercise provides a great example of a collaborative process. Past President of the Board, Cat Baron, facilitated a lively
strategic discussion with the staff to gather people’s input. Our Director took part in Board working sessions thus completing
the picture from a management‘s perspective. A morning with Kim Pate, Executive Director for CAEFS, provided the Board
with insights into the role of Elizabeth Fry Societies in the current sociological and political contexts.
We covered a lot of ground in June as we considered important elements of our strategy and considered several perspectives.
While no major change was envisioned, this process served to crystallize our vision, mission and values. As of the date of
this report, the Board still has to fine tune the vision and mission statements. Most importantly we need to set a strategic
direction and priorities for financial sustainability. This final exercise will be completed by end of year.
These initiatives and others made us consider different priorities and streamlined action plans, shaping the way forward as we
now welcome several new Board members and we say goodbye to others. Changes are coming to the Board Executive Committee
with a new breath of talent and expertize coming to the table. This coming year also marks the 65th year of Elizabeth Fry Society
of Ottawa as an agency. Stay tuned as the Board announces plans for the 2016 celebration.
I cannot put too much emphasis on the hard work and positive outlook demonstrated by my colleagues of the Board in driving
several crucial initiatives while insuring strong governance. It is a pleasure and an honor to find myself on this team of exceptional
individuals. I remain deeply inspired by the tireless and enduring commitment of Bryonie Baxter, our Executive Director, by the
strong leadership of the management team, and by the staff’s passion for making a difference. I am profoundly grateful to people
who continue to support our agency—including the dedicated volunteers who contribute countless hours; and the funders and
donors who enable us to do this work. As I step down from my role as President, I know that a sustainable and visionary future is
possible for EFSO—to the benefit of our clients and of our community.
Maryse Lepage
President of the Board of Directors
Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa
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ANNUAL REPORT 14–15 ELIZABETH FRY SOCIETY OF OTTAWA
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
© Christine Aubrey
The Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa continues to offer full wrap-around service for
criminalized and at-risk women from the time of First Appearance Court to as many
years post-incarceration as the client deems necessary. We are justifiably proud
of our record of service to clients in the Greater Ottawa area for 64 years and our
years of advocacy to improve prison conditions and reduce recidivism by addressing
the root causes of criminality for our clients. In the past year we have worked hard
to continue to improve our services by moving to a better coordinated Plan of Care
for each client with a Case Manager involved to make sure none of the client’s
needs falls through the cracks and is missed. The result is that while a client may
be involved in several services with our agency (for example, housing help, anger
management and trauma counselling all at the same time) staff involved offer a
coordinated response that fully address all of the client’s needs.
We are lucky to have a dedicated and efficient Coordinator of Volunteers who,
together with some of our over 200 volunteers, goes down to cell block at the
Ottawa court house every morning to ensure that clients are aware of the services
we offer post-release or during their court matter. We also coordinate the court
diversion program (part of the Ministry of the Attorney General Justice on Target
program) through our Community Justice Worker, Tania Hasbani. In 2016 Tania
will be celebrating 20 years of dedicated and very professional service to this
agency in a variety of capacities and it is she who carries the greatest “corporate memory” of our agency. We are so lucky to have
you Tania! Those clients who are unexpectedly released following a period of custody can come to our court house office for bus
tickets, assistance getting belongings back from the detention centre or police, assistance obtaining medications and their health
card, distribution of shoelaces, clothing items, snacks, help understanding release conditions and help contacting supports.
BRYONIE
This year, we advocated with the Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services and thanks to the support of
Minister Naqvi were able to find a solution to the issue of those released from Court who are returning to communities far from
the Detention Centre—including Pembroke, Cornwall and Brockville. For these people, getting back their belongings from the
Detention Centre is very difficult since there is no transportation available. Especially problematic is the fact that when they are
released from Court, they are released without medications and their health card. We worked with the Provincial Minister and
the Superintendent of the Ottawa Carleton Detention Centre (OCDC) on this issue and a local solution known as the “Red Bag
Program” was subsequently reinstated to ensure immediate needs such as a few days’ worth of medications, health card, other
identification and keys to their accommodations are transported with them by OPP to court so they are available should the person
be released.
JF Norwood House, our transition house for women released from Federal Prison, Provincial Jail or who are homeless and criminalized
or at risk in the community, has been chock-a-block full in recent months, despite waxing enrolment in the previous year due to
fewer parole releases. We have a residence of 15 beds. This year, beds are in high demand and we are back to having a wait list
for services. All women who live in the residence are also assigned a personal support worker to help with personal reintegration
plans. We have volunteers who offer recreational programming and, in partnership with the local YWCA, women are given a Y membership
for only $20 a month if they so choose. Women living in the residence also have access to our full range of counselling services and case
management from our Community Counsellors. This year we are having new windows installed in JF Norwood House with the support of
the Brighter Tomorrow’s Fund of the United Way with a grant from Hydro Ottawa. These new energy efficient windows not only help
us do our part in reducing our energy usage, but also will help to let the sun shine in a little brighter for women who are working
hard to turn their lives around.
HELPING WOMEN PUT THE PIECES BACK TOGETHER
9
On the counselling side, we offer a full range of counselling services to women including Anger Management, Addiction and
Relapse Prevention counselling, Theft and Fraud Prevention, Trauma and Abuse counselling, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT),
Relationship and Family Reintegration counselling, Gateway—our counselling and peer support service for women involved in sex
work—and also general counselling. We have moved this year to a Case Management approach to ensure that staff work with
clients to develop a Plan of Care. Clients identify goals in all aspects of her life and works with a Case Manager to ensure that
there is accountability for helping her progress in her identified goals. This has helped us ensure all aspects of a woman’s life are
considered and we help her with all identified needs. We are grateful for renewed funding for the Walk a Mile in Our Moccasins
Program from the Anglican Healing Fund. This program, run for and by Indigenous women and designed for inter-generational
survivors of Residential School who have been criminalized, helps us offer targeted specialized service to clients who are
Indigenous who make up 14% of our overall caseload, reflecting the over-representation of Aboriginal women who are criminalized.
We are also pleased to announce the return of our Court Support program for women who are criminalized as a result of their
victimization in domestic violence situations. This has been re-funded by the Canadian Women’s Foundation for another year. We
are working in collaboration with researchers from Carleton University to better understand how women who are domestic abuse
victims become criminalized and to better understand how the police and child welfare authorities can modify interventions to
more comprehensively understand the realities these women face and respond appropriately.
We offer homelessness services, both in Ottawa and in the surrounding rural areas extending as far as Pembroke, Cornwall,
Brockville, L’Orignal and Lanark County. This includes housing search and stabilization and housing loss prevention for rural
women, who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and have limited access to food bank. Limited financial assistance in the
form of food gift cards to local grocery stores, can be provided, thanks to funding from the Homelessness Prevention Initiative
through the United Way of Simcoe County. We also help clients’ access furnishings and basic household necessities once they
have secured a place to live. This year we are also offering Housing Needs assessments (known as SPDAT) funded through the
City of Ottawa while the client is incarcerated with the goal of ensuring that prior to release, a housing plan is established that
fast tracks those with highest acuity needs for affordable housing and paints an accurate picture of the scope of that need for
the City. These housing acuity needs assessments are also offered by us at the Ottawa Court House to help speed up access
to housing for those not on remand but who are at-risk of criminalization. This is part of the City’s goal of intake to permanent
housing within 90 days.
As well, we offer an extensive range of youth services, including youth diversion counselling (anger management, theft prevention),
youth self-esteem and healthy living workshops, youth addictions counselling, youth reintegration services (including attendance
at open and closed custody facilities and at youth mental health court), services for female youth at risk of sexual exploitation and
youth homelessness assistance. We are very grateful for the continued support of the Boys’ and Girls’ Club of Ottawa, the Children’s
Aid Society of Ottawa and the Ministry of Children and Youth Services for funding to continue our services to at-risk youth.
We have a worker permanently situated in the Ottawa Carleton Detention Centre offering Community Liaison support to all clients
on remand. Her job is to make connections to the community for clients on remand and work with the OCDC Discharge Planner
to ensure clients have supports in place upon release. As a community it benefits all of us to increase the degree of support
available upon release to reduce recidivism and promote desistance, but this continues to be hampered by a lack of affordable
housing, wait lists for residential addictions services and mental health supports, and reductions to social services funding.
Our certified Addictions worker goes into the jail weekly to offer addictions support and addictions assessments to help women
secure spots at treatment facilities in as speedy a manner as is possible under the current circumstances. Our adult reintegration
services also include monthly inreach at Grand Valley Institute (federal) in Kitchener, inreach at Joliette (federal) in Montreal every
two months, monthly inreach at Vanier (provincial jail) and pre-trial attendance at Adult Mental Health Court in order to offer
custody alternatives to the crown for those with mental illness. Our Youth in-reach/reintegration services include monthly inreach
at Sundance (closed custody facility for youth in Kingston), weekly inreach at Talitha House (open custody facility for girls) and
attendance monthly at Youth Mental Health Court in Ottawa to offer alternatives to incarceration. Inreach services are a vital
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ANNUAL REPORT 14–15 ELIZABETH FRY SOCIETY OF OTTAWA
part of the supports we offer. We know from research and from our own experience that women are
highly relational and that their success post incarceration pivots on the development of a solid trust
relationship with their support services. We begin to develop the trust relationship while they are still in
jail and that carries the momentum forward to continue upon release.
This extensive list of services is offered with a staff of 32 full/part time/relief staff and a whopping
200 volunteers. We are also extremely proud of our Board of 13 very active and supportive Directors
who help us make the agency recognized experts in the field of criminalized and at-risk women in the
Champlain District. We have now been serving the Ottawa community in this capacity for 64 years!
Last year, we served a total of 10,283 clients in all of our programs and services. This is a significant
increase in client numbers from the previous year.
Finally, in the 2014–2015 fiscal year, we were contacted by the media on 17 different occasions and had
extensive media coverage in both television, radio and print media on a variety of stories, including the
following topics:
> Use of Seroquel in jails
> Issues of incarceration for transgendered prisoners and the changes to
the Transgender policy of the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services
> A story involving a Senator and a previous Elizabeth Fry client
> Women’s recidivism and barriers to program completion while incarcerated
> The over-representation of indigenous women in prisons
> Youth sentenced as adults
> Changes to parole eligibility for people serving a life sentence
> Leadership of and for women’s organization
I am so lucky to continue to lead such an extraordinary organization with the support of such a great
team and it is both an honour and a privilege to be able to walk alongside our clients as they make
positive changes to their lives…one step at a time!
HELPING WOMEN PUT THE PIECES BACK TOGETHER
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COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
AND SERVICES 2014/2015
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/Fraud Prevention
Program (10 weeks), and Relapse Prevention Program (10 weeks). In addition, we
provide one-on-one support as needed, including trauma and abuse counselling,
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and relationship/family reintegration 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.
Between April 1, 2014 and March 31, 2015, 366 individuals participated in this
program. This number breaks down as follows: 64 participated in Theft/Fraud
Prevention programming; 66 participated in Relapse Prevention programming;
158 participated in Anger programming; and 78 participated in Community
Counselling/Trauma Counselling.
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-onone counselling and support, weekly educational groups (Gateway), court support and
advocacy, and life skills coaching.
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, 2014 and March 31, 2015, 16 individuals participated in this
program with a total of 72 visits.
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ANNUAL REPORT 14–15 ELIZABETH FRY SOCIETY OF OTTAWA
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, 2013 and March 31, 2014, 1125 individuals participated in this program. 1002 individuals accessed services via
the Ottawa courthouse of which 821 were new clients this fiscal year. 51 clients accessed services through the O’rignal courthouse.
HOMELESSNESS PARTNERING STRATEGY –
ONTARIO RURAL AND REMOTE COMMUNITIES INTIATIVE
Funded by the Government of Canada’s Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) Rural and
Remote Communities Initiative through the 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, and 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.
Our Housing Outreach workers successfully supported 38 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 third 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 at risk 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.
HELPING WOMEN PUT THE PIECES BACK TOGETHER
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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, 2013 and March 31, 2014, 246 individuals participated in these
programs. The breakdown is as follows: 19 participated in the Anger Programming;
26 participated in Alcohol and Drug Awareness; 172 participated in Stop Shop Theft
for Women and 29 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.
In the 2013–2014 fiscal year 38 people participated in the Direct Accountability
Program in L’Orignal.
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 service is supervised
by the Coordinator of Volunteers, 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 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, 2014 and March 31, 2015, 720 individuals participated in this
program which saw 542 men and 178 women seeking support.
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ANNUAL REPORT 14–15 ELIZABETH FRY SOCIETY OF OTTAWA
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 accompaniment 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, 3,540 clients received services from the Court Support Program between April 1, 2013 and March 31, 2014 of which
1,778 were men and 1,762 were women.
COUNSELLING SUPPORT TO ADULT AND YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH COURT
Adult Mental Health Court as well as Mental Health and Addiction Outreach Support at the
Ottawa Courthouse. Funded by United Way/Centraide Ottawa and Green Shield Canada 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, 2014 and March 31, 2015, 15 individuals were referred to Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa programs through adult
and youth mental health court and pre-trial. Through mental health outreach 236 men were supported and 311 women for a total
of 547 interactions. Addiction outreach saw another 494 clients with a breakdown of 190 men and 304 women. Many more were
assisted in the courthouse by way of triage, case management, outreach and advocacy.
HELPING WOMEN PUT THE PIECES BACK TOGETHER
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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 six 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 and/or Assistant 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, 2014 and March 31, 2015, 96 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, 2014 and March 31, 2015, 406 individuals/households were supported by this program.
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 and the City of Ottawa.
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.
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ANNUAL REPORT 14–15 ELIZABETH FRY SOCIETY OF OTTAWA
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, the Ontario Youth Justice Services Network, and the Leeds Grenville
Community Justice Partners’ 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, 2014 and March 31, 2015, 202 parents and youth engaged in
counselling Youth Services at the Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa with 60 of those
parents and youth supported through funding provided by the Boys and Girls Club
of Ottawa and a further 25 were supported through MCYS.
VOLUNTEER INITIATIVES PROGRAM (VIP)
Funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
There were 145 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
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.
Between April 1, 2014 and March 31, 2015 the volunteers assisted women at
JFN House with accompaniment on 53 occasions as well as provided social
programming at OCDC, mental health and addiction outreach, unexpected
release and court support for a total of 5,756 interactions.
HELPING WOMEN PUT THE PIECES BACK TOGETHER
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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, 2014 and March 31, 2015, 389 individuals participated in this program.
SEDI FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAM
Funded by TD Financial Literacy Grant Fund.
The Financial Literacy Program provides individual counselling and financial literacy workshops on topics such as budgeting on a
limited income, understanding bank accounts and bank fees, loans and how to use them including the concerns with payday loans,
how to file income tax returns, planning for the future, debt reduction, and referrals to programs offering financial assistance.
The Financial Literacy Program ended January 29, 2014 and was a one year program.
Between April 1, 2014 and January 29, 2015 111 clients were served with a total of
123 clients supported over the year.
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN SUPPORT PROGRAM
Funded by Canadian Women’s Foundation.
The Violence Against Women Support Program was a one year, pilot project funded
by Canadian Women’s Foundation. The project provides outreach, advocacy, court
support, group counselling, and individual support counselling for women who
have experienced domestic violence and who have been criminalized as a result.
This includes women who have been counter charged as a result of domestic
violence. The Violence Against Women Support Program further provides assistance
reconnecting to cultural supports and advocacy for First Nations, Inuit and Metis
women who have experienced domestic violence.
The program was offered from September 1, 2014 to August 31, 2015.
From April 1 2014 to March 31, 2015, 21 clients were served with a
total 68 clients supported during the year of the program.
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ANNUAL REPORT 14–15 ELIZABETH FRY SOCIETY OF OTTAWA
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.
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 sixth year. The Assistant Manager of
Residential Services regularly visits Grand Valley Institution for Women and
Vanier Centre for Women. The Assistant Manager of Residential Services
also regularly visits Joliette Institution for Women and the Ottawa Carleton
Detention Centre. 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 the 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. The 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.
HELPING WOMEN PUT THE PIECES BACK TOGETHER
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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. During April 2014 and March 31 2015 83 clients accessed our foodbank
with 510 client interactions.
J.F. Norwood House would not be as successful without the help of our amazing
staff, volunteers, students and our funders.
Between April 1, 2014 and March 31, 2015, 68 individuals participated in
this program with a breakdown of 18 Federal women, 26 Provincial women
and 24 community clients.
WALK A MILE IN OUR MOCCASINS
Funded by the Anglican Healing Fund—
Anglican Church of Canada.
The Walk a Mile in our Moccasins is a healing circle for Criminalized, at risk,
Aboriginal women who are intergenerational survivors of the Residential School
System. Designed and led by Aboriginal women contracted to our agency, the
program offers Healing Circles based on four quadrants—Social/physical/
emotional/spiritual from a culturally sensitive perspective.
Between April 1, 2014 and September 30, 2014—20 women participated with
a total of 286 client interactions. The year long program served 128 until it’s
completion on September 30, 2014.
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ANNUAL REPORT 14–15 ELIZABETH FRY SOCIETY OF OTTAWA