1. Who was Elizabeth Fry?
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 Elizabeth Fry was a well-to-do Quaker woman who lived between 1780 and 1845 in England.
She became famous for her work in Newgate Prison where she initiated education for women and children who were 'housed' together.
She also provided clothing and sewing materials for the inmates as these items were not provided by the jail.
She established rules in the jail: no drinking, neat and clean dress, as well as ensuring that scriptures were read twice a day.
She impressed the authorities with her ability to bring some order to the chaos and they began to seek her advice.
In 1817, she formed the Association for the Improvement of the Female Prisoners in Newgate Prison, recommending the entire separation of genders, classification of offenders, female supervision of women, and useful employment.
Elizabeth Fry is seen as being responsible for prison reforms throughout England and Europe.
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2. What does the Elizabeth Fry Society Do?
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The Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver was established in 1939. It has a history of working with women and youth by providing communal and institutional based programs which address their social, emotional and rehabilitation needs. The Programs the Society provides are based upon intervention and prevention to address and reduce factors which place clients at risk in the community and of involvement in the Criminal Justice System.
The Society seeks to provide clients with resources and skills to enable healthy development and functioning. It serves the Lower Mainland area, from Whistler in the North to White Rock in the South and East to Abbotsford.
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3. Do you have any current job openings?
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| Please check our Employment Opportunities section.
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4. I need legal help but cannot afford a lawyer. Where can I get free legal help or advice?
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You can check with Legal Services Society, Phone: (604) 408-2172 (Lower Mainland), 1-866-577-2525 (toll free, outside the Lower Mainland). They provide legal services to B.C. residents who are living in poverty.
Law librarians provide general legal information, and referral services, by telephone.
**Please note librarians are not allowed to interpret the laws and accompany the clients to court.
The UBC Law Students Legal Advice Program [Phone: 822-5791] gives free legal advice. Phone them for information on the times and locations of the law clinics, full-time help during the summer and at night during the school year, in the Greater Vancouver Regional District. Office hours are 8:30 am - 4 pm, Monday - Friday.
You might also want to consider the Lawyer Referral Service at (604) 687-3221 inside the Lower Mainland, or 1-800-663-1919 outside the Lower Mainland. They have reduced rates for the first half-hour of consultation, to help people decide if they need to hire a lawyer. After that , standard rates apply.
For further information, visit the Law Link www.lawlink.bc.ca and the Red Book (which is an online directory of services for the Lower Mainland.) |
5. I am interested in volunteering. How can I be a volunteer with The Elizabeth Fry Society? What will be my role or duty as a volunteer?
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The Volunteer Coordinator at Elizabeth Fry is Donna Surman, She can be reached at (604) 520-1166, Extension 218 or e-mail at donna.surman@elizabethfry.com.
Volunteers contribute to the following programs:
Columbia Place
Drop-in Center
Liz Carmichael House
Sheena's Place
Volunteers must adhere to guidelines for behaviour, and keep the time commitment they made to the program. They must also sign a confidentiality covenant. To find out more, please see:
EFry Volunteer Section
Volunteer Vancouver
Volunteer BC |
6. I have been charged with shoplifting. What should I do now?
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Call the Elizabeth Fry Society in Vancouver at 604-520-1166(in Lower Mainland) or 1-888-879-9593. Our counsellor can meet with you in a confidential session to assess what is best for you. Individual sessions, group therapy or workshops are recommended as per needs. Counsellor also provides written reports for courts.
Other services offered are volunteer support, information seminars, and referral services. Some of the services are free, while some have a fee on a sliding scale.
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7. What is 'Diversion'? How can I apply for Diversion?
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Diversion, or Alternative Measures, is a pre-trial procedure involving the exercise of discretion by Crown Counsel not to prosecute an offender. Instead, counsel refers the offender to an individual agency with the intention of reaching an agreement to deal with the offence outside the judicial process.
The objective of the Alternative Measures is to have offender accept the responsibility for the offence without going to trial. Diversion is not intended to be available for every offender and every offence. Generally speaking, it is most suitable for younger offenders and those of previously good character, who have committed minor offences. They give up their right to a trial.
To apply for Diversion, you must ask Crown Counsel to consider you. If the Crown Counsel agrees, (s)he refers you to the Adult Alternative Measures Program, or to the probation office, if you are a youth. Someone there interviews you, and makes a recommendation to Crown Counsel as to whether or not you should go into diversion. If you are accepted into diversion, you have a range of options such as:
You are given a written or verbal warning
You make a written or verbal apology to the victim
You do Community Service
You take part in a counselling program such as the Shoplifters Counselling Program or an Alcoholics Anonymous group.
You take part in the Victim Offender Reconciliation Program (VORP)
As well, you could have a combination of these options, such as making an apology to the victim and also taking part in a counselling program.
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8. Who are Elizabeth Fry's clients? How do your Programs help them?
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| Our clients are individuals or families who have been in contact with the law or are in danger of coming in contact. The Society's main client groups are women and their children, youth, and those involved in the Criminal Justice System within the community. Programs provide education, counseling and assistance.
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9. Do you have counselling or services for battered women?
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We do not offer services for battered women but you can contact one of the following organizations:
Battered Women's Support Services provides information, support, advocacy, counselling, referrals, and support groups for all women who have been in, or are, in an abusive relationship.
| Counselling | : 687-1867 |
| Business | : 687-1868 |
| TTY | : 687-6732 |
Alternatives to Violence provides counselling and educational services to victims and perpetrators of family violence. North Delta: 591-1185 South Delta: 943-8610
Stopping the Violence Program of Richmond BC offers individual and group counselling to women who have experienced violence. Telephone: 279-7077
Women Against Violence Against Women (WAVAW) is a confidential service-offered by staff and trained volunteers-for survivors of rape or sexual violence.
| Crisis (24-hour) | : 255-6344 |
| Business | : 255-6228 |
| TTY (Crisis) | : 254-6268 |
| TTY (Business) | : 258-0110. |
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10. Do you have any general support services for women?
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Elizabeth Fry Society runs a center for women called "The Maida Duncan Women's & Family Resource and Drop-in Center" (formely "Fryworks"). Call (604) 520-1166 to find out times. It is located in the basement, 402 East Columbia Street, New Westminster BC V3L 3X1. It is a women-only, women-centred environment that is safe, friendly and warm for those in need. No referral or appointment is required. Our staff and volunteers provide support & guidance to women who need information on:
Affordable Housing
Addition Services
Family Violence support services
Parenting Courses
Child Care Alternatives
Education and retraining Options
Nutrition and Budgeting
Accessing Native Services
And First Nations
Women are Welcome to drop in for a chat and have a coffee. |
