The Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver works with women and youth in conflict with the law. We provide housing, support and counselling for women, children and youth to help them improve their lives. Our programs and services help build healthy and safe communities for all.
Services for Women at Risk
Marguerite's Place
A residential program for women, and an extension of Liz Carmichael House, provides additional recovery beds for women struggling with addiction. The program assists and support women with issues such as mental illness, infectious diseases, malnutrition, and other needs. The residence will also provide emergency shelter beds for homeless women.
Funded by the Fraser Health Authority.
The Maida Duncan Drop-in Centre for Women
The Centre provides educational upgrading, social recreation activities, hot lunches, snacks, clothing and small household items donations to low-income and marginalized women. Computer lab is also available with volunteer support and instruction. Center is maintained by 40+ volunteers and is open 30 hrs a week.
Funded by Elizabeth Fry Society and the Federal Government (computers).
Columbia House
An around-the-clock residential program is home to 10 women at any one time who have been in conflict with the law or who are in a state of transition. The philosophy is one of self direction and independence, with individual counselling and goal planning focusing on self reliance, coping skills and independent living.
Funded by the Corrections Services of Canada and the Ministry of Human Resources.
Sheena's Place
An around the clock residential program for women and their children who are homeless and/or without resources. It provides safe and comfortable shelter, daily necessities, crisis intervention, a magical playroom for children, an on site Alcohol & Drug counsellor and a Community Support Worker.
Funded by the Ministry of Human Resources
Liz Carmichael House
A Residential program for women on methadone. It provides support and assistance for women to access community resources and find long term housing and support.
Funded by the Fraser Health Authority.
Alouette Correctional Center for Women
Fraser Valley Institute
The program provides Alcohol & Drug Counselling and Community Re-entry Support at the above institutions. Program also provides women imprisoned, or held on remand, with one-to-one support, visits, counselling, and a pro-social life-skills program.
Funded by the Ministry of the Attorney General.
Surrey Pretrial Centre
The Surrey Pre-trial center is a maximum security facility for men and women who are charged with offences but have yet to receive bail.
This is a regional remand center for men and women located in Surrey.
Family Support and Counselling Programs
Burnaby Integrated Family Program
Provides counselling for Orenda Residential Program families and other families in Burnaby/New Westminster who request family counselling.
Funded by the Ministry of Children & Family Development
North Shore Family Preservation Program
Delivers
Intensive Family Preservation and Reunification Services to Families on the
North
Shore
as identified by MCFD. This service is delivered under subcontract with
Hollyburn Family Services. Family Preservation services include in-home
therapeutic interventions, group therapeutic services, integrated case
management, parent training and education, and therapeutic visitation. Service
is delivered within 6 months of intake, and focuses on reducing risk factors
to children as identified by MCFD.
North Shore Mentoring Program
This program matches at risk children/youth between the ages of six and eighteen with responsible, reliable adult volunteers. Volunteer mentors commit to spend a minimum of two hours per week for a minimum of one year (this is flexible) with their match providing friendship, guidance and support. Activities that the child/youth and mentor participate take place in the community and are not restricted to the North Shore. Examples of activities in include sports, community events/activities, helping with homework, assisting with job/career searches. The Society is able to provide tickets to sporting/cultural events, movies, special events etc when they are available.
Please contact the mentoring coordinator for more information at
sarah.debodt@elizabethfry.com or (604) 520-1166 ext 239.
**There is no set time/shift for this opportunity as it is dependent on the schedule of the volunteer and the child/youth. Timing can vary each week depending on your schedule and the schedule of the child/youth
**
Eligibility requirements: 19+ years of age, attend an interview, undergo a criminal record search, provide three references, and a driver's abstract (if applicable).
Services for Youth at Risk
Centre for Children of Offenders
Six out of every ten children of offenders become involved in crime and prison. These appalling odds can be changed. This centre will help "break the cycle" through peer, mentoring and school programs. Children will participate in programs designed specifically for them to develop the self-esteem, communication and conflict resolution skills that will keep them our of the criminal justice system.
The Center will be located in New Westminster on the first floor of the main Elizabeth Fry Society building and funding is being actively sought to make this program a reality.
Currently under the Society's auspices, PIP/POP (Parents in Prison, Parents on Parole) a child focused group of incarcerated parents, partners of incarcerated parents and caregivers of children was founded to assist in identifying these children in need. The strong stakeholder credibility of E. Fry and PIP/POP members enables us to transcend fear of "the system" of identifying their children to "the state." PIP/POP is now meeting with Inmate Committees within prisons in the Lower Mainland area. PIP/POP provides parents in prison with support and assistance, and facilitates the identification of children. The Elizabeth Fry Society then provides case management support to the caregivers, streams appropriate children to Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver for mentoring.
Please Visit the
www.childrenofoffenders.com Website to know more about this program.
'Am'ut Aboriginal Youth Residential Treatment Program
A residential, culturally based, psycho-social addiction treatment program for Aboriginal youth. The program provides youth with opportunities to develop and enhance skills and assets related to successful community living and personal well being.
Funded by the Ministry of Children and Family Development.
Orenda
A specialized residential program for up to six youths aged 11 to 17. The average length of stay is six months with family members attending weekly counselling sessions and the residents returning home on the weekends. The end goal is for youth to be able to return home to a safe, stable environment for their parents and themselves.
Funded by the Ministry of Children & Family Development
The Burnaby Youth Custody Services
There are two coordinators of Volunteer who supervise volunteer programs at the centre. Volunteers are involved in various programs such as recreation, education, one-to-one visitation and support programs.
Funded by the Ministry of Children & Family Development
Community Programs
Nanaimo Program
A dedicated group of women on Vancouver Island started visiting women held in city/RCMP cells to insure that their immediate needs/issues were addressed. Since early 2005 this group has been advocating for a local facility to hold incarcerated women rather than transporting them back and forth from the Mainland. Future plans include the creation of a residential program for women on remand, enabling them to provide bail beds and supervision to those who would otherwise be denied bail. The group is currently acquiring a small office in Nanaimo to operate out of, with the support of the Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver. It is the hope in the near future once funding sources are identified and secured to have the Naniamo group become the 28th independent Elizabeth Fry Society in Canada. From this point they can then provide services to women in need throughout Vancouver Island.
Please contact our center at the following address 201 Shelby St, Nanaimo, V9R 2K2 BC, Call us @ 250-755-7726.
Third Party Administration Program
The Third Party Administration Program administers funds for the Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance for clients who, due to behavioral concerns, are banned from the local Ministry offices. We operate the Third Party Administration Program for clients in Langley, Surrey, Maple Ridge, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Coquitlam, Burnaby and New Westminster.
Crime and Consequences
A three hour crime prevention seminar held semi-annually for offenders, their families and the general public. The seminars provide information and education about the criminal justice system.
Shoplifters Anonymous
This program has been in existence since 1972 and has been providing support for clients with these unique needs for over 30years. The Counselling Program has been utilized as an effective component for both Alternative Measures and Court Ordered requirements.
Suitable for young persons 16years of age and older.
This program provides clients with:
Increased self awareness and education.
Assistance in identifying personal triggers.
Help to develop alternate, healthier coping mechanisms.
Provides safety, emotional and group support.
Relapse prevention planning.
Aftercare plan for those who wish to remain active in the group process.
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