Programs & Services

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.

WOMEN-AT-RISK PROGRAMS

Ellendale

Located in a welcoming new facility, Ellendale is a residential program that provides structured relapse prevention for opiate-using women.

Columbia House

A residential program for women in transition from prison, Columbia Place provides participants with housing, lay counselling, and goal planning, preparing the women for community re-entry and independent living.

Pathways

Pathways provides semi-independent, small apartments for women who are without resources or in transition to independent living.

Sheena’s Place & Elizabeth Gurney House

Shelter homes for women, including those with young children, who are homeless or without resources. In a safe and supportive environment, the shelters provide daily necessities, crisis intervention, and support in dealing with addictions, housing, debt, and other needs.

Cynthia’s Place

This residential facility for homeless single women offers similar services to Sheena’s Place.

Maida Duncan Women’s Drop-in Centre

A crucial survival resource for marginalized women, the New Westminster drop-in offers showers, laundry, hot lunches, clothing, and household items, along with social activities, educational upgrading, and other programming.

Abbotsford Women’s Drop-In

A safe haven for homeless women or those in the sex trade, the centre provides hot lunches, donated clothing, and small household items. Women can participate in social activities and make use of case management services and a clean laundry program.

Women Working Wonders

A five-month program that assists hard-to-employ and underemployed criminalized women to acquire literacy, essential skills, and the Roofing Level 1 training required for work in the roofing industry.

Second Chances Boutique

Multiple-barriered women operate a children’s toy and clothing boutique. While gaining work experience, they learn essential skills, shipping/receiving, accounting, and retail management. Families below the poverty line receive annual points that they use to shop for family needs.

Transition to New Beginnings

The program provides transitional bridge housing for women who are pregnant or with a young infant, and who are awaiting access to safe, affordable housing when coming from addictions counselling/treatment.

COUNSELLING PROGRAMS

North Shore Family Preservation Program -

Burnaby Integrated Family Program (BIF)

The programs deliver counselling, intensive family preservation, and reunification services to families on the North Shore and in Burnaby or to youth at Orenda House. Services include in-home and group therapy, parent education and training, and therapeutic visitation.

CHILDREN/YOUTH AT RISK

North Shore Mentoring Program

The program matches at-risk children or youth with responsible adult volunteer mentors who provide friendship, guidance, and support. Group activities are also available.

‘Am’ut Aboriginal Youth Program

A culture-based, full-time attendance program in which aboriginal youth changing direction in their lives learn to make healthy choices and develop new skills. Visiting elders share knowledge and provide information on aboriginal teachings.

OURS

OURS ( Opportunity , Understanding, Respect, Success) conducts research, educational initiatives, and programming to help foster awareness about children of prisoners and to assist them in addressing the trauma and shame of parental incarceration and other challenges.

COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS

Third Party Administration

The TPA administers funds to clients, helping them receive statutory entitlements and address their individual circumstances. Clients are those banned from receiving services from particular government offices due to their behaviours or because of their need for higher levels of support and case management.

Crime and Consequences

A crime-prevention seminar for those charged with a criminal offence, their families, and the public, the program provides information and education about the criminal justice system.

Shoplifters’ Counselling

Promotes support, education, awareness, and relapse-prevention skills to those who want to develop healthy coping mechanisms as an alternative to shoplifting. The groups often serve as an effective component of court-ordered alternative measures and court-authorized diversion.

There is no pre-registration required – it is a 12 session program. Participants can be tracked if they wish(slips confirming attended can be requested)

Attendance is open to everyone – drop in welcome

New Westminster Meeting - Women and Men

Time: 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Every Monday

Location: 402 East Columbia Street , (corner or E. Columbia and Sherbrooke …across from the hospital…..(BIG blue building)

Abbotsford Meeting - Women only

Time: Tuesdays - 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

Location: Abbotsford Drop-In Centre

2a – 32330 South Fraser Way
Abbotsford , V2T 1X1
Ph. 1-604-504-7791
Fax 1-604-504-7795

Contact: Maria Gray 604-836-1952

*** Vancouver Meeting – Women Only

Time: Wednesdays - 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Location: Downtown Community Court
211 Gore Street
Vancouver , BC V6C 1V5
Ph. 778-551-0644

***This venue only, clients need to be prepared to go

Through security via metal detector so they need to be

Prepared to remove items from their pockets.

Downtown Community Court Program

Volunteers assist clients of the community court understand and navigate the court process. They accompany clients required to attend services within the court complex, transfer documentation, and interact with crown counsel, defense counsel, judges, Corrections staff, Vancouver Coastal Health Staff, and others involved in the court process.

PRISON PROGRAMS

Volunteer Visiting

At the Surrey Pre-Trial Services Centre, Fraser Valley Institution (FVI), and Alouette Correctional Centre for Women (ACCW) volunteers provide information on community resources, support, and socialization opportunities through social and recreational activities.

Mom & Me

At the ACCW and Surrey Pre-Trial Centre, the program provides support and programming activities that help women keep in touch with their children and families.

Community In-reach

At the ACCW, FVI, and Surrey Pre-Trial, the program assists women leaving prison to plan for their release and to find housing.

Girls’ Prison Advocacy

This program advocates on behalf of girls in custody at the Burnaby Youth Custody Centre, ensures they understand their rights, and teaches them self-advocacy skills.

Burnaby Youth Custody Centre Services

Volunteers provide recreation and education opportunities, one-on-one visitation, and support for youth in