Grants and Contributions

The 7th Step Society of Canada is a national organization with seven chapters across the country. The organization supports offender reintegration by assisting in the preparation of pre-release plans and providing peer support to members. The Society holds public forums to engage with the general public and share information on crime, corrections and public safety. The Society also communicates with prison officials regarding the safe reintegration of offenders into the community.

The organization’s target population is the recidivist and long term offender group for both men and women.

L’Association des services de réhabilitation sociale du Québec (ASRSQ) is an umbrella organization composed of 63 community organizations across the province of Quebec providing over 100 points of service for persons involved in the criminal justice system. ASRSQ is one of few organizations working in the area of corrections and community reintegration that provides direct service to the francophone community. The organization also contributes to the national policy dialogue on matters related to criminal justice, with a recent focus on the Criminal Records Act and Bill C-93.

ASRSQ’s target population is its member organizations, the general public and federal/provincial institutions.

The Book Clubs for Inmates (BCFI) is a national organization with 36 book clubs in penitentiaries, healing lodges and transitional housing across Canada that are run by approximately 130 volunteers. BCFI organizes and administers volunteer-led book clubs which help inmates develop empathy, listening skills, and self-awareness. The skills acquired by book club participants improve their chances of a successful reintegration into society.

BCFI’s target population is incarcerated men and women, their children, and paroled individuals.

CoSA Canada represents the interests of Circles of Support of and Accountability at the national level and builds capacity of the local CoSA sites to do their work. There are CoSA program sites in fourteen communities across Canada which help individuals who have a history of sexual offending to reintegrate into the community with a support group of training staff and volunteers. CoSA Canada nurtures partnerships with government stakeholders and criminal justice organizations at the national level. In addition, the organization works to develop and champion good practices nationally, ensuring that program sites are equipped to provide support to individuals at the highest level of quality.

CoSA Canada’s target population are the local CoSA sites, the general public, and ex-offenders who have committed one or more sexual offences.

The John Howard Society of Canada (JHSC) is a national organization with fifty-three incorporated Societies providing services in over 80 communities across Canada. Direct service to individuals is delivered primarily by the local branches and affiliates (which are supported by provincial/territorial John Howard Societies). The JHSC functions as the liaison between community agencies and federal government departments and is involved in communications and research on federal matters related to corrections and criminal justice. The organization is committed to effective, just and humane responses to the causes and consequences of crime.

The organization’s target population is individuals who are, or at risk of becoming, criminally involved.

The National Associations Active in Criminal Justice is a national organization with twenty-one member organizations that have a presence in about 200 communities in Canada. The primary objective of the NAACJ is to enhance the capacity of its members to contribute to a humane, fair, equitable and effective criminal justice system. The organization also supports the activities of its members in the development of criminal justice policies.

NAACJ’s target population is its members who are national non-governmental organizations that work in the field of social and criminal justice.

St. Leonard’s Society of Canada (SLSC) is a national organization with a membership of eight affiliated not-for-profit organizations actively supporting the community safety needs of their local communities, largely through the operation of community-based residential facilities. The organization’s mission is to promote humane and informed justice policy and responsible leadership to foster safe communities. SLSC endorses evidence-based approaches to criminal and social justice, conducts research and develops policy, support member affiliates, and advances collaborative relationships and communication among individuals and organizations dedicated to social justice.

SLSC’s target population is its members who provide direct services to federally-sentenced people and young persons aged 12-18 years. Federally-sentenced men comprise the greatest population served by SLSC affiliates.

John Howard Society of Canada (JHSC) will engage with JHS Ontario to conduct the survey of CRFs which will be used to determine needs and appropriate technological solutions and develop communications tools to promote new system to prisoners. JHSC will use the services of a JHS Kingston case worker who would facilitate communication between prisoners and other JHS affiliates. The caseworker would meet with prisoners and assist them to connect virtually with CRF’s to create the best reintegration strategy possible.

John Howard Society of Canada (JHSC) will engage with JHS Ontario to conduct the survey of CRFs which will be used to determine needs and appropriate technological solutions and develop communications tools to promote new system to prisoners. JHSC will use the services of a JHS Kingston case worker who would facilitate communication between prisoners and other JHS affiliates. The caseworker would meet with prisoners and assist them to connect virtually with CRF’s to create the best reintegration strategy possible.