Prison visitation and community outreach programs to debut at CJHS
This holiday season, CJHS is unwrapping two new restorative justice programs: the Prison Visitation (formerly Man to Man Woman to Woman, or M2W2) and After-Prison Outreach (formerly M2-Community, or M2-C) programs. Starting January 1, 2020, CJHS is welcoming both programs (adopted from the Mennonite Central Committee Alberta) along with nearly 80 volunteers who will connect […]
National John Howard Society Awards
Each year, staff and volunteers at John Howard Societies across the country are nominated and recognized for the outstanding contribution they have made to their communities in terms of restorative justice, crime prevention and making communities safer. In November 2019, Lacey Leibel, the manger of our women’s residence, was honoured with the Humanitarian Service Award […]
Kickin’ It in the Kitchen offers stabilization starting point
Kickin’ It in the Kitchen offers stabilization starting point Every Tuesday, the men at CJHS’s Bedford House meet in the kitchen for a new cooking program developed by staff member Karen Crowther, called “Kickin’ It in the Kitchen.” The purpose of the program is to give the residents an informal gathering place to develop life […]
Fluffy visitors bring joy to Berkana House
Fluffy visitors bring joy to Berkana House Who doesn’t love puppies and kittens? Thanks to Megan’s Rescue Efforts Society, the women at CJHS’s Berkana House were treated to some very special furry visitors in November 2019. Pet therapy has become more common in the last several years and studies have shown that it can help […]
CJHS competes in the 2019 Fast Pitch Finals
Ever wondered how employing former offenders actually reduces crime & makes Calgary safer? We shared this message and more at the 2019 Fast Pitch Finals hosted by Social Venture Partners Calgary on Nov. 7! Watch the three-minute pitch below.
Gord Sand, retired CJHS executive director, wins leadership award, as well as lifetime achievement award
Gord Sand, Executive Director at the Calgary John Howard Society (CJHS) from 1981-2019, was one of seven individuals and groups in Alberta who received awards for their work in the fields of preventative and restorative justice in a ceremony at Government House in August 2019. The following month, he also won the Willie Gibbs Lifetime […]
Help with cannabis pardon applications now available
Canadians who have been previously convicted of simple cannabis possession are now able to apply for a pardon (also known as a record suspension) with no application fee or wait period, once their sentence has been served. And the Calgary John Howard Society (CJHS) is here to help! Through our intake program, CJHS can help […]
Moving forward – the Brain Story
The Brain Story In 2018, CJHS embarked on a journey of change that would enable us to better serve our justice-involved clients — the overwhelming majority of whom experienced trauma as children. The Alberta Family Wellness Initiative (created by the Palix Foundation) has been guiding this journey over the past year, as our staff are […]
Alannah’s story
Looking back at different parts of her life, Alannah, now 24, feels like they are completely different lifetimes. “I almost can’t relate because I’m not that person anymore,” she says. Alannah was placed into foster care at the age of three and, even from a young age, she felt she wasn’t wanted. “It felt like […]
Danny’s story
When asked what the most influential thing in his life has been, Danny has one word: boxing. “I thought I was a tough guy and stepped into the ring. I got humbled really quick,” he says. “It made me realize that you can’t always approach everything with sheer force — you have to think things […]