Ryan: Achieves success with “a little help from his natural supports.”

Prior to being released from incarceration in August 2021, Ryan accessed support from the CJHS Reintegration Support program to develop an achievable release plan and find suitable housing. With this help, he immediately secured residence at the Calgary Dream Centre and connected with CJHS’s Employment Services. Ryan developed an employment action plan that included his […]

Jesse: Transforming from an offender to an inspirational role model

Shortly after being released from prison, Jesse joined CJHS’s Building Bonds in the Community program; a volunteer-driven program offering support to individuals exiting prison. Jesse has been a participant for over ten years, gaining self-confidence and inspiring others.   “He used to be insecure and doubt everything he did, because he felt he didn’t deserve his […]

David: Being a part of the solution

David* had been incarcerated for 15 years; he entered prison when he was 22 and left at age 37. From 2017 – 2018, one year before his full release, he was able to leave prison on temporary absences (TAs). Bedford House was one of the places that he stayed at on his TA. He was […]

Hope: CJHS program removed fear and replaced it with skill and confidence

Struggling with mental health and addiction issues, both root causes of crime, Hope* had difficulty managing her finances each month. She often found herself having to borrow money and to access the Calgary Food Bank. Referred to CJHS by Momentum, a Calgary non profit with programs that help individuals on low income, she was able […]

Louis: Living a Better Life

Louis* has been working with a criminal record for the past 10 years at Costco and was doing well. Then he committed two offences, including shoplifting an item from a local department store. He was sent to remand for 120 days but was having difficulty getting out when his time was up as he had […]

Enzo: A Life Outside the Walls

Now that he is sober and clean for close to three years, Enzo can look back over a 25 year period in his life when he was sentenced to prison almost 30 times. He was highly addicted and supported his addiction through committing many break and enters. Today he finds it hard to believe that […]

William: studying as a senior

When CJHS’s digital literacy instructor asked William if he had considered going back to school, he was surprised. “I thought, ‘I’m 60 years old and I spent 40 years destroying gray matter in my brain. How can I possibly do that?’” Fast-forward three years, and William has done just that. He is eight classes away […]

Steve: a star employee

For the first time in his life, Steve is excited to wake up in the morning and go to work. “I love this job,” Steve says. “I actually look forward to coming to work every day. I’m blessed for this opportunity. I try my hardest every day — I don’t want to mess it up.” […]

Nic: increasing independence

After a domestic dispute at home, Nic felt he had no choice but to leave. He was 16. Nic stayed at a youth emergency shelter for a month. “It was a little scary,” he says. “Especially since I’ve never done drugs so adjusting to being around that crowd was daunting. I didn’t feel like I […]

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 […]