Highlights from 2018

After 23+ years at the Calgary John Howard Society (CJHS), and the last 5 ½ years as the Executive Director, Leslie McMechan has announced that ...

DR, a father struggling with addiction issues, reached out to the Calgary John Howard Society (CJHS) for support with finding employment. He attended an employment ...

In 2022, as pandemic restrictions lifted and city life resumed, we confronted a pressing issue. A staggering 80% of our Calgary Young Offender Centre (CYOC) ...

In 2022, the EFSP program supported 36 new clients. The caseworkers were in court 111 times to advocate for their clients. 68% of the ...

Meet Bill, a 35-year-old man who has embarked on a remarkable journey of redemption. Throughout his troubled childhood, Bill experienced the harsh realities of life, ...

For 15 years, Shawn lived a life in flux, homeless with brief periods of housing. Life had taken a toll on him physically and mentally, ...

The Circle of Courage assessment is completed with every Gang Exit and Community Outreach Services (GECOS) client upon initial intake to document any changes or ...

An opportune encounter with a volunteer, Stephanie, from Na’amat brought forth a wave of good fortune for Raido House, our youth housing facility catering to ...

Did you know; 21 new CCMS clients were accepted in 2021 34 clients received addiction & substance abuse counselling support 32 clients received linkage to ...

“I felt broken, lost and that I had wasted my years”, this is how Gary* describes his life while he was actively involved in crime ...

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 ...

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 ...

David* had been incarcerated for 15 years; he entered prison when he was 22 and left at age 37. From 2017 – 2018, one year ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Ignite is the Calgary John Howard Society’s public awareness project that is showcasing art representing individuals’ experiences with substance use and the stigma associated with ...

Alex is a hockey enthusiast. He’s also a chef, athlete and gentleman. “But it’s just common courtesy,” the modest 23-year-old protests of his conscious effort ...

It wasn’t long ago that Michael was battling his own addictions. Now, thanks in part to the home he found through one of CJHS’s housing ...

At 61, William might not look like the average college student. Nevertheless, he’s determined to go back to school in order to help people who’ve ...

Chelsea was visiting the CJHS office on a college field trip when her ears perked up — there was an opening for a peer mentor ...

When 17-year-old Isaias won his first boxing match this past winter, he was more than proud — he was elated. He had been training hard, ...

Katie’s warm energy and infectious grin makes you feel welcome as soon as you step into her home at a CJHS youth building. The 20-year-old ...

Thorn* lives at Bedford House, a community-based residential facility for men exiting the justice system. Most men who live there are on parole, but not ...

Thoughtful and observant, 52-year-old Peter* speaks with the wisdom of someone who has experienced life on the streets. Peter began drinking regularly at age 16 ...

 Working, grocery shopping, cooking, doing laundry, paying rent and taxes – these are things that are part of everyday life for most adults. Tom* ...