The Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa offers assistance to women, including young women, who have been or may be at risk of coming into conflict with the law. Some of the many different programs and services available to women, confidential and free of charge, include the following:

• individual & group counselling
• court-related information & support
• shoplifting prevention, healthy lifestyles/choices & anger solutions
• prison support, counselling, outreach & discharge planning
• housing and residential programs.

More than 90% of all women in trouble with the law have themselves been victims of sexual assault or physical abuse. The majority of incarcerated women are inside due to crimes driven by poverty and social issues, and many have children. It is a cycle that can only be stopped by a caring society

Operations and Programs

Sherrie Tingley, Executive Director
Jodie Golden,** Executive Director
Kate Wolff, Administrative Assistant
Jackie Joynt, Outreach Worker
Kay Rawson, Volunteer Coordinator
Vanessa Robinson, Manager of Residential Services
Lee Anne Lee,* Manager of Residential Services / Discharge Planner
Rebecca Rutland, Discharge Planner
Tania Hasbani, Manager of Community Counselling
Deborah Kaulback, Youth Counsellor
Sophie Lafontaine, Housing Support Worker
Tessa McFadzean,* Housing Support Worker

* Left during 2004/2005
** On leave 2004/2005

JF Norwood House

Charrie Monette, Full-time
Catherine St. Onge, Full-time
Darlene Simard, Relief
Joy Morgan, Relief
Sue Venditti,* Relief
Eileen Harper,* Relief
Almarine Thomas,* Relief
Phyllis Eaton,* Relief
Angela Rea, Relief
Rachael Ward, Relief
Heather Money, Relief
Alison Telford, Relief
Tracy McMartin, Relief
Chantal Jodoin, Relief
Megan Leslie, Relief

* Left during 2004/2005

JF Norwood House depends on the dedication and high level of commitment characteristic of our staff, our board of directors, our students, and our volunteers. We are grateful for the generosity and contributions provided by local businesses and members of the community.

• Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services
– Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre

• Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services
– JF Norwood House

• City of Ottawa Community Funding

• City of Ottawa
– Supporting Community Initiatives Program

• Community Foundation of Ottawa

• United Way of Ottawa

• Correctional Services of Canada
– JF Norwood House

• Human Resources and Skills Development Canada

• Met Life Alumni Association

Each year at this time, as I look back over the year gone by, I realize that as individuals and as an organization, we've gotten a little wiser, we've learned some new skills and gained valuable life experience, and we've taken on some new and different responsibilities. Life is a constant process of change and adaptation - both for individuals and for groups - and E.Fry Ottawa is part of that process.

Our dedicated and hard-working corps of staff and volunteers have been very busy over the year, and we've accomplished a lot. We've challenged ourselves to examine the quality of our services and our operations, and made improvements where necessary. We've challenged ourselves to raise the profile of our agency, so that the public and funders know of our important contributions to the community. Of course, not all of our efforts meet with success, but we will continue to grow and mature as an agency, so that our services will continue to make a very positive difference in people's lives.

Over the coming year, we'll do more planning to refine and improve our programs and our funding approaches so that E.Fry Ottawa continues to thrive in a rapidly changing and challenging environment.

The programs and services offered by E.Fry Ottawa are described throughout this annual report. I urge you to learn more about the agency, because I know you will be impressed by the knowledge, enthusiasm, and commitment that informs our work.

Once again, my sincere thanks to the dedicated staff of E.Fry Ottawa, and to the volunteers, Board members, and friends of the organization. Your work is important.

Nancy Colborne Perkins
Board President

Our Executive Director

After only six months with the Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa, I am honoured and privileged to work with such a dedicated group of staff, board, students, and volunteers. Your work in helping women and female youth who have been or may be at risk of coming into conflict with the law is clearly evident throughout this report.

A key factor in all the successes achieved this year has been the tireless and devoted work of the E.Fry staff. It has also been a privilege working with the Board of Directors who generously commit their time and energies to this cause. Our board members volunteered an incredible number of hours to provide support and direction to the organization. And our dedicated volunteers worked many hours and helped us maintain high-quality programs. Thank you all for your tremendous work in supporting E.Fry Ottawa.

I would like to thank the United Way of Ottawa and the City of Ottawa for their continued funding support - E.Fry Ottawa would not be as effective or as efficient without their sustained support. I also want to thank the Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services and the federal Correctional Service of Canada for their support of us as community partners in this work.

Thanks also to the many individuals, community groups, and businesses which support our work with their generous donations.

The coming year will be both challenging and fulfilling. Our objective is to undertake a comprehensive process of service transformation, with the goal of providing more responsive, higher quality, and more-effective services to our clients, and increased accountability to our funders, members, and the wider community.

Each day, the struggles, successes, and courage of our clients reminds us of the importance of our mission. It is a privilege to share this journey.

Sherrie Tingley
Executive Director

Counselling and Public Education:

Our community counselling services provide assistance in the form of crisis intervention, information about the legal and justice systems, advocacy with family and within the criminal justice system, housing support, and programs for victimization, life skills, referrals and support. Referrals to our services are made by workers in the criminal justice system, social workers, social assistance workers, lawyers, medical professionals, and self-referred women. Our focus for the coming year will be to explore an integrated case management assessment and measurement tool. A significant aspect of our work is raising awareness about issues affecting women involved with the criminal justice system and the need for adequate resources and supports. Breaking down stereotypes and informing the public and all levels of government about our work is fundamental to creating a safer and more inclusive community.

Outreach Services:

Hooked Up is an outreach program which offers non-judgmental and peer support services to women who have been involved in the sex-trade. The program focuses on providing support, education and harm reduction. Information and support services are provided off-site during the day, as well as one evening until at least midnight, in order to provide street outreach to isolated and marginalized women. This year, 217 women were served under this program. Highlighting the success of this program, our outreach worker appeared on the television show “Talk Ottawa,” was featured in the Ottawa Express newspaper, and helped establish a partnership with the City of Ottawa’s Site Van.

Gateway is a weekly supper club program offered in partnership with St. Joe’s Women Centre. It is aimed at women and transgendered individuals involved in the sex-trade industry. Gateway is the official follow-up to the Salvation Army’s three-day Sex-Trade Education Program and it takes a harm-reduction approach. Participants are involved in discussions on prostitution, safe sex, community resources, healthy relationships, safety planning, and other topics. This year, 24 women participated in the Gateway Program. The focus for 2005 will be to increase the number of hours spent doing outreach work on the street.

Housing Retention and Eviction Prevention:
Funded by the City of Ottawa, under the Supporting Community Initiatives Programs of Human Resources and Social Development Canada

This program offers assistance to women in need of housing and helps women retain their housing once they have acquired a safe and affordable unit. Additional services include providing clients with assistance regarding the Tenant Protection Act, and accompanying clients to meetings with the Housing Tribunal. We have recently expanded the services of our housing support program to include providing in-reach services at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre and one afternoon working on-site at the Ottawa provincial courthouse.

Court-Related Programs and Services:

There was an increase in referrals to our Anger Solutions Program and Shoplifting Prevention Program, which are offered both individually and in group settings to youth and adult women. Groups run from six to 12 weeks and are offered during the day and evenings. This year, 480 youth and adult women accessed these programs.

Building on the strengths of our highly effective court programs, in 2005 we will be piloting a Theft Prevention Program for Men. This program is the result of two months of research and development to incorporate the fundamental principles of cognitive behavioural therapy and adapt the program for male clients. The objectives of the program are to help participants identify and address the underlying issues pertaining to their theft behaviour.

In an effort to continue providing high-quality court-mandated programs, beginning October 1, 2005, our organization will begin implementing a sliding-scale user fee for adult clients referred to our Anger Solutions and Theft Prevention programs.

Discharge Planning:
Contracted with the Ontario Ministry of Public Safety and Security

Our services at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre (OCDC) provide women with assistance upon their arrival at the Centre, support during their incarceration, and preparations around their discharge date. Linking women to different community resources such as health and social services, addiction referrals, and housing is fundamental to the discharge process. At any given time, 28 women are incarcerated at the Detention Centre. Of those, 20 are classified as a minimum security risk, six are classified as maximum security, and two are likely to be kept in segregation due to instability, misconduct, or as part of a suicide watch. In 2004, over 360 women were provided with support while incarcerated and discharge services. Construction is currently underway at the Detention Centre, and a separate area for incarcerated women has been planned.

Youth Services:

The Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa delivers a range of services designed to help teen girls build self-awareness, set personal goals, and develop the skills they need to avoid coming into conflict with the law. Community-based programs include Family Counselling, Anger Solutions Programming, Stop Shoplifting, and Sex-trade Worker Support.

Outreach services to Talitha House and the William E. Hay Centre provide girls incarcerated there with counselling, advocacy and support as they reintegrate into the community. Demands for services have increased, particularly for our Anger Solutions program and supports for youth involved in the sex-trade.

Throughout 2004, we have been actively helping other community organizations to develop gender-specific programs for women, and responding to the new realities of the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA). In 2005, we anticipate an increase in community outreach to girls at risk, especially those involved in the sex-trade.

Volunteer Initiatives Program

Our thanks to all our volunteers for a very successful and interesting year. Again this year, we had a great team of dedicated volunteers who gave freely of their time and energies. Over 70 volunteers participated over the year, including practicum students in social services and criminal justice programs and volunteers serving on the board of directors.

As our volunteer numbers continue to grow, we have been successful in supporting many women through our programs at the courthouse, at JF Norwood House, the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre, and in our new youth support initiative. A total of 2,768 volunteer hours were contributed to these programs. In addition, our fundraising events such as Art in the Garden and Karaoke for a Cause were supported by a large number of volunteers.

The Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa is very grateful for financial support received from the United Way of Ottawa-Carleton and the City of Ottawa, which help fund our counselling and outreach programs and services.

JF Norwood House

JF Norwood House is a transitional housing program which offers a supportive living environment to six women and two families. Drawing upon community support and contributions, we offer women and families a chance at successful reintegration into the wider community, an opportunity to work on personal education and employment objectives, and concrete help to access other community and health services, all in an environment which supports and nurtures their individual strengths and potential. Over the year, 25 women and one child were housed in our residential facility.

Volunteer Contributions…
· Extensive support from a dedicated corps of volunteers.
· Many generous donations from members of the community.
· Programming support and contributions from skilled students at Carleton University, University of Ottawa, and Algonquin College, who completed field placements at JF Norwood House.

Connections with Community Agencies…
· Participation in Volunteer Ottawa & the United Way’s “Youth Day of Caring.”
· Partnership with the Ottawa Food Bank to help provide nutritious food for our residents.
· Received funding from the Community Foundation of Ottawa to operate an extremely successful Collective Kitchen program in the residence.
· The Canadian Office of Human Rights generously provided the House with regular donations of bread and baked goods.

Funders
· Renewed and expanded our contract with the Correctional Service of Canada to provide beds for federally sentenced women. We are now able to provide an increased number of beds to federally sentenced women.
· Renewed our contract with the Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services to accommodate the needs of provincially sentenced women on conditional release.

The Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa
Financial Position, as of March 31, 2005

The Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa
Operations for the year ended March 31, 2005