Services and Programs

The Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa offers a variety of practical and effective programs and services to our clients. Women of all ages are referred to the Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa by the officials working in the criminal justice system, by lawyers, medical professionals, social workers, social assistance workers, and by staff of community-based organizations and agencies. Women also seek out our services through word-of-mouth referrals and self-referrals.

Individual Counselling

A counsellor provides one-on-one support and advocacy services to clients and assists them in assessing their needs and/or risks. Together, the counsellor and client determine strategies to help the woman respond to and deal with her individual circumstances.

Group Counselling

Programs are run in a group setting, with specific modules and learning objectives for each session. Groups meet each week, and run for 6 to 16 weeks.

Theft Prevention Programs

These programs for both adults and youth – address the underlying issues that contribute to theft behaviour. Clients learn to identify their theft “triggers” and they acquire appropriate tools to cope with and overcome these stressors. The program introduces alternative choices and offers additional resources, support and referrals.

Programs for youth, contact: Mackenzie (English) Sophie (French)

Programs for women, contact: Svjetlana

Programs for diversion women, contact: Svjetlana

Programs for men, contact: Chantal (French)

Direct Accountability Program

An alternative to prosecution for eligible individuals 18 years of age and older who have been charged with minor criminal offences.  The Program will accept referrals that have been screened by the Crown as eligible to participate in a Community-based alternative to the Court process and who have been assessed by the Community Justice Worker as appropriate for the Program.

Contact: Tania

Healthy Choices

Over an 8-week period, groups for both adults and youth explore healthy methods of communication and assertiveness, and issues around self-esteem, peer pressure, substance use and misuse, healthy relationships, and other familial issues.

Programs for adults, contact: Melissa
Programs for youth, contact: Melissa

Anger Programming- Adult (10 weeks)

This 10-week program for adult women helps them learn to identify the role of anger and its use/misuse. Clients learn to recognize different “styles” of anger and concrete strategies to effectively manage their own anger. Group members also learn more about their own personal and community resources.

Groups for adults, contact: Yoshie
Groups for youth, contact: Mackenzie

Conflict Resolution - Youth (8 weeks)

Identifies the role of conflict within interpersonal relationships
Explores appropriate responses to conflict
Builds effective communication skills

Contact: Mackenzie

Hooked Up (full-time on-going program)

Target clientele is women and transgendered individuals who are involved in the sex-trade industry
Provides peer support - Assists in developing harm reduction strategies as it relates to sex work
Offers access to food bank and various other resources
Assists with basic needs (housing, identification)

Contact: Svjetlana

Gateway - Adult (8 weeks)

Supper Club program for women and transgendered individuals who are involved in the sex-trade industry
Official follow-up to The Salvation Army's 3 day STEP Program

Contact: Svjetlana

Relapse Prevention Programming

A 10-week program for women interested in learning relapse prevention skills that can help them become more aware of the bio-psycho-social factors directly associated with addictions and relapse prevention. 

Contact: Giovanna

Parenting Teen Girls

5 weekly group sessions of learning, discussion and practice. Topics include: healthy female adolescent development, strengthening communication and trust, positive discipline and problem solving practices, promoting resiliency and self responsibility, access to information and resources.

Contact: Melissa

Support Services

The following additional services are offered at our local office and can be incorporated based on the needs of individual participants and availability.

Family Support Program

Information workshops for parents and youth
A sharing environment and a peer network for both parents and youth

Contact: Melissa

House Retention and Support

Provides support and advocacy on housing issues
Information workshops on tenant rights
Assists with housing searches, landlord-tenant negotiations

Contact: Marie-Josée

J.F. Norwood House (housing)

Provides transitional housing for women in a 12 bed facility designed to assist women with reintegration into the community and offer assistance finding permanent housing.  Each woman is assigned a personal support worker to help her with her reintegration plan.

Community Reintegration Program

The Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa has a counsellor at the Ottawa Carleton Detention Centre, where we offer community reintegration planning to women, including young offenders.

Contact: Jessica

Court Support and Accompaniment

In our Courthouse office (adjacent to Courtroom #4), volunteers provide information assistance and support to women and girls who are going through the criminal justice system.
Our court support workers are available to accompany women and girls who must appear in court, help find legal representation, and provide assistance for individuals released from custody at the Courthouse.

Contact: Nicole

Note: These programs are social service related, and not clinical in nature; we have an array of E.Fry assessment and development tools.

Peer Support Group

Support group for criminalized women to assist woman with reintegration, understanding conditions of release, provide assistance with the grievance process as needed.

Please note that this service is no longer provided, however if you would like to speak with someone regarding this matter, please contact: Melissa

 

Youth Services between ages 12 to 18

Want help sorting out what you need and want for your life? In conflict with the law? Want support working through a problem or building new skills?
Our youth counsellor will listen and support you in reaching your goals.

Here is what E-Fry Ottawa offers youth and their families:

Individual counselling
Theft Prevention: counselling aimed at addressing the issues underlying theft behavior
Anger Program Group: 9 sessions of socializing, learning and practicing ways to communicate assertively to resolve conflicts
Love Yourself Love Life Group: 6 weeks of
developing strategies to “increase everyday happiness “
Young Women at Risk of Sexual Exploitation Programs: counselling, support, outreach and advocacy    
Housing Support Services
Family counselling
Parents of Teens Support Group
Reintegration Support:  for youth who are in detention or open custody at  Talitha  House or Sundance Youth Correctional Facility and returning to the Ottawa area

For more information contact our youth workers: Mackenzie

Youth Direct
A collection of prose, poetry, art created by the Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa youth clients

Submit your work:to Mackenzie

Telephone:

(613) 237-7427

Toll-Free:

1-800-611-4755