THE JOHN HOWARD SOCIETY

OF NOVA SCOTIA

2010-2011 ANNUAL REPORT

“The Way Forward”

Find us on the web: www.ns.johnhoward.ca

2010-2011 Annual Report – “Celebrating 61 Years of Service”

i

Certified

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CORE STATEMENTS:

Description ………………….……………………………………………….… ii

Mission …………………….…………………………………………………... ii

Methods ………………………………………………………………………... ii

Values ………………………………………………………………………….. ii

BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

List of Directors ...……………………………………..………………………. iii

List of Board of Directors Meetings ..…………………………………….….… iii

List of Executive Committee Meetings .………….………………………….…. iii

REPORTS:

President’s Report ………………………………………………………….……. 1

Executive Director’s Report ………………………………………………….….. 2

Central Regional Report ………………………………………………………..... 4

North Eastern Regional Report ………………………………………………….. 8

Halifax Regional Report ……………………………………………………….…11

2010-2011 Annual Report – “Celebrating 61 Years of Service”

ii

Certified

John Howard Society of Nova Scotia

Core Statements

Description: The John Howard Society of Nova Scotia is a provincial organization comprising and governed by people whose goal is to understand and respond to problems of crime and the criminal justice system. Mission: Effective, just and humane responses to the causes and consequences of crime. Methods: In furtherance of its Mission, the Society:

- works with people who have come into conflict with the law, - reviews, evaluates and advocates for changes in the criminal justice process,

- engages in public education on matters relating to criminal law and its application, and promotes

crime prevention through community activities. Values: More specifically, the Society engages in the following:

- Advocacy, which includes active, planned and frequent contact with the media, key government policy analysis, advisors and politicians and committees with respect to the promotion of the objectives of the John Howard Society of Nova Scotia

- Research related to the development and dissemination of briefs and positions on matters of

national and provincial importance which incorporates positions in the furtherance of objectives of the John Howard Society of Nova Scotia;

- Communication with other John Howard Societies to promote a coordinated consultative

process which allows the Society to respond to the needs of members and facilitate joint projects.

- Community Education which focuses on the sharing of information among members and the promotion of the objectives of the John Howard Society of Nova Scotia to the members through board development activities and broad based community education initiatives to enhance its role.

- Coalition Building through a coordinated process of information sharing and the dissemination

of materials with other like minded organizations;

- Resource development initiatives to strengthen the ability of the provincial office to further the objectives of the John Howard Society of Nova Scotia

- Direct service provision by supervising those ho have come in conflict with the law, by assisting

with community reintegration and by working with the families of offenders.

2010-2011 Annual Report – “Celebrating 61 Years of Service”

iii

Certified

2010-2011 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Name Office Notes

Janis Aitken

President

Jane MacMaster

Past President

Dana Bowden

Vice President

Flora MacLeod

Secretary/Treasurer

Bob MacDonald

Director

Terry Hatcher

Director

Terry “Ted” Smith

Director

Oscar Miller

Director

Angela Power

Director

Don Clairmont

Director

Joined Board February 2011

2010-2011 BOARD OF DIRECTOR MEETINGS

Date Location No. of Directors Present

June 29th, 2010 (Re-org) Dartmouth 7 of 9

August 21st, 2010 Dartmouth 6 of 9

November 6th

, 2010 Dartmouth 7 of 8

February 12th

, 2011 Dartmouth 7 of 10

May 7th, 2011 Dartmouth 7 of 10

2010-2011 Annual Report – “Celebrating 61 Years of Service”

1

Certified

President’s Report

This year saw many changes with the John

Howard Society of Nova Scotia, not the

least of which is the completion of my first

year as President. June 2010 witnessed the

Society “Celebrating 60 Years of Service”

with a large attendance by many ‘old’ and

‘new’ supporters. The celebration provided

an opportunity to reminisce and reflect on a

volunteer organization with a remarkable

history. It also opened the door to a future

full of promise and potential to capitalize on

that legacy through revitalization and

adaptation to the changing circumstances

presented by the current criminal justice

environment at the federal level and its

corresponding challenges to the provinces.

This year we again encountered changes to

the Board. We were pleased to welcome

retired Dalhousie University sociology

professor Dr. Don Clairmont. The Board

continues to provide support and ideas for

furthering the aims of the Society in Nova

Scotia. Board meetings have been

consistently well attended despite weather

conditions and geographic distances traveled

by some members. This is a testament to

their commitment and desire to see the John

Howard of Nova Scotia to be successful in

its mission and endeavours.

Staffs in all the offices have also continued

to demonstrate their commitment to our

work, as well as a willingness to ‘rise to’ the

challenges which occurred during the past

year. Some of these challenges include: the

resignation of the Director of the Central

Region Office, Susan Henderson who

assumed a new role within the mental health

field, the retirement of long time Director of

the North Eastern Region Office, Linda

Watters, Director of the Halifax Region

Office, Shannon Bond stepping aside as the

Director of the Halifax Region, in addition

to another move of the Halifax Region

Office to Lower Sackville necessitated by

the planned renovations of the Dartmouth

Credit Union building where we were

located.

Former Caseworker Chris King assumed the

position of Director of the Central Region

Office and has done a terrific job. Not only

was she faced with assuming the

responsibilities of the Director’s position but

also with the pressure of the additional

challenges of being one of two pilot sites for

the Integrated Adult Restorative Justice Pilot

(Adult Restorative Justice) being

implemented by the NS Department of

Justice.

Susan Hughes was appointed as the Director

of the North Eastern office, late in the year,

but she has brought her own insight, positive

“What a difference a year makes!”

2010-2011 Annual Report – “Celebrating 61 Years of Service”

2

Certified

attributes and strong belief in teamwork to

the position.

Executive Director, John Peach again this

year demonstrated excellent judgment and

financial skillfulness in developing and

implementing plans which successfully

addressed the issues presented by these

unforeseen events. This gave staff a well

deserved opportunity in Westville and Truro

to assume the Director positions, and

securing new space at a very reasonable cost

assisted significantly with the Society’s

continued sustainability and growth. John

has an enviable capacity to turn potential

negatives into ‘win win’ results!

Overall, our 61st year has witnessed many

changes and continues to be a solid

organization of which we can all be proud.

It takes the effort of many people such as

staff, Board members, volunteers and

supporters to maintain the Society. I want to

extend a heartfelt thank you to all of you.

Janis

Janis Aitken

President, JHSNS

~~~

Executive Director’s Report

The theme of this year’s Annual General

Meeting is “The Way Forward”. The

picture on the cover page depicts, in my

view, that one can only understand life by

looking back at our past to get a glimpse of

where we might be headed. It is not clear

from looking at this picture whether it is

showing the track ahead or from where we

have just come. To know the answer means

you have to have a destination. Taking the

journey by railroad represents the limitations

imposed by the realities of a not-for-profit

world. The railroad tracks restrict you from

wandering aimlessly, but you still need to

know where you want to go in order to know

if you are headed in the right direction.

Our 61st year probably has seen more

unforeseen change than any other single

year, at least in the past two decades of my

“The farther backward you can look,

the farther forward you can see.

~ Winston Churchill

2010-2011 Annual Report – “Celebrating 61 Years of Service”

3

Certified

association with JHSNS. In the President’s

Report, Janis identified some of the staffing

changes that occurred. In spite of the

challenges, we still managed to stay on track

and moving in the direction the Board has

provided to us.

This past year we faced many challenges,

but more importantly, opportunities. In

September, staff from North East and

Halifax Region offices plus those who have

been involved with the Learning Education

Enhancement Program (LEEP) and Launch

Out (LO) had the opportunity to do some

strategic planning for future programs at a

retreat in Hubbards. This opportunity was

made available to us by a local business

person who provided the facility while

JHSNS picked up the other costs, including

a one day stress management seminar for

those staff members who could attend.

Unfortunately, the separate LEEP and LO

programs did not get underway in October

as we, and our anxious clients, had hoped.

Human Resources and Skills Development

Canada rejected our separate applications

and required that a new single application

with common objectives be submitted.

Negotiations took some time and then, as the

total value of the contract now exceeded

local approval authority, the new application

had to be sent for approval by the Minister’s

Office in Ottawa. In early January we were

able to get underway and, through careful

management by staff, this turned out to be

one of our most successful efforts with 17

out of 20 students successfully completing.

In late October, Susan Henderson advised

that she was leaving our employ for another

opportunity, as referenced in the President’s

Report. Fortunately, this provided an

opportunity for Chris King to take on an

expanded role, as the new Director and for

Cindy Reid to move into the caseworker’s

position.

In November, Linda Waters also advised

that she planned to retire at the end of the

calendar year. As the North East Region had

also started a new HRSDC Skills Link

Development program in January, I spent

one to two days per week in the North East

office until mid-March when Susan Hughes

agreed to take on the role of Director.

In early March, Shannon Bond, the Director

at the Halifax Regional office also decided

that she would like to step aside from that

position but continue with us in another role.

These personnel changes made for a very

busy winter, but also provided a tremendous

opportunity for refocusing our direction and

providing new opportunities for personal

growth and development for many of our

staff.

One of the constants to the success of

JHSNS is the dedicated professionalism of

all of our staff. They are passionate about

what they do and this is reflected in the

services and programs they deliver to our

clients. I am frequently awed and humbled

by their enthusiasm, creativity and the

amount of energy they put into whatever

challenge they face.

Last year’s report introduced you to the staff

of the Halifax office. I thought since we had

had so many staff changes this year that this

year’s report should focus on the many

people who help us achieve our mission and

mandate.

John

John Peach

2010-2011 Annual Report – “Celebrating 61 Years of Service”

4

Certified

Central Region

New Central Office Signage

The Central Region of the John Howard

Society has seen many changes this past

year, especially with office renovations and

staff turnover. In November 2010, Susan

Henderson our former Director accepted a

new position elsewhere, but is continuing

her involvement with the John Howard

Society of Nova Scotia as a volunteer.

Although it was difficult to see a member

of our team leave, I was pleased to be given

the opportunity to accept the position as

Director for the Central Region. Not only

was this an opportunity for professional

growth for me, but it allowed opportunity

for advancements for our other staff

members.

As our growth and re-organization

continues, we are thankful to John Peach

for his leadership and ongoing support to

the staff during this past year. Our office

renovations have been completed, security

systems have been installed, safety devices

are in place and we even have new signage

as displayed above. Staff like the final

results and it feels more comfortable to be

working in a safer workplace environment.

The professional decor of our office

space is a result of the hard work of

Cindy Reid, our Caseworker, who added

the final touches including the painting,

decorating and much more.

Our restorative justice referrals continue

to increase. For 2010 we received a total

of 113 files. In late February, we also

received the authorization from Justice

Minister Ross Landry to begin accepting

referrals for the Integrated Adult

Restorative Justice Pilot Project.

We continue to accept student

placements from several institutions.

We see this as a great opportunity to

expose new members of society to

restorative justice initiatives.

In closing, I would like to thank the

Board of Directors, stakeholders and

volunteers for their ongoing support this

past year. At the same time, I would like

to welcome Wanda Dickie, our new

Administrative Assistant, to the John

Howard team.

Christina King Christina King - Director

2010-2011 Annual Report – “Celebrating 61 Years of Service”

5

Certified

For me the challenge will be to keep this

short and sweet as I have a tendency to

ramble, as I have often been told by my

Director, in the sweetest way of course. In the spring of 2007 I made the wisest

decision thus far in my life, I left my job of

20 years and enrolled in the A Institute of

Human Services and Education Program@, a

two year youth worker program at NSCC.

During my first year I was accepted here at

JHSNS to do my eight week practicum. At

that time I had no knowledge of what a life

changing adventure this would lead me

into. After the eight week practicum was

over, my fellow student and I were asked to

stay on as part-time staff for the summer.

A week before I was due to return to school

for my second year of education, I was

given the opportunity to be hired on as the

full time administrative/caseworker, I

accepted that offer and have never looked

back. I realize I have not been with the

Society for that long a time, however, this

September it will be three years as a full

time staff member. These years have been

ever changing and a constant learning

process. I was recently given the

opportunity to move up to the Caseworker

position when Susan Henderson left, a

person whom I thank for being such a

wonderful teacher, support person, and

friend. She taught me a great deal. Chris

and I are like sweet and sour, when we

work together we form a unique

combination. Chris has been my teacher,

my mentor, and a true friend. She has gone

above and beyond to help me during such a

transitional period for us all. We are truly

happy to have found that third piece of the

puzzle, Wanda Dickie. Since joining our

team she has helped to ease the burden of

running the office short handed and

learning new jobs at the same time.

I cannot imagine doing any other job. I love

coming to work each day, always facing a

new challenge. It is hard not to have your

heartstrings pulled now and then by our

youth. Who really can say they love their

job this much?! Thank you to John Peach

for believing in me, and giving me this

opportunity to be able to work at a job I

love.

Cindy Cindy Reid

Central Region’s Caseworker

~ Cindy Reid

2010-2011 Annual Report – “Celebrating 61 Years of Service”

6

Certified

I am a new employee with The John

Howard Society, Central Region. I

completed a course in Addictions

Counselling at Success College and came to

do my work term in the Truro office under

the watchful eyes of Chris King and Cindy

Reid.

In March of 2011 I accepted a position as

an Administrative Caseworker. Since then

I have enjoyed learning the RJIS database,

attending forums, CSO Placement training,

case management training, and volunteer

training. I have been assigned many new

tasks and work with a very supportive team.

I have made two public presentations on

The John Howard Society and some of the

programs that we run. One was done at

Success College and the other I did at South

Colchester Academy with grade 9 students.

I have attended a couple of training courses

at the Westville office and got to meet new

co-workers there.

In my spare time I am an avid Scouter. I

am the Group Chair for the 1st Lantz

Scouting Group, Tri County Area Registrar,

and Golden Apple Co-ordinator for Tri

County. I love working with youth and

enjoy being outdoors. I also volunteer with

MADD Canada. In doing this, it has given

me an opportunity to make acquaintances

with RCMP Bible Hill and Truro Police. It

allows me to talk about my career with The

John Howard Society (Restorative Justice)

and to promote our organization while I’m

working with these officers. I also sit on a

Committee for the John Howard Society

called “Colchester Partners”. This

organization consists of a group of

colleagues striving to enhance opportunities

for youth. It is a good opportunity to

realize all of the different programs

available for youth in our local community.

Thanks for the opportunity to join your

organization. I truly am enjoying myself.

Wanda Dickie

Wanda Dickie

Central Region’s

Administrative/Caseworker

~ Wanda Dickie

2010-2011 Annual Report – “Celebrating 61 Years of Service”

7

Certified

For the past two summers I have been

volunteering with The John Howard

Society in Truro, N.S.. During this time, I

have learned a vast array of skills and

techniques to best work with young

offenders. Last summer, I had the

opportunity to sit in on several forums and

workshops lead by the caseworkers. These

sessions allowed me to grasp an idea of the

values and objectives of restorative justice

within my community. Due to my previous

training, this summer I am able to have a

much more involved role in the meetings.

The John Howard Society is an

extraordinary organization with very

dedicated and effective staff. From them, I

have learned how to best connect with the

clients and express my thoughts more

effectively. I have gained new perspectives

on crime, why it occurs, and ways to

prevent it from happening again. I am a

university student entering my fourth year,

and this organization has allowed me to

relate what I am learning in school with

actual situations and people. After I

graduate, I have plans to further my

education and become a social worker. The

John Howard Society has inspired me to

explore all the possibilities. I hope to

someday work with an organization such as

this to help promote a more effective way

of serving justice.

Brianna Crowe

Brianna Crowe

Central Region Volunteer

~ Brianna Crowe

2010-2011 Annual Report – “Celebrating 61 Years of Service”

8

Certified

North Eastern Region

I have been working with the John

Howard Society Restorative Justice

Program since the Fall of 2000 and I

have worked in many capacities

throughout the years. My past focus has

been in the administrative field, as the

Community Service Order Coordinator,

as a Restorative Justice Caseworker.

Since March of 2011, I have now taken

on the role of the Director of JHSNS –

North Eastern Region. In my new role I

provide: guidance to staff, public

education, and promote the Restorative

Justice Program. I also do casework, as

it is a team effort, and I feel it is

important for me to stay directly

connected to the Restorative Justice

Program.

Some say that they follow their passion,

but in my case I feel that my passion has

found me. I truly believe in the

restorative justice process and have seen

the enormous benefits for all; the

offender, the victim, and the community.

Restorative Justice has tremendous

growth potential in our community and

can be used in many ways to create

healing. Restorative Justice is a way of

‘living restoratively’ by being able to

understand that our words and actions

affect others.

Thank you to all of the board members

and staff who have been such a great

support to me over the many years.

Susan Hughes

Susan Hughes

“Restorative Justice is a way of

living restoratively”

2010-2011 Annual Report – “Celebrating 61 Years of Service”

9

Certified

I work with youth who have been

involved with the law and have been

referred to the Restorative Justice

Program. I get to know a youth on a

professional basis with intent to form a

helping relationship. I discuss with the

youth, their supporters, and victims what

needs or concerns they may have. Youth

are able to discuss the crime that they

have committed, hear how others have

been impacted, and also discuss what

needs to be done to repair the harm. It is

crucial as a caseworker to prepare the

file as much as possible prior to the

conference to ensure that all parties’

opinions have been heard and taken into

consideration to form a satisfactory

outcome.

My job as a caseworker at The John

Howard Society Restorative Justice has

been a great learning experience. I love

working with young people, letting them

know the resources or opportunities that

are available in their communities. I

provide an employability workshop to

help them with various tasks such as

resume/cover letter writing, goal setting,

skills development; different things that

will help them prepare and progress with

their future. I have found that I enjoy

that not one day is ever the same, each

individual who comes through

Restorative Justice is different, and

therefore each case that I work on is very

unique in its own way. I enjoy how

“hands on” a caseworkers position is.

You can read literature and think you

have a good grasp on the information

that you are taking in, but to actually put

that knowledge into action is a

completely different learning experience,

one that will stay with me and be built

on for the rest of my career.

Katelyn Bray Katelyn Bray

North Eastern Region’s

Caseworker ~ Katelyn Bray

2010-2011 Annual Report – “Celebrating 61 Years of Service”

10

Certified

I first became involved as the Program

Facilitator for several of the Launch Out

Programs offered at The John Howard

Society’s North Eastern office,

whenever I was available, as I also was

attending university out of province.

After the last Launch Out program, I was

offered an interim position as the

Administrative/Caseworker, until

September 2011. Part of my role is to

supervise Community Service Orders for

young offenders. These Orders, imposed

by a Judge as part of a sentence or

probation order give youth the

opportunity to contribute to their

community. It also enables them to gain

some perspective on the work of non-

profit organizations which provide

fundamental services to the people and

neighbourhoods in which they live. Our

clients are placed exclusively with non-

profit community-based organizations

that serve the community at large and

which are willing to offer young people

a chance to move forward in a positive

direction.

I also provide administrative support to

the office and the Restorative Justice

cases we handle. I enjoy the team-

oriented atmosphere of the office where

my input in cases is not only welcomed,

but often sought out. One of the key

components of Restorative Justice is to

take into consideration all sides and

points of view in any particular case, to

be able to contribute an idea or opinion,

and know that it is always considered

and always respected demonstrates every

day that we truly believe in the values

and ideals we are working to uphold.

Rob MacDonald

Rob MacDonald

North Eastern Region’s

Administrative/Caseworker

~ Rob MacDonald

2010-2011 Annual Report – “Celebrating 61 Years of Service”

11

Certified

Halifax Region

For most of 2010-2011, Shannon Bond was

the Halifax Director, but in early March

2011 she decided that she would relinquish

this position. Shannon had spent a great

deal of her time and effort trying many

innovative approaches for new

programming and funding. This type of

activity can be exhausting and frustrating as

funders are not typically waiting for an

NGO, like JHSNS, to come calling. All of

the ideas that Shannon put forward were

well supported with research and were met

with great enthusiasm by our funding

partners. They addressed serious problems

in our community and for our clients, but in

the current economic environment our

funding partners determined that they were

not able to start new initiatives. Good ideas

are still good ideas and success cannot be

measured solely on the basis of obtaining

immediate funding. Seeds have been

planted and, hopefully over time, these

ideas will continue to grow.

In October, Halifax Region was successful

in winning a competitive bid for a new

contract to provide the Community

Maintenance Program (CMP) for

Correctional Services Canada (CSC). This

program is designed as a follow up to all

CSC core national institutional programs.

With a relapse prevention component, it

addresses criminogenic risk factors and all

types of offending (general violence,

substance abuse, crime for gain and family

violence), excluding those from Sex

Offender Programs. Further information

may be found on our website at

http://www.ns.johnhoward.ca/programs/hali

fax/.

Shannon Bond was sent on two weeks of

concentrated training by CSC for

accreditation to deliver this program and

Shannon continues in this capacity with

JHS since stepping down as the Region’s

Director. We are very pleased to have

Shannon as our CMP facilitator.

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending”

~Maria Robinson

“…and then there were two”

2010-2011 Annual Report – “Celebrating 61 Years of Service”

12

Certified

In continuing with our approach of

introducing those who keep JHSNS

churning, even though we introduced the

Halifax staff last year, I thought I would

provide an abbreviated version again in this

year’s Annual Report.

Chris Underhill Community Caseworker/Coordinator

Chris, graduated from NSCC's Human

Services and Corrections Program in 2007.

He started as a volunteer in 2005, but did

not start as the Community Caseworker /

Coordinator until 2008. Primarily, Chris

conducts the interviews and writes the

Community Assessments under the CA/PS

Contract with Correctional Services

Canada. He also responds to special

requests and the Aftercare Program.

Claudette Colley Administrative Assistant/Caseworker

Claudette has been with The John Howard

Society of Nova Scotia for almost three

years, starting in 2007 as the Administrative

Assistant/Bookkeeper.

Claudette fills many roles, which include

primary responsibility for the Community

Workplace Program (CWP). Claudette was

also the Coordinator for the Learning

Enhancement and Employment Program

(LEEP) that was offered from January –

March of this year. Claudette is a great

asset to all of the programs at JHSNS and

she has tremendous empathy for our clients.

In addition, Claudette continues her role in

an administrative capacity, including

payroll services, banking, and day-to-day

operations of the office. Her friendly

demeanour and positive attitude are

contagious and she is always willing to take

on extra duties and assist in special projects

when requested.

She is active in her community and is

involved in several projects to obtain

funding for improving the development and

recreation for youth in her neighbourhood.

In her spare time, Claudette operates a

successful decorating business, providing

decor for proms, weddings, and other social

events. Claudette is happily married, is the

proud mother of three sons and a daughter,

and recently became a grandmother for the

third time of a beautiful baby girl.

John

John Peach, Executive Director