CFCR COMMUNITY CONNECT – March 2025
Welcome to CFCR Community Connect – where we help to connect you with local community organizations in Saskatoon.
John Howard Society of Saskatchewan is the Community Connect feature for the month of March 2025!
The John Howard Society of Saskatchewan (JHSS) is a well-established non-profit provincial organization that provides effective, just, and humane services in response to the causes and consequences of crime and assists individuals who are at risk or are involved in the criminal justice process.
In 2023, JHSS celebrated their 65-year anniversary of providing support and services to youth and adults. JHSS has offices in Saskatoon, Prince Albert, Moose Jaw and Regina.
What types of programs or activities do you offer?
JHSS is a provincial organization with offices in Saskatoon, Prince Albert, Moose Jaw, and Regina. Our services are meant to provide prevention, intervention, support services, and advocacy to adults and youth involved in or at risk of involvement with the criminal justice system.
JHSS services offered in Saskatoon include the following programs:
- Record Suspension Services: The Record Suspension Program supports eligible recipients with record suspension (i.e. pardon) application support services. The project targets anyone who is eligible to receive a record suspension; more specifically to include Indigenous and other marginalized communities in Saskatchewan.
- Fine Option & Community Service Orders: The Fine Option Program provides an alternative to paying out of pocket for certain fines. If the fine qualifies, JHSS arranges for volunteer work placements with our community partners. This program allows the fine to be worked off through volunteer labor. Visit ca for more information and to register for the program.
- Adults Reintegrating in Community: This program is designed to increase service provisions to adult male offenders reintegrating into the community. The program assists in reducing recidivism rates of offenders referred to us and increases community safety while they transition back into their community. A client-centred case plan is developed prior to the release of program participants. This plan will also include the clients recognized needs and wants within their transitioning.
- Housing Support Program: JHSS assists males (18+) involved with the justice system to obtain transitional and long-term housing and support through our Reintegration Housing Program in Saskatoon. Our objective is to house and support individuals involved with the justice system and reintegrating upon release from prison. Caseworkers provide support to program participants by working to reduce their barriers to accessing community support and connection. The goal is to reduce recidivism and their risk of returning to homelessness. Residents are provided with access to health and cultural supports, as well as various recreational activities to encourage connection to the community. Caseworkers offer support in the area of life-skills as they work towards independence and remaining housed long-term.
- Youth Housing & Supported Independent Living (SIL): JHSS provides youth between the ages of 13-21 with age-appropriate group housing and caseworker support as they move towards future independence and stability. In Saskatoon, JHSS operates 3 youth homes and 1 emergency youth shelter. Our SIL program also operates Sage Suites, a new apartment complex to house up to 8 youth (17+) aging out of MSS-care. All referrals in this program come through (MSS). Youth come to the program with a higher level of commitment to case planning, goal setting, life skills development and long-term future planning. Youth receive day-to day support from a staff member guiding them in their transition to independence outside of care. This includes supporting the youth as they navigate the education system, developing employment skills, assistance in securing meaningful employment, evolving their life skills, such as decision-making, budgeting, cooking, relationships and personal development.
Are there specific demographics of communities you primarily serve?
JHSS services are open to all individuals residing in Saskatchewan, however each program has its own eligibility criteria for participants. The primary demographics accessing our services include the following:
- Youth: JHSS has 3 youth homes, 1 emergency receiving shelter, and a Supported Independent Living Program to help youth transition to independence after they age out of MSS.
- Men: Traditionally, JHSS mandate was to provide supports primarily to male individuals while our community partner, Elizabeth Fry Society of Saskatchewan (EFSS), focused on services to women. While men still make up much of our client base, several JHSS programs, such as our Record Suspension Services, Fine Option & Community Service Order and Outreach Services, are open to everyone.
- Indigenous people: JHSS has a high percentage of Indigenous people accessing our support programs due to the over-representation they have within Saskatchewan’s justice and social services systems. We recognize that it is necessary for us to ensure JHSS caseworkers can provide culturally appropriate supports to Indigenous people in our programs. JHSS is committed to providing this expertise through contracts and working relationships with Indigenous service providers, Elders and Knowledge Keepers.
How have you seen your organization’s work make a difference? Can you share any success stories or provide examples of positive outcomes directly impacted by your organization?
JHSS gets to help support many people when they need it the most. We regularly see our clients succeed. Weather that is a youth from one of our homes going on to post secondary education or someone we support as they exit custody finding housing and a stable job. The truth is that people want to better themselves and sometimes a little bit of help at the right time can go a long way.
Do you collaborate with other non-profits, agencies, to provide programs or resources? How do these collaborations enhance the effectiveness of your programs?
JHSS works closely with many local partners in the non-profit and health sector to ensure we provide client-centered supports to those in our programs. Caseworkers provide supports they can within the program and refer them to additional wrap-around supports. The local business community in Saskatoon has also stepped forward and been generous when called upon to provide financial donations and resources to help us support the individuals in our programs. Our community partner relationships are a crucial part of each program offered at JHSS.
We also rely on partnerships with many local non-profit and community service agencies who need volunteers to sustain their operations. Our Fine Option & Community Service Order (CSO) program provides volunteer opportunities for people who receive certain fines to volunteer and give back to their community in lieu of paying for their fine. The Fine Option & CSO program wouldn’t be possible without us having volunteer placement agencies to accept our clients as volunteers. This program connects volunteers with community service agencies, which also helps our partners be able to offer the important support services under their purview.
What are any challenges or obstacles your organization has faced? How were they overcome?
We have witnessed an increase to the level of need people have across Saskatchewan for our services while working with limited resources. JHSS can provide these supports due to generosity and dedication from our various program funders, donors, and sponsors. We are so grateful for each one! If you would like to support the work of JHSS through a financial donation, please visit the following link: https://sk.johnhoward.ca/donate/
Do you have a long-term vision or dream for your organization?
Our vision is for all communities across Saskatchewan to have effective, just and humane practices in place that support the creation of positive social outcomes. JHSS celebrated its 65th birthday this past summer, and we hope this is just the beginning of our next 65.
How can the community help your organization reach its goals?
JHSS is always grateful to our community donors and sponsors that make our work possible! Thank you to the wonderful people of Saskatoon for being great neighbours to JHSS and supporting our work. We hope you’ll join us in working towards our vision of creating effective, just and humane practices in our community.
If you would like to support our programs in Saskatoon, here’s how you can help:
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- Financial Support: Please click and donate through the following link to support JHSS programs. https://sk.johnhoward.ca/donate/
- Donation Support: JHSS programs are often searching for donations of household items, warm winter clothing, and general hygiene products to support individuals in our programs. Reach out to us through the contact page on our website or on one of our various social media channels.
What volunteer opportunities are there within your organization? How can individuals or groups get involved and support your organization through volunteering?
Every year we connect 1000’s of people with volunteer opportunities through our Fine Options Program. For more information, please visit www.fineoptions.ca
What is something that you wish more people knew about your organization?
JHSS is a great place to build a career. We offer a unionized environment, with great benefits and great coworkers. To start your career with JHSS please visit: https://sk.johnhoward.ca/careers/
