Spotlight on Community Partners
Agencies Focused on Community Justice
Tags: Vol. 1, Issue 3, March 2021
The WIL Centre is excited to highlight a few justice-focused organizations in this edition that primarily support students in the Bachelor of Social Science, Criminal Justice degree and the Community and Justice Services diploma. These organizations are committed to providing students with great Work-Integrated Learning opportunities and have found ways to continue supporting students throughout this past year.
The John Howard Society
The John Howard Society - Bail & Supervision Program of Peel-Halton-Dufferin (JHSPHD) traditionally operates from office and court room settings. It provides an alternative to a remand in custody for individuals seeking bail releases with community-based justice programs for both adults and youth. This program works to educate, empower, and support the individual’s ability to make the necessary changes to reduce recidivism (convicted criminals to reoffend).
Due to COVID-19, this program has managed to shift their work online, continuing to support community members and student opportunities virtually. JHSPHD is working closely with justice system partners to operate virtual courts, including the bail and diversion programs. They have also shifted to an entirely web-based phone and case management system to ensure quality of service in a virtual world. Clients are offered supervision, groups, and individual counselling by video or telephone and staff work with clients to find adequate technology.
Fingerprints, Identifications and Pardons Services Inc (F.I.P.S.)
Fingerprints, Identifications and Pardons Services (F.I.P.S.) is a Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) accredited agency since 2003, and family operated by two former Police Officers. F.I.P.S. has two locations in the greater Toronto area and includes services such as electronic (digital) fingerprinting, traditional ink-and-roll fingerprinting, conversion from ink prints to electronic format as well as Canadian Police Information Checks (C.P.I.C.).
Students that work with F.I.P.S. have the valuable experience of learning how to fingerprint clients who require criminal record checks for all levels of government and private companies.
Salvation Army: Correctional and Justice Services
The Salvation Army Correctional and Justice Services provides a broad range of services to individuals affected by the justice system. Community Residential Facilities (CRF) delivers programs to men serving federal sentences to support reintegration back into the community. Staff provide counselling, employment support, and housing assistance, while monitoring conditions determined by the Parole Board of Canada. CRFs work closely with Correctional Services of Canada and Toronto Police Services to support public safety.
Humber students have an opportunity to engage in WIL at the three CRF’s located in Toronto: Archibald Centre, Bunton Lodge, and Harbour Light. Students working with Salvation Army learn from the Support Workers, Caseworkers, and Community Resource Coordinators to support clients, starting with simpler tasks and transitioning to case management.