Faces of CSC: Roberte Lodimus

May 30, 2025

I was dealing, not with mental illness, but mental disappointments, so it was sort of like therapy for me to help others. You know, sometimes they say, what you put to practice will stay in your mind longer.

For the past two years, Roberte Lodimus has visited Correctional Service Canada (CSC) institutions in Quebec and provided group therapy to Black offenders and members of various ethnocultural communities. CSC supports many initiatives in its institutions and community offices that facilitate opportunities for offenders to build connections with members of the community, which is an important part of its mandate to support rehabilitation. For offenders to have a positive space to share their experiences with each other, someone like Roberte is key to rehabilitation and helps to humanize the environment. In speaking with other professionals, Roberte recognized the necessity for this therapeutic approach within correctional institutions, which led to her starting to work with offenders in 2023.

In speaking with other professionals, Roberte recognized the necessity for this therapeutic approach within correctional institutions, which led to her starting to work with offenders in 2023.

Roberte says individuals feel there is less judgement and more understanding when they speak with her because they can relate to one another’s experiences. She is open about sharing her own personal experiences, which helps those she works with feel seen and understood.

“You make them feel human,” she says.

During the sessions, Roberte covers many aspects, from trauma, to drug abuse, relationships and more, all in an effort to help participants connect with themselves and others. Participants also have the option to request individual follow-up sessions by phone afterwards.

Roberte emphasizes that it is not just her work; Friends2go, the non-profit mental health awareness organization she founded, and the team advocate for social reintegration and provide ongoing support after the release of offenders.

“The sessions are about self esteem, which is the foundation of everything,” she says.

Roberte is also writing a book about her work and experiences: La route vers le bien-être intérieur.

Roberte and the Friends2go team listen to participants and work to provide them with information, tools and support guides tailored to their needs.

Roberte also integrates her background in meditation to help people open up. She practises Ho’oponopono, a Hawaiian mediation technique, and incorporates this into her sessions.

“It’s very effective,” she says. “You’re releasing negativity to invite positivity within yourself, and it really helps them a lot.”

The groups in the sessions can be quite large; Roberte recalls conducting sessions with 20 to 30 participants. She mentions the sessions can be quite emotional, and it’s not unusual for participants to cry.

“You’re at ease with yourself, there’s no judgement.”

Roberte says this is often the first time the individuals she works with feel they are truly being listened to and understood in a judgement-free space.

“These are people who have made mistakes, yes,” she says. “But if they have at least been listened to, if they have received a minimum of attention and love… they just need to be heard.”

While she has seen significant progress among participants since she began visiting institutions, Roberte believes more support needs to be available to help maintain this positive change between her visits. A comprehensive understanding by all staff of the unique healing needs of each individual would be incredibly beneficial, Roberte asserts.

“There are significant needs in society,” she says. “And these individuals, there is a way to save them.”