Government of Canada supports healthy reintegration in Abbotsford

From: Public Safety Canada

News release

January 23, 2019 
Abbotsford, British Columbia                
Public Safety Canada

The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring the safety of Canadians, and making opportunities available to those in need. Today, on behalf of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Jati Sidhu, Member of Parliament for Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, announced $1.23 million in federal funding to the M2W2 Association - Restorative Christian Ministries to assist newly released offenders with the transition from prison to living in their communities.

The No One Leaves Alone (NOLA) Reintegration Project helps offenders without a support system successfully reintegrate into society through various strategies, such as: finding suitable housing and stable employment; getting professional help for addictions or mental illnesses; as well as accessing education and skills training. Offering offenders with a healthy, consistent circle of support will assist them in a safe, crime-free reintegration.

The project, which began its work in 2018 and is supported by volunteers, is expected to help 35 to 40 men and women, who will be living in the Fraser Valley area upon release.

Quotes

“The Government of Canada is deeply committed to implementing evidence-based policies that are proven to prevent crime and victimization, and keep our communities and citizens safe. We know that community-led programs like the NOLA Reintegration project reduce crime and show that communities are best protected by a more responsive system that effectively rehabilitates and safely reintegrates offenders.”

–       Jati Sidhu, Member of Parliament for Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon

“No One Leaves Alone (NOLA) is a social reintegration project, partially funded by Public Safety Canada, which offers intense support for individuals who have been released from prison but face significant barriers such as mental health issues, substance abuse or addiction, disability or learning disorders, lack of healthy family support and relationships, or who suffer extensive trauma history. A circle of trained volunteers, along with the case manager, work with the individual for up to 18 months, helping to ensure the individual has a positive re-entry into the community.”

–       Raymond Robyn, Executive Director, M2W2 Association – Restorative Christian Ministries

Quick facts

  • This project was funded under the Crime Prevention Action Fund (CPAF), which supports evidence-based projects that explore ways to minimize known risk factors associated with crime among vulnerable groups of the population.

  • From April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019, the Government of Canada is supporting 59 CPAF projects across Canada.

  • Up to $35.4 million has been committed in 2018-2019 to support CPAF in the implementation and evaluation of crime prevention programs.

  • This project is an adaptation of the Circles of Support and Accountability model, a Canadian-made, community-based program recognized internationally for its effectiveness at lowering rates of reoffending and preventing victimization.

Associated links

Contacts

Scott Bardsley
Senior Advisor for Communications
Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
613-998-5681
scott.bardsley@canada.ca

Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657
ps.mediarelations-relationsaveclesmedias.sp@canada.ca

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