Saskatoon Services
- • Institutional Liaison Program
- • Room and Board Program
- • Str8 Up Program
- • Independent Supported Living Program
- • Fine Option Program
- • Mediation
- • Community Service Order Program
- • Stop-Lift
- • Chill-Out Program
- • Jay's Place
- • Cedar House
- • Pine House
- • Basswood House
- • Community Support Worker Program
Institutional / Community Liaison Program
This program provides service and support to male inmates in the Correctional Center as they are preparing to be released. Community links and education are an integral part in order to achieve successful reintegration. Our Liaison Officer works to maintain strong links between the inmate and the community, families, healthy friends, and employers. Regular visits are made to the Correctional Centre to provide counselling, support, and links to other support agencies. Advocating with various provincial and federal government departments (i.e. Employment and Income Assistance).
Room and Board Program
The Room & Board program is to provide a safe and secure home for youth ages 17-21. The goal is to assist youth with transitioning into independence with confidence and the skills needed to live free of social assistance. With the support of the R&B Community Worker and Outreach Workers the youth gain skills necessary to live positive healthy lifestyles.
Program Objectives:
- To build healthy relationships between the R&B Families and the youth participating in the R&B Program.
- To provide support and guidance for the R&B Families and the youth.
- To provide training and educational opportunities for the families to participate in order to enhance their skills and abilities.
- To participate in teaching the skills necessary to move into independence, such as money management, employment, daily living skills, etc.
- Connecting and providing access to other community agencies for additional supports for the family and the youth.
Who is eligible for the program...
Youth who are in care of the Ministry of Social Services and are between the ages of 17-21. There are 28 spaces available, with a maximum of 4 individuals in one home.
There are 2 basic criteria for being in the R&B Program.
First, the program is voluntary, so the youth have to want to be part of the program and make changes in their life.
Second, they have to be either attending school or working or both. Also the youth must be provided with a bedroom of their own and three meals a day.
Str8 Up Program
Is a program for people who want to exit the gang life. There is no age limit but participants are generally over 18 years of age. There are 3 visions or goals: to be responsible citizens, to be a faithful partner, and to be loving parents (right now all participants are parents). There are 5 conditions each participant has to be willing to adhere to: drop colors, deal with their addiction, be honest( drop attitude and manipulative ways). be humble, and to be willing to give the program a chance and accept support and partake for 4 years. Activities involved are: visit guys in the correctional and hold meetings there; present in schools, reserves, addiction centers, and basically anywhere that expresses need. The group meets once a week. They learn about healthy lifestyles and positively contributing to and partaking in community, they do recreational activities and have barbecues. The program also offers support in areas such as looking for housing, employment, and general community errands.
Independent Supported Living Program
This program assists youths looking to living independently; Workers assist youth with finding housing and act as a liaison between employers, landlords, and teachers on the youth’s behalf. Workers also help youths budget and overcome day to day problems.
Fine Option Program
This program offers an alternative to the payment of fines by providing an individual the option of working a fine off through volunteer service at another not-for-profit community bases organization.
Mediation
Mediation is a program offered by the John Howard Society and is contracted in conjunction with Canada's Department of Community Corrects and Public Safety to provide extrajudicial measures programs such as mediation. This program requires that youth take responsibility for their actions by meeting with victims of their offence. Ideally, mediation takes into account the circumstances of both youth and victim, by allowing both parties to have a voice in the process and outcome of the mediation.
Community Service Order Program
Once convicted of an offence a Youth Court Judge may order community service work. The society arranges suitable work placements and monitors the youth's progress as well as reports their progress back to Corrections and Public Safety.
Stop Lift
StopLift is a 3-part group education program offered as an alternative to court for youth who have committed an act of shoplifting. Youth are engaged discussion that examines the underlying reasons to why people shoplift and develop strategies to cope with temptation and peer pressure to shoplift, in hopes of preventing re-offending. On completion of this course criminal charges are withdrawn by court.
Chill-Out Program
This classroom-based service engages youth charged with common assault against other youth to take responsibility for their actions and gain a better understanding of the impact of their actions, in hope of prevent further occurrences.
Jay's Place
Jay's Place provides housing for male youth aged 16-21. A Mentor lives in this home with the youth, providing them with a role model. Youth that live in the house are in Care of the Minister and must be attending school or working. Youth live at Pine House by choice as they wish to lead a life away from drugs, alcohol, gangs, violence and crime.
Cedar House
Cedar House is staffed 24 hours, which does not have a Mentor. It provides a home to male youth in care of the ministry, ages 12-16. Youth live at Cedar House by choice as they wish to lead a life away from drugs, alcohol, gangs, violence and crime.
Pine House
Pine House provides housing for male youth aged 16-21. A Mentor lives in this home with the youth, providing them with a role model. Youth that live in the house are in Care of the Minister and must be attending school or working. Youth live at Pine House by choice as they wish to lead a life away from drugs, alcohol, gangs, violence and crime.
Basswood House
Basswood House is staffed 24 hours, which does not have a Mentor. It provides a home to male youth in care of the ministry, ages 12-16. Youth live at Basswood House by choice as they wish to lead a life away from drugs, alcohol, gangs, violence and crime.
Community Support Worker Program
This program provides support for difficult to serve youth between the ages of 16-21. Services include: education, employment, addictions, crisis intervention, counselling, housing, advocacy, mentorship, transportation, recreation. Moreover, support workers ensure that medical and mental heath needs are being met.