Features
AGM Presentation October, 17, 2011
Posted on December 20, 2011
Thank you to all the staff, Board of Directors, clients and partners of St. Leonard’s Community Services, London & Region.
This could certainly be called the ‘Year of Change’ for the agency.
However, one thing has not changed ~ the hard work and dedication by our staff team and volunteers to serve in our community has driven our vision and mission throughout the year.
We promote positive change…….
Overview of Current Programs
- Restorative Justice • Family Group Conferencing
- School-Based Services • Peer Power
- Youth (incl. Transitional Aged Youth) Community Services • Youth Attendance Centre
- Adult Criminal Justice • Community Service Orders
- Adult Residential Services • Cody Centre (for male federal offenders)
• Peace Making Circles
• Justice Committees
• Youth and Community Outreach Program (YCOP)
• UTurn
• Intensive Reintegration Service
• Choices, Time to Think and Get a Grip
• Supported Independent Living Program (SIL)
• Youth Extra Judicial Sanctions and Conferencing
• Direct Accountability Program
• Intermittent Community Work Program
• Gallagher House ( for male federal, provincial and mental health offenders)
• Maison Louise Arbour (for female federal, provincial and mental health offenders)
• Reintegration Program
• London Reporting Centre
St. Leonard’s serves approximately 5,300 clients last fiscal, consisting of the following:
- Restorative Justice - 483
- School-Based Programs - 2783
- Youth (incl. Transitional Aged) Community Services - 675
- Adult Criminal Justice - 1062
- Adult Residential Services – 273
Highlights of the Year October 2010-11
Organizational Development
- Implementation of a solid HR process
- Reorganization of Org Chart that promotes strength-based leadership and staffing
- Increased focus on staff safety
- Over $5000K spent on professional development and staff training
- Database is in development for increased safety and continuity of care for our clients
Funding and Financial Expenditures
- Capital funding for lighting and security awarded
- Secured TVDSB to fund school-based program for one year
- Over $60K spend on Restoration work in the 3 residential buildings
- Several very kind donations from our community
- With retirement of Justice Livingstone we received a large donation for programming
- Jonathon Bancroft – Snell made a donation to the Youth Programs after a recent community event
- Betty Gallagher passed away and the donations ~ in lieu of flowers were dedicated to Gallagher House
- United Way chose SLCS-MLA for New Beginnings Program
ProgramDevelopment
- Increased mental health profile within the community and funders
- Program Development for the SIL program
- 60 credits given out in Attendance Centre to 40 youth
- Increased health focus in Attendance Centre with introduction of Yoga to the programming
- Removal of Urban Meadow
Looking Ahead:
- Significant changes in the Board Representation
- Thank Sandy for his years of service and dedication to the financial operations of the agency
- Thank Susan for her leadership through the changes that occurred in the agency over the past year - As in any organization, SLCS will face internal and external challenges. Despite these challenges, there is unwavering confidence that the strong staff team at SLCS will work together and be guided by continuing to provide a great service to our clients.
In closing, I have put a new quote up on my wall in my office behind my desk which speaks to the upcoming challenges and the year ahead.....
Every journey of a thousand miles, begins with a single step...
Heather Callender, Executive Director
2011 Janet McEwen Award goes to Daniel Murphy
Posted on November 9, 2011
The Janet McEwen Award for the Advancement of the Mission and Vision of the St. Leonard’s Community Services – London and Region is awarded to a staff member, volunteer and/or Board member who has made a contribution in three areas, namely through significant promotion of positive change in all persons, significant assistance to a St. Leonard’s Community Services – London & Region client to reach his or her potential, and/or through a significant contribution to the promotion of a safer community.
Over the years, Dan has been awarded with many accolades:
1. Frank Brennan Award – for work in Juvenile Justice field
2. Lamp of Learning Award – provincial recognition for contribution to Public Education in the Province of Ontario
3. Ontario Council for Exceptional Children – provincial and local award for work done with children with special needs
4. Optimist Club – local award for work in Justice field
Congratulations Dan!
Thank you and Enjoy your Retirement - The Honourable Madam Justice Deborah Livingstone
Posted on June 16, 2011
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
I have not had the pleasure to work with Your Honour for a great length of time, however, my understanding is that the quote would sum up some of the work you have done…the path you have lead that is unique and trail that you leave for us to continue on….
As I made my way to London and in particular SLCS - I began to unfold the multi-levels of the criminal justice and mental health world – it became apparent that there was several individuals that dared to think, act and believe differently. These individuals all held the torch in making “thing’s” happen for individuals that are within our criminal justice system but, that may be better serviced in a different setting.
With little knowledge of who Your Honour was I was quickly informed – you were one that is more tolerant of differences, believes in resiliency and wishes success when others believe one may fail. This attitude and passion lead to many possibilities and many opportunities for many individuals that passed through your courtroom. Being from the Mental Health world and knowing very little about the Corrections side of things, I quickly realized the privilege it was to work for SLCS work alongside Your Honour - Deb Livingstone - one who believe in promoting positive change.
With the Adult therapeutic court, the Youth therapeutic court, and all the other initiatives that Your Honour has supported over the years, I believe that London is a privileged community. I know that there are many challenges when one thinks of working and living ‘outside the box’ but, what an amazing gift to bring to a community.
SLCS is deeply honoured and I am personally so pleased to be able to accept and use this money to enrich the lives of the residents and clients that we work with. We will be using the donation from your honour to purchase mental health programming materials in the coming year specifically at Gallagher and MLA.
In order to continue to remember and treasure the work that you have accomplished and has gone into ATC, YTC – the cross section of justice and the mental health world - we will be planting a Japanese maple in the gardens at the front of our buildings at each of our sites.
When I began to research what I was going to say today I googled what the Japanese Maple symbolized in case there was some nugget that I could use to explain our thoughts of choosing this tree for more than just aesthetics -- and I realized it this was a great choice in foliage.
The Japanese Maple symbolizes:
- grace
- elegance and a sense of tastefulness
- “ welcomes Autumn as a friend”
- peace and serenity
- balance, promise and practicality
I was reflecting on Your Honour and all that I had heard at your retirement party – all the ‘friends’ that were there, the grace and promise you shared with the individuals in your courtroom and the peace and balance that appears in your dedication to make the world a better place – we will plant these trees with the hope that they will continue to grow – along with the work you have begun. I hope that they will remind us of gift that you have given to SLCS but, more importantly the gift you have given to all the individuals that have crossed your path.
I will close with one poem that is a favourite of mine...
By Ralph Waldo Emerson
What is Success?
To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by
a healthy child, a garden patch
or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed
easier because you have lived;
This is to have succeeded.
Your Honour – you ARE success! Thank you!
National Volunteer Week
Posted on March 4, 2011
Thank you to all of our volunteers who have dedicated years of service to the London & Region Youth Community Justice Committee.
Volunteers Practice Restorative Justice in London and Region
St. Leonard’s introduced the Community Justice Committee Program (an Ontario Youth Justice Committee Site for London and Middlesex County) in the late 1990’s. Through Restorative Justice Approaches such as the CJC, victims of crime meet the accused to have their questions, fears and needs addressed. Volunteers and other supports are present to help develop a solution and repair the harm the offences caused to all involved. Volunteers are key and have added to the success of this program.
Linda Grant has been a committed volunteer since 2004. She feels her “role is to facilitate the connection of offender and citizen where the offender is held accountable to the person harmed and the community". Her feelings are echoed by a victim who met with Linda and other members of the CJC Program and stated “I am here today to receive my restitution but what I received was the return of comfort for my wife and that cannot be replaced by money”.
Wendy Dennis started volunteering one year after being introduced to the program as victim of a Break and Enter. That evening her feedback was “that was great and how do I get involved.” Wendy describes being a member of the Youth Justice Committee as “an educating and rewarding experience”. She further explains that “offering an ear and providing a productive solution has taught me that change is possible for the youth in our society".
Submitted by: Rachel Funk, St. Leonard’s Social Service Worker Student
(Left to Right) Mary Ann Smith; Rachel Funk; Alice Lewis
Rachel Funk SSW student and author of above Restorative Justice article. Rachel is a University graduate and returned to Fanshawe College(2010) in the SSW Fast Track program for some practical experience. Rachel wishes to continue to explore all opportunities working in the Restorative Justice field.
Mary Ann Smith MSW is a Professor at Fanshawe College in the Social Service Worker Program and has been a Justice Committee volunteer with St Leonard’s for the past 10 years.
Alice Lewis Senior Director of the Community Division who with a dedicated staff team and the many St Leonard’s volunteers has continued to promote and further develop Restorative Justice within St Leonard’s and the broader London Community
Welcome Heather Callender
Posted on February 18, 2011
To our Community Partners, Funders, and Friends:
On behalf of the Board of Directors I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Heather Callender, M.A., as the new Executive Director of St. Leonard's Community Services effective January 15, 2011. You may have already met Heather, who joined our organization as Senior Director of Residential Services in the fall of 2010.
Heather brings a wealth of experience and skill in mental health and leadership, and with those skills and qualities, the capacity to lead us in meeting the needs of those who are at risk or in conflict with the law.to support their successful transition and reintegration to community living, and the needs of our community.
As we move into the our future we are very pleased and confident in Heather's ability to lead and serve our community. We look forward to working with her in her new role and introducing her to our community partners, funders and friends. Please join us in welcoming her and helping her connect with all of the service providers, organizations and people in our region.
Susan Rodger
President of the Board
Star Portraits - Louise Arbour
Posted on December 10, 2010
Hope you were able to watch the show on December 4, 2010 with Honourable Louise Arbour on Bravo! The Honourable Louise Arbour’s portraits will be auctioned off and MLA -SLCS is one of the 12 charities that have been nominated to be the recipient of the funds generated by the auctioning of her portraits!
Star Portraits' Online Charity Auction December 6th - 13th 2010
Visit http://www.starportraits.ca/auction to bid on a one-of-a-kind piece of celebrity art.
SLCS Unveils “Keeping it Real”
Posted on October 6, 2008
SLCS unveils "Keeping it Real", an interactive game about choices. It will challenge teenagers about the decisions they make everyday. To gain points, players must consider making the choice that makes the most positive change in any situation.
Maison Louise Arbour
Posted on April 3, 2008
In the spring of 2007, SLCS opened Maison Louise Arbour (MLA), the only residential centre in southwestern Ontario designed to serve women in conflict with the law.
Named in honour of Louise Arbour, Maison Louise Arbour provides stable and supportive accommodation:
- For up to eight women and their children
- For women who are in conflict with the law or who are at risk of being in conflict with the law
- For women who have mental illness
Maison Louise Arbour provides 24-hour supportive staffing that fosters a safe and trusting environment.
Katy Hutchison Presents
Posted on April 2, 2008
SLCS is proud to present a public forum on restorative justice featuring Katy Hutchison, May 14th, at the London Convention Centre beginning at 6:30 p.m.
As a professional speaker, restorative justice advocate, author and concerned parent, Katy will present her own compelling real life story to students and parents. The one-hour presentation entitled “The Story of Bob”, outlines how many misguided choices by youth contributed to the murder of her husband in 1997.
For more information on Katy’s presentation, visit her website.
