Origin of Elizabeth Fry Society in Saskatchewan
- The Elizabeth Fry Society of Saskatchewan opened its doors in 1981. After a needs assessment was conducted, it was determined that women in the community needed a court worker, a prison visitation worker at the provincial institution for women (Pine Grove), a re-integration worker, job training programs, and educational programs. In 1982, the Elizabeth Fry Society of Saskatchewan became a member of the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies. In 1990, the Elizabeth Fry Society became a member of the United Way of Saskatoon and has received yearly funding every year since then.
- In addition to providing support for women before, during, and after prison, the society operated the only non-governmentally operated Community Training Residence for women from 1996-2006.
- Today, we still focus on supporting women before, during, and after prison. We are a community based voice for women at risk as well as for those who are criminalized as a result of poverty, homelessness, violence, racism, physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, addiction, and/or lack of education and the impacts of multiple traumas, including colonization. We strive for gender specific solutions to meet the individual needs of criminalized women.
- In addition to supporting criminalized and at risk women, we have a very active volunteer program, research partnerships with the University of Saskatchewan, and host regular educational opportunities for community members.
