FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 28, 2012

Service Change on the Way for the Elizabeth Fry Society of Saskatchewan

For over 31 years the Elizabeth Fry Society has been working with women in trouble with the law in Saskatchewan communities. With an anticipated increase in demand on its services with the passage of Bill C-10 and the ongoing need to secure increased core operational funding for the agency, the EFS Board of Directors has decided to temporarily suspend the majority of its services effective April 30, 2012, to undergo an important restructuring.

“Women and their families need support, and we want to make sure that what we are offering is responding best to their needs” said Board President, Nancy Poon. “Women who find themselves in the criminal justice system benefit immensely from the gender-specific services that we offer. As the demand for our services increases, we need to be confident that we are responding in the most efficient and effective ways possible and that our administrative costs can be covered”.

It is an on-going challenge for non-profit agencies, such as the Elizabeth Fry Society, to offer services that are variously funded and with limited core operation dollars to administer them. With a redesign of Elizabeth Fry’s operational model, it is anticipated that the priority needs of its clients will be met and partnerships will be strengthened with the greater Saskatchewan community to help ensure women are part of a continuum of care that leads to healthier living.

Elizabeth Fry services should be back up and running by the Fall of 2012. In the interim, EFS will suspend the majority of its programs, with the family literacy program at the Women’s Community-Training Residence continuing. It will also transfer its advocacy role at the regional level to its sister societies in Manitoba and Alberta.

For women and agencies in search of information on the criminal justice system, the Human Rights in Action Handbook, recently developed by the Elizabeth Fry Society will soon be available on its website: http://elizabethfrysask.org/. This handbook is designed to assist women to advocate for themselves and others within the criminal justice system.

The Elizabeth Fry Society Board and Staff would like to express its deep gratitude to all of its supporters and funders, including the United Way, the Saskatchewan Law Foundation, Aboriginal Urban Strategy, Department of Justice and private donors. We look forward to forming even closer partnerships with each of you in the coming months.

With respect and compassion, the Elizabeth Fry Society of Saskatchewan advocates for the freedom of criminalized women through the provision of programs, supports and services. We strive for solutions to meet the needs of individual women in overcoming systemic barriers including poverty, violence and discrimination that can lead to criminalized behaviour.

Admission is $10 and all proceeds goes to the Elizabeth Fry Society.

Tickets for the event are available at CFCR, 267 3rd Ave South, 3rd floor.

For more details please visit CFCR Saskatoon Community Radio or call 664-6678

See you there!!

I’m delighted to announce the appointment of Gabrielle Battiste, BA, JD, as the interim Executive Director of the Elizabeth Fry Society of Saskatchewan.  Gabrielle is replacing Caroleen Wright who is currently away on leave.

Gabrielle has her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Regina and her law degree from the University of Saskatchewan.  She practiced criminal, civil, commercial and family litigation in Manitoba for 8 years before moving back to Saskatchewan to practice with the Federal Department of Justice.  She has held senior leadership and executive roles in the credit union and banking industries.  Currently Gabrielle operates her own consulting firm with a focus on change management including strategic, compliance, legislative and policy development. 

For the next six months, Gabrielle intends to focus on helping the Society through a period of staff and operational change; building on and focusing the Strong Sisters and Aboriginal Integration Worker programs; and building relationships with key community organizations and stakeholders in order to continue the Society’s reputation for delivering effective, targeted and compassionate support, education and reintegration services to criminalized women. 

In her spare time, Gabrielle continues to work at her consulting business, spends time working out at the gym or running, and continues to grow and learn as a parent to an 18 year old son.  Please join me in welcoming Gabrielle to the Elizabeth Fry Society of Saskatchewan and in wishing her the best as we move forward together in this journey. I encourage you to contact her by phone or email at (306) 668-0604 or executivedirector@elizabethfrysociety.org.

With my best regards,

Dr. Nancy Poon

Chair of the Board

Open letter to Saskatchewan government officials regarding Bill C-10: The Safe Streets and Communities Act

Venue: CUMFI (The gathering space), 315 Ave M South, Saskatoon, SK

For more information and/or to register, please contact:

Roberta Desnomie

Aboriginal Integration Advocate, Efry Sask

integration@elizabethfrysask.org

Phone: 306 668 0606

Fax: 306 652 2933

OR

Fiona Cook

Research and Policy Officer

Native Women’s Association of Canada

fcook@nwac.ca

View Poster for the event

Print off the following Canadians for Fiscal and Social Accountability Postcards:

Postcard-Text

Postcard – Front Option #1

Postcard – Front Option #2

Postcard – Front Option #3

Postcard – Front Option #4

If you have  purchased tickets or offered sunshine raffle donations, contact EFS in the near future to assist with your refund.

If you have any questions, please contact directly the Chair of the Events Committee at 934-4606.

For Questions, concerns, or inquiries please call 668-0600 or email administration@elizabethfrysask.org

Membership pricing is as follows:

Low Income: $5.00

Individual: $10.00

Organization: $25.00

For more information or to become a member of the Elizabeth Fry Society of Saskatchewan, please contact out Administrative Assistant at 934-4606 ext. 1 or administration@elizabethfrysask.org

Come see us at our new space located at: