Stella Burry Community Services

Community Support Program

In 2001, Correctional Services Canada approached SBCS to create a program that would assist a group of women offenders who had complex mental health issues coupled with long histories of cycling between hospital and jail. Unable to manage their lives on their own, many of these women were re-offending to get back into jail as it was the only place they felt safe. Despite their complex needs, it was believed that if the right balance of supports were available, many of these women could live successfully in the community. This was the beginnings of the Community Support Program (CSP), which today supports 40 men and women who live in the community successfully.  Staff in the program assist CSP participants with medical and other appointments, budgeting, cooking, grocery shopping, and building connections and supports in their community.

An independent evaluation of the program in 2005 demonstrated that it was having a significant positive impact on the lives of the participants, revealing a 73 per cent decrease in re-offences and a further 39 per cent reduction in hospital re-admissions which could equate to a savings of $1.55 million for government agencies.

An Evaluation of: Stella Burry Community Services Community Support Program