Hungry community members look on as a representative from the JHSS makes sure there's enough burgers to go around. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Community events

John Howard Society cooks up warm community welcome

May 18, 2022 | 5:00 PM

An event held Wednesday afternoon felt less like a grand opening, and more like getting re-acquainted with an old friend.

The John Howard Society of Saskatchewan (JHSS) hosted a community barbecue outside the Grace Mennonite Church building on second Ave. W.

The JHSS has served the province for over 60 yeas, and for the first 30 years were quite active in Prince Albert. However Chief Operating Officer Shawn Fraser explained sometime in the late 1980s, they left, only to return in 2017 with a special CAR program (community alternatives to remand).

“It’s been going great and just with COVID and everything we just wanted to have this event to sort of let people know John Howard is back in town,” he said.

In 2020, the JHS signed a contract with the federal government to deliver a Redemption Home project. It’s geared for young Indigenous males between the ages of 16 and 26 who are at risk for gang involvement.

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‘It’s an awesome program. It’s interesting to see a program on the front edge and see how it’s forming. We want to make sure young people that come into the program leave with a sense of pride and some tools to help them sort out the next chapter in their lives,” Fraser explained.

The JHSS Cultural Camp has provided a suppportive outlet for youth trying to escape negative influences. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

The project is in partnership with Riverbank Development, and the home, located in the west flat has five beds available. There’s also apartment space across the city. Fraser noted the house itself has only actually been open since last fall.

“Already just to see some of the results, it’s like this can make a difference in a lot of peoples’ lives,” he said. “People are just in a more stable spot.”

In addition to Prince Albert, the JHSS also has offices in Regina, Moose Jaw, Saskatoon. In total they have over 100 employees including eight in Prince Albert, who work in a variety of roles from youth housing to providing supports to people who are coming out of the correctional system.

Fraser noted they are currently hiring for more frontline case worker type positions who may be involved in sweats, outdoor activities such as fishing or canoeing, and just being a positive support.

Lori Ahenakew is the Manager of Judicial Programming and Branch Services, and she too believes the JHSS can serve a big role in the community.

“Working with Indigenous male youth, and guys coming of the correctional and reintegrating back into our community. Just helping people,” she said.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell