FIVE ONGOING SERVICE AGENCIES PROGRAM
WILLIAM HEAD INSTITUTION (Since 2015)
Nearly 130 men have voluntarily completed the INTENSIVE JOURNAL program since its inception. Of the + men who completed the I J program and have subsequently been released into the community, only one has returned to jail over an almost nine-year period. Tangible evidence that the program has a significant impact on the recidivism of those who complete the 12-week workshop series.
FAMILY CAREGIVERS OF BC (Since 2018)
This province-wide Intensive Journal program is delivered across BC via ZOOM platform. Since the initial pilot program was completed in 2019, nearly 80 volunteer family caregivers have participated in the virtual INTENSIVE JOURNAL workshops. These workshops are scheduled to continue through June of 2024.
NEW ROADS THERAPEUTIC RECOVERY COMMUNITY (Since 2018)
DIRECTOR’S TESTIMONY: (2021) “In our work with the men at the Centre, it is apparent that they have been exposed to many traumatic events and experiences within their life. The intensive journaling process is an excellent way of supporting them to work on these experiences in a group context yet keep their information private if they wish. It allows for a guided exploration of one’s experiences in a safe and supportive way. This has been a significant support to the men who have taken the program. All the men who have enrolled provided positive feedback about the Intensive Journaling Program. New Roads TRC is happy to continue to offer this program to the men in recovery that we serve.” Cheryl Diebel, Director of New Roads Therapeutic Recovery Community.
OUR PLACE SOCIETY (OPS) in Victoria, BC
In February 2022, following a series of consultations and interviews with currently housed residents of OPS, a twelve-week series of weekly INTENSIVE JOURNAL workshops has begun with 7 volunteer resident participants. Once per week these men will gather in the quiet comfort of the Spiritual Care Space at 919 Pandora Avenue for 90 minutes of private and safe writing in their Journal Workbook binders. A light lunch is being provided at the conclusion of each writing session.
Our Place Society Mission: Our Place Society has grown from a unique inner-city community centre to nine locations serving Greater Victoria’s most vulnerable, including people struggling with homelessness, mental health challenges, substance use issues, the working poor, and the impoverished elderly.
THE UMBRELLA SOCIETY in Victoria, BC
In 2020, following consultations with staff and resident members at UMBRELLA, a group of six men volunteered to participate in a 12-week INTENSIVE JOURNAL program starting February 28, 2021. The 90-minute group writing sessions offer privacy and safety for the participants interested in a compassionate exploration of their life narrative. In the two years since that time more than 40 Umbrella Society members have completed the I J workshops series. In November 2023 another 6-week series is unfolding for 12 participants. The Umbrella Society has just launched an “advance” workshop series for 12 participants who have found the I J process impacting their life in an ongoing way. This program will likely continue into 2024, along with the continuation of the LIFE CONTEXT, and DEPTH CONTACT series for new Umbrella Society members.