The Government of Yukon has approved funding for a new community housing program that will provide 24/7 supervised housing and programming services for up to eight justice-involved women. This essential service is the first of its kind in the North. The Government of Yukon will partner with Connective Support Society (Connective), formerly known as the John Howard Society, in the delivery of this programming to ensure the successful transition for women in the justice system back into the community.
Connective will operate and administer the program in partnership with the Council of Yukon First Nations and will begin recruiting and training staff to welcome its first program participants. The facility is located in the former Takhini Haven building and will be independently operated on the Whitehorse Correctional Centre property.
Connective has been successfully operating the Supervised Housing and Reintegration Support Program (SHARP), a similar supervised housing and programming service for justice-involved men in the Yukon, for almost three years. This new program will provide access to safe housing and support for justice-involved women who are on bail, conditional sentences, mandatory supervision and temporary absences. Program participants will also have voluntary access to culturally-appropriate programs and services to assist in addressing the underlying factors that brought them in contact with the justice system. Providing supervised housing and programs to support their transition back into the community will reduce the likelihood of reinvolvement with the criminal justice system.
