Our CJHS Board

On behalf of the Board of Directors, we are honoured to present our 2023-2024 Annual Report. This past year has been a testament to the resilience, adaptability, and innovative spirit that defines our organization. These qualities are also the reasons the society is now proudly entering its 75th year, having evolved over three quarters of a century in response to the shifting needs of an informed, inclusive community.

Despite challenges, we remained steadfast in our mission, introducing new programs, forging strategic partnerships, and leveraging creative crime prevention solutions to enhance our service delivery and reach more individuals in need. It has been encouraging to realize growth in our restorative justice programs, responding to increased interest from the community and awareness that effective justice should be restorative. Expansion in employment and reintegration programs has ensured both youth and adults can access critical support. To address the difficulties our formerly incarcerated clients face in securing meaningful employment, we launched our SoJust Moving Social Enterprise, which provides job opportunities for our clients.

As we evolve and respond to our community’s needs, we are excited to share some key organizational developments. We proudly announce the launch of a diversity working group, initiated by our staff to recognize the growing demographic we serve. A new organizational structure has emerged, simplifying and streamlining our various functions. We have added two roles focused on quality improvement, community engagement, and strategic leadership, all of which contributed to our four-year accreditation from the Canadian Accreditation Council.

Additionally, we changed our year-end date from December 31st to March 31st—a significant achievement made possible by our dedicated Finance Department, who managed this transition while continuing their day-to-day responsibilities. We also undertook an ambitious Communications and Fund Development project, featuring a refreshed website. Together, these initiatives underscore our commitment to growth, inclusivity, and enhanced service delivery as we move forward.

Our accomplishments reflect the hard work, dedication, and passion of our team. We are grateful for their unwavering commitment, and excited to build on our successes and make an even greater impact in the years ahead with the support of our Board, stakeholders, and community. Looking ahead, the agency is aware it must play an active role in furthering solutions to Calgary’s housing crisis, removing barriers that individuals face in realizing their right to a stable place to call home. 

In 2023, our former Chair Don Cameron ended his tenure on the Board after nearly a decade of service. We want to thank Don for his countless contributions to the society, and his continued support in the John Howard movement as Chair of the provincial society. We welcomed two new board members, Robert Nichols and Justin Smith, who have already had a tremendous impact. At a managerial level, new members were added, reflecting the new organizational structure, but only one left. Our long serving and uber-dedicated Bedford House and Building Bonds in the Community Manager, Kym Jacobs, retired. 

We know the year ahead will be marked with significant change. Leslie has shared her intention to retire as Executive Director in early 2025. After having dedicated more than 23 years to the society, Leslie leaves an incredible legacy of impact on the agency and community. The Board recognizes the weight of the responsibility that comes with selecting the agency’s next leader. Our priority is to preserve the spirit that has served our community for the past 75 years.

As we reflect on the past year, we are filled with gratitude for the resilience of our team and the unwavering support of our community. Together, we have laid a solid foundation for the future, and we are committed to addressing the challenges that lie ahead. With the upcoming leadership transition, we are dedicated to ensuring that our core values remain at the forefront of our mission. We look forward to the next chapter of our journey, confident that with the continued collaboration of our Board, staff, and stakeholders, we will create lasting change and foster a brighter future for those we serve. Thank you for your ongoing support as we embark on this exciting new phase.