Upcoming Volunteer Training – Spring 2019
Free Admittance (Minimum age 21)
Dates for the Spring 2019 training listed on our training page.
Please email admin@cosa-ottawa.ca for more information or to register!
WHAT IS CIRCLES OF SUPPORT AND ACCOUNTABILITY?
Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA) is a reintegration initiative, operating on restorative justice principles, that assists individuals who have served a prison sentence for a sexual offence(s) in their effort to re-enter society. These individuals, who we refer to as Core Members, participate in the program voluntarily, so are not mandated by the judicial system. CoSA-Ottawa is one of currently 15 Canadian sites operating a CoSA program, representing approximately 150 to 200 circles and 700 volunteers.
The Core Member and three to five trained and screened community volunteers comprise a Circle. They meet as a group and individually on a regular basis to:
- Support the Core Member’s community integration by facilitating his practical needs (i.e. access to medical services, social assistance, seeking employment, affordable housing, etc.) and by providing a consistent network of emotional support;
- Develop constructive and pro-social strategies and solutions to everyday problems and concerns;
- Challenge the Core Member’s behaviours and attitudes that may be associated with his offending cycle;
- Celebrate successes.
Board of Directors
Officers:
President: Emmy Verdun, Economist, Retired Public Servant Vice President:Cliff Yumansky, Retired Federal Public Service Treasurer: Sharon Rouleau, Finance Assistant, Shepherds of Good Hope, and former Circle Volunteer Secretary:
Tara McWhinney, PhD Candidate, Social Sciences
Directors:
Alice Doell, Retired Pharmacist and current Circle Volunteer Kerry Lamming, Retired High School Principal and current Circle Volunteer Sarah Starkie, Defense Lawyer Nicole St. John, Sergeant, Investigations, Ottawa Police Service
L-R Front: Sharon Rouleau, Tara McWhinney, Alice Doell,
L-R Back: Kerry Lamming, Emmy Verdun, Sarah Starkie, Cliff Yumansky
Missing: Nicole St. John
(Updated May, 2018)
We have moved!
Effective August 28, 2017 our new address is:
211 Bronson Ave (the Bronson Centre), #207A, Ottawa, K1R 6H5 (613 288-2284)