This presentation is the third in a series of "Life Stories" put on by the Coquitlam Public Library intended to raise awareness of people who are from marginalized groups and how they have experienced prejudice, social exclusion or stigma.

In this presentation Kristy Gordon, program supervisor with Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver, talks about her experiences managing programs such as the Woolwerx Fiber Arts Studio and JustKids Initiative.

The Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver is a charitable organization that supports some of society’s most vulnerable populations – women, girls and children at risk, involved in or affected by the justice system. They operate more than two dozen programs that work to break the cycle of poverty, addiction, mental illness, homelessness and crime and have been serving the Vancouver area for over 75 years.

Most of The Elizabeth Fry Society's clients live in poverty. Some are homeless. Many are without support networks or the tools necessary to build a future for themselves and their families.Virtually all are either at risk of becoming involved or affected by the justice system.

The Elizabeth Fry Society’s programs and services help clients address their challenges, build life skills and create positive options for the future. Each year, the Elizabeth Fry Society helps close to 10,000 clients through their programs. Their funding comes from a combination of government contracts and private sector donations. Many of their programs, such as all those under the JustKids umbrella, are made possible solely through donations.

JustKids is Canada’s only initiative aimed at mitigating the long-term negative impacts of parental incarceration through an umbrella of programs, including educational initiatives and research. Woolwerx is the Elizabeth Fry Society’s social enterprise that employs both incarcerated women and those transitioning back to community life. Women receive training to clean, card and spin donated wool into artisanal yarns. Visit woolwerx.com to learn more and link to their Etsy shop. You can find out more about their programs and how to donate at www.efry.com