Answers to Frequently Asked Questions:

Community Aftercare

Q. I just got out of jail. Can I get some help from John Howard Society?
Q. Who is eligible for the program?
Q. How do I get a Pardon?

Community Service Order Program

Q. Can I find my own placement to perform my Community Service hours?
Q. Why do I have to report to my Community Service Coordinator once a month?

Partner Assault Response Program (PAR)

Q. How can I join the Partner Assault Response Program?
Q. Is there a cost for the Program?

Community Crime Prevention

Q. How well do students receive the message in Bullying presentations?
Q. How successful is the Bullying Program in reducing incidents in the school?

C.O.P.E.S. Program

Q. What will the students be learning about?
Q. How was I referred to this group?

Cambridge Career Connections - Employment Programs for Youth

Q. What can an Employment Counsellor do for me?
Q. How much does it cost to use the Resource Centre?
Q. How do I know if I am eligible for an Employment Program?

Housing Program

Q. How can the Cambridge Housing Program help me?
Q. Can I get financial support to help pay first and last month’s rent?

Community Aftercare

Q. I just got out of jail. Can I get some help from John Howard Society?
The program provides assistance with the immediate needs of those just released from incarceration. i.e. income support/housing/food/clothing/employment search. Ongoing counselling to address criminal risk factors is provided, as well as general community information with regard to the Criminal Justice System.

Q. Who is eligible for the program?
Adults (over 18) who are currently in or just released from incarceration, or are at risk for negative involvement with the Justice System. Though referrals often come from components of the Justice System, all clients are considered as voluntary.

Q. How do I get a Pardon?
Please refer to the John Howard Society of Alberta website for a comprehensive answer.

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Community Service Order Program

Q. Can I find my own placement to perform my Community Service hours?
Yes you can, provided that the placement is a non profit, charitable organization. However, it is necessary that you contact your Community Service Coordinator with the full name of the organization, contact name and telephone number before proceeding with any work, to ensure that it meets the requirements.

Q. Why do I have to report to my Community Service Coordinator once a month?
Each client is seen once a month to ensure that the terms of the Community Service Order are being met. It is an opportunity for the Coordinator to discuss any issues that may have arisen and to provide positive feedback.

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Partner Assault Response Program (PAR)

Q. How can I join the Partner Assault Response Program?
Call the John Howard Society of Waterloo-Wellington at (519) 743-6071 and ask for reception. There are preset appointment dates where individuals can arrange to register for the program.

Q. Is there a cost for the Program?
Yes, there is a cost for the program. The total fee is $375.00 for anyone making $30,000 or more per year. A sliding scale is used depending on income to adjust the fee if individuals earn less than $30,000. The amount is negotiated with the Program Coordinator when registering for the program.

Community Crime Prevention

Q. How well do students receive the message in Bullying presentations?
Students become better informed in areas of accountability and self-awareness regarding their own participation in bullying incidents. They become aware of the ‘messages’ they send when they ‘standby’ and watch incidents of bullying occur. For instance, students have said that they were not aware that they were sending a message of ‘approval’ when they would watch a fight after school or when they would participate in spreading rumours, etc. Talking through these issues in class discussions has enlightened the students. Some have said they want to send a more positive message and not participate negatively in bullying.

Q. How successful is the Bullying Program in reducing incidents in the school?
Teachers have indicated that they have noticed (a decrease) decreases in bullying behaviour and an increase in students seeking positive help/support from teachers etc. In addition, they indicated that students now have a “common language” to use regarding bullying and have a better understanding of bystander roles and bullying interventions.

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C.O.P.E.S. Program

Q. What will the students be learning about?
Students learn strategies to cope with anger, depression, stress, family separation, peer pressure, drug and alcohol abuse and bullying. Students also build skills in healthy problem solving, decision-making, goal setting, communication, conflict resolution and relationships. Each group has an individual dynamic and the pace and outline of the group ‘coursework’ is determined by the ‘needs’ of the group. Each student in the group goes through an ‘intake process’ with the JHS facilitator (and a representative of the school) whereby the student has an opportunity to get to know the facilitator, ask some questions they may have, identify some personal goals for themselves and decide whether they feel C.O.P.E.S. is right for them. Almost all of the students, who go through an intake process, agree to participate in the C.O.P.E.S. group.

Q. How was I referred to this group?
Students are referred to the C.O.P.E.S. group by a teacher, VP or guidance councillor who felt the student would benefit from the tools and skills the program has to offer. They also felt the student would benefit from the opportunity to share and discuss issues with peers in a group setting. Students are reassured that their invitation to the group is a positive and unique opportunity. Only 8-10 students are chosen per group and feedback from students is very positive.

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Cambridge Career Connections - Employment Programs for Youth

Q. What can an Employment Counsellor do for me?
Job Connect Employment Counsellors can help you create a resume, focus your job search, provide leads, prepare you for interviews and help motivate you to keep the job you find. Employment Counsellors are also able to access moderate training supports to help you obtain employment. If you are still struggling to find your perfect job match, Employment Counsellors can also link you with our Conestoga College Job Developers. Job Developers actually approach employers on your behalf to help find you the job you are after.

Q. How much does it cost to use the Resource Centre?
Our Cambridge Career Connections Resource Centre services are completely free! You can photocopy your resume, print job orders off the Internet, fax and make employment related long-distance calls. We have Job Boards full of postings that have come direct from employers … a part of the hidden job market! Drop in; get what you need, absolutely free. A member of our Employment Team is always available to assist you.

Q. How do I know if I am eligible for an Employment Program?
In order to be eligible for Service Canada funded programs, participants must be:

• 15-30 years of age
• Out of school
• A Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or have been granted refugee status in Canada
• Not in receipt of Employment Insurance benefits
• In need of assistance to overcome barriers to employment

Housing Program

Q. How can the Cambridge Housing Program help me?
We offer a number of FREE services to help youth and adults 16 years and older, obtain and/or maintain housing. To be eligible, clients must be able to conduct an independent housing search. We also provide a Landlord Registry for Cambridge landlords to advertise their rental properties and connect with tenants.

Our resource centre at Cambridge Career Connections provides:

• A list of Emergency Housing options
• Bulletin Board listings of available rental units
• A list of Cambridge apartments
• A Housing Binder with handouts
• Referrals to other community programs and services.
• Newspapers, internet access and telephones
• Subsidized Housing applications
• Brochures, pamphlets, and Cambridge maps
• Information on the Tenant Protection Act (TPA)
• Tips and resources for Cambridge landlords
• Mediation between tenants and landlords

Q. Can I get financial support to help pay first and last month’s rent?
If you are receiving Ontario Works (OW) or Ontario Disability Support (ODSP), you may qualify for the Community Start-Up Benefit (CSUB). Contact your Case Manager to inquire if you are eligible. To apply for Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support, call the intake line at: 883-2100.

Or,

If you are employed or have a reliable source of income such as Employment Insurance, you may qualify for an interest-free loan from The Rent Bank. To find out if you qualify for a loan, call the Eviction Prevention and Rent Bank Coordinator at Lutherwood: 743-2460 Ext. 273.