History of Elizabeth Fry
Elizabeth Fry was born in England in 1780. She was raised in a very wealthy family. At age 17 she chose to work with less fortunate people in the community. Early in 1813, Elizabeth Fry visited the women's section of Newgate Prison in London for the first time, and was appalled by the conditions where female prisoners and their children were kept.
In some of the smaller prisons, the women were not separated from the men and in others, men who were labeled "lunatics", or in danger from other men, could be placed in the women's section for the jailer's convenience. Many babies were born to the inmate mothers, who then lived in the prison.
Prison fees were hard on women because they were often friendless and had no money. In some prisons, the doors between the men and women's sections were unlocked at night. Prostitution was often the only way a woman could enhance the prison diet. Women prisoners were still whipped in public until 1817 and in private until 1820. Elizabeth's willingness to see a 'divine light'; in every person often resulted in outstanding reforms taking place in the presence in how women and children were treated in London's Newgate Prison. She introduced the big change by encouraging women to care for themselves and their children. They also started to set up schools inside the prison so that the woman and children could have some basic education.
Provided material so the women could knit and do needlework and found a market for their goods. She also insisted that woman and children be kept in different sections from males and that they be supervised by other females.
In some of the smaller prisons, the women were not separated from the men and in others, men who were labeled "lunatics", or in danger from other men, could be placed in the women's section for the jailer's convenience. Many babies were born to the inmate mothers, who then lived in the prison.
Prison fees were hard on women because they were often friendless and had no money. In some prisons, the doors between the men and women's sections were unlocked at night. Prostitution was often the only way a woman could enhance the prison diet. Women prisoners were still whipped in public until 1817 and in private until 1820. Elizabeth's willingness to see a 'divine light'; in every person often resulted in outstanding reforms taking place in the presence in how women and children were treated in London's Newgate Prison. She introduced the big change by encouraging women to care for themselves and their children. They also started to set up schools inside the prison so that the woman and children could have some basic education.
Provided material so the women could knit and do needlework and found a market for their goods. She also insisted that woman and children be kept in different sections from males and that they be supervised by other females.
History of the Elizabeth Fry Foundation
The Elizabeth Fry Society began in 1977 as a volunteer program working from the Provincial Courthouse. In 1978, funding was provided by the Clifford E. Lee Foundation to develop a Adult Court work Program. Also in 1978 the Elizabeth Fry Society became a member of the United Way.
In 1979, the Elizabeth Fry Society of Edmonton was incorporated and a Prison Visitation Program was introduced. The volunteers found out that the longer they worked with the women, the more they uncovered long-term problems and concerns. They began to realize that until women worked through these problems, rehabilitation for the community would be hard. This program is now entitled the Prison Liaison Program. In 1981 the Kids In Court Program was first introduced to students in the public school system. In 1984, the Community Resources Program began to help women that have issues that brought them into the legal system to begin with.
In 1990, a program began in Youth Court. In 2001-2002, with the help of the Alberta Solicitor General - Youth Initiative, Court Assistants for Female Youth, and the Teen's Shoplifting Program started. These two projects continued with funding from the Wild Rose Foundation, Clifford E. Lee Foundation, and The Estate of Robert Tegler.
In 1991, an Aboriginal Women's Program began to develop. With the assistance of an Aboriginal Navigation Committee this program has continued to grow over the years. This program began by offering a few cultural awareness workshops to staff, clients and other agencies. In 1997 the Aboriginal Women's Program became a full -time position and it now provides ongoing talking and healing circles, craft circles, sweats. (Also shown below in the programs that this foundation provides).
In 2001, women in the Changing Paths program made an application for receiving bus tickets from the City of Edmonton's Donate-a-Ride program. Bus tickets are given to women who accessed agency programs and services with a goal to lower poverty and provide access for public transportation that allows them to attend Elizabeth Fry Society programs. In September 2002, They started the Women's Work Program with funding from Alberta Human Resources and Employment Society. As poverty and unemployment are the serious issues for women who come into trouble with the legal system, this program has been active in finding long and short-term jobs for women who are at risk or in the legal system.
Now the Women's Work project:
- registered 1000 women
- placed women on 1500 casual everyday jobs
- delivered 100 employment workshops
In 2006 Girls Empowered and Strong Program was brought in with the help of the United Way Alberta Capital Region funding. This is a preventative program that Elizabeth Fry uses to help girls age 13-17 to make healthy choices so that the girls will have nice and gentle from youth to adulthood. To this date the program has provided workshops to 550 girls in schools and 17 girls in the community.
In 1979, the Elizabeth Fry Society of Edmonton was incorporated and a Prison Visitation Program was introduced. The volunteers found out that the longer they worked with the women, the more they uncovered long-term problems and concerns. They began to realize that until women worked through these problems, rehabilitation for the community would be hard. This program is now entitled the Prison Liaison Program. In 1981 the Kids In Court Program was first introduced to students in the public school system. In 1984, the Community Resources Program began to help women that have issues that brought them into the legal system to begin with.
In 1990, a program began in Youth Court. In 2001-2002, with the help of the Alberta Solicitor General - Youth Initiative, Court Assistants for Female Youth, and the Teen's Shoplifting Program started. These two projects continued with funding from the Wild Rose Foundation, Clifford E. Lee Foundation, and The Estate of Robert Tegler.
In 1991, an Aboriginal Women's Program began to develop. With the assistance of an Aboriginal Navigation Committee this program has continued to grow over the years. This program began by offering a few cultural awareness workshops to staff, clients and other agencies. In 1997 the Aboriginal Women's Program became a full -time position and it now provides ongoing talking and healing circles, craft circles, sweats. (Also shown below in the programs that this foundation provides).
In 2001, women in the Changing Paths program made an application for receiving bus tickets from the City of Edmonton's Donate-a-Ride program. Bus tickets are given to women who accessed agency programs and services with a goal to lower poverty and provide access for public transportation that allows them to attend Elizabeth Fry Society programs. In September 2002, They started the Women's Work Program with funding from Alberta Human Resources and Employment Society. As poverty and unemployment are the serious issues for women who come into trouble with the legal system, this program has been active in finding long and short-term jobs for women who are at risk or in the legal system.
Now the Women's Work project:
- registered 1000 women
- placed women on 1500 casual everyday jobs
- delivered 100 employment workshops
In 2006 Girls Empowered and Strong Program was brought in with the help of the United Way Alberta Capital Region funding. This is a preventative program that Elizabeth Fry uses to help girls age 13-17 to make healthy choices so that the girls will have nice and gentle from youth to adulthood. To this date the program has provided workshops to 550 girls in schools and 17 girls in the community.
Volunteering |
Volunteers are a big part of the Elizabeth Fry Foundation. They offer services to our Board of Directors, Administration and all Elizabeth Fry Society of Edmonton Programs such as:
- Mentor a young girl throughout her involvement with the criminal justice system
- Visit women in prison
- Offer compassionate listening skills as women talk about their past experiences and present needs
- Organize a Christmas party at the prison
- Teach basic Internet and letter writing skills in the computer lab
- Accompany people to their court appearances
Donations |
Where to Donate:
-Mail in your donations
-Contact them at their office (780)-421-1175
-Drop in to their main office between 9am and 4pm 10523= 100 avenue, Edmonton, Alberta
NEW:
underwear, socks, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo/conditioner, hand lotion, sanitary napkins/tampons, condoms, razors, combs/brushes, pillows
Helpful:
pens, writing pads/paper, magazines, all season greeting cards (with our without envelopes), wool/yarn, hobby craft items
Gently used:
500+ (full set) puzzles
board games
-Mail in your donations
-Contact them at their office (780)-421-1175
-Drop in to their main office between 9am and 4pm 10523= 100 avenue, Edmonton, Alberta
NEW:
underwear, socks, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo/conditioner, hand lotion, sanitary napkins/tampons, condoms, razors, combs/brushes, pillows
Helpful:
pens, writing pads/paper, magazines, all season greeting cards (with our without envelopes), wool/yarn, hobby craft items
Gently used:
500+ (full set) puzzles
board games
How they help make a change
In each program there are different way they help young women and children change or get out of the criminalization phase.
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How they've benefited Canadians
They have helped every Canadian by getting youth and women out of trouble with the law. It even benefits males, because then wife's wont be abusive, and there are more woman, which we all need in society because our population can not grow without them! It even helps children girl or boy, because then their mothers and/or brothers and/or sisters won't be abusive towards others. It really improves the quality of life for everybody, if a family member is not abusive, or mentally ill, and that's what the Elizabeth Fry Foundation helps do! They make a change so that our society is a nicer place to live, and family households aren't getting corrupted or going to court, to solve their problems, get restraining orders, or to see a family member be put into jail!