About Us

Who We Are

The John Howard Society of Peel-Halton-Dufferin is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping those affected by the criminal justice system in Ontario. Since 1979, we’ve worked to create a safer and more supportive community through meaningful action and programming.

JHS Peel-Halton-Dufferin is one of 19 John Howard Society offices in the province — each with a mission to prevent crime through research, community education and the promotion of systemic change and restorative services.

We help our clients move forward by addressing the root causes of their past behaviour. Our services include individual counselling, skill workshops and guidance for navigating the criminal justice system. Our goal is to help those who have experienced incarceration re-integrate into society and build towards a positive future.

Many of the youth and adults we serve have experienced trauma, stigmas and prejudices because of their experiences with mental health or homelessness that contributed to their involvement with the law. We work to remove the barriers they face to housing, education and employment and are proud to open our doors to youth and adults of all backgrounds. We believe that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and deserves equal opportunity to create a positive future for themselves.

At JHS Peel-Halton-Dufferin, our goal is to build a better Ontario and safer communities for all.

Our History

The John Howard Society takes its name from the English prison reformer John Howard (1726 – 1790), who chronicled the conditions of prisons in England and Wales and kickstarted a prison reform movement across Europe.

Howard’s writings led to legislation against many evils within the prison system and changed public opinion in favour of more humane prison conditions. In 1931 Reverent J. Dinnage Hobden brought this mindset to British Columbia, forming a group called the John Howard Society. Between 1947 and 1960 most other provinces in Canada formed their own societies—with Ontario’s founded in 1946.

In 1962, all of the provinces, except for Quebec, came together to form the John Howard Society of Canada. Quebec went on to join in 1980.

Our Leadership Team

Kara Hart – Chief Executive Officer

Tyler Warcop – Director of Finance

Jessica Woods – Director of People and Culture

Catherine Wiggan – Community Services Department Manager

Katie Howse – Justice Services Department Manager

Nicole Vanveen – Bail Services Department Manager (Brampton & Dufferin Region)

Tanya Colangelo – Bail Services Department Manager (Halton Region & Mississauga)

Board of Directors

Pauline Wainwright – President

Rafiq Rokerya – Vice President

Keith Gilbert – Treasurer

Peter Wood – Member

Leonard Lyn – Member

Saleha Khan – Member

Fayorn John – Member

Ann Christian-Brown – Member

Ruth Bannerman – Member

Kyla Cassidy – Member

Adam Cox – Member

Service Reports

Service Report 2022-23

Service Report 2021-22

Service Report 2020-21

Service Report 2019-20

Service Report 2018-19

Service Report 2017-18

Service Report 2016-17

Service Report 2015-16

Service Report 2014-15

Service Report 2013-14

Service Report 2012-13

Service Report 2011-12

Financial Statements

Financial Statement 2021-22

Financial Statement 2020-21

Financial Statement 2019-20

Financial Statement 2018-19

Financial Statement 2017-18

Financial Statement 2016-17

Financial Statement 2015-16

Financial Statement 2014-15

Financial Statement 2013-14

Financial Statement 2012-13

Financial Statement 2011-12

Financial Statement 2010-11

Link to CRA/ T3010

View our CRA/ T3010 Charitable Organization Designation