About John Howard Sarnia Lambton

Yesterday

The John Howard Society in Sarnia had its beginning during the fall of 1949. Miss Jean Wilton, a former Sarnian living in Vancouver, observed the functioning of the Society in British Columbia. Upon her return to Sarnia, she approached 16 Sarnians who were involved in various forms of community service. Those 16 people accepted Miss Wilton’s invitation to form the board of directors of a new branch of the John Howard Society - in Sarnia. During its organizational meeting held on November 18, 1949 at the YM-YWCA, this group took as its aims:

“To assist in the rehabilitation of the returning prisoner, to give him material and spiritual help and to conduct research into ways of preventing crime and to study penal conditions.”

The Sarnia Branch was fortunate to have had amongst its number individuals such as Miss Wilton, the late Msgr. J.A. Cook, the late N.L. LeSueur, and the late George Parker and other notable community leaders.

During 1953 the Society became a member of the Community Chest, now the United Way. Msgr. J.A. Cook assumed the role of ‘Coordinator of Casework’ and assigned clients to members of the board of directors. One documented case recounts a board member giving a client his necktie to wear to his job; unfortunately, it turned out to be a bank ‘job’.

The agency continued as a volunteer group until 1976 when a part-time, paid co-ordinator was hired. In 1977, the agency hired its first full-time executive director, along with a part-time bookkeeper and a part-time caseworker. The staff worked diligently delivering services, developing new programs and promoting the Society in the community. With the increased availability of service, the agency saw its client numbers increase dramatically and, with the assistance of the John Howard Society of Ontario and the United Way, the casework position became full-time.

During the ensuing years, the branch developed innovative programs, set Canadian precedents, participated in national reform strategies, and operated pilot projects for the province of Ontario. Several of those programs still operate today thanks to the kind support of Ministries of the Province of Ontario.

The Sarnia branch has had a number of its directors honoured by the John Howard Society of Ontario:

Norman LeSueur, Q.C., M.C.
Life Membership

Msgr. J.A. Cook
Distinguished Humanitarian Service Award
Life Membership

Joseph Shaw
Life Membership

Duncan Longwell
Life Membership

Rev. John B. Duncan
Life Membership

Ken Doan
Life Membership

Anne Doan
Life Membership

Donald Gignac
Life Membership

In addition, the Society was privileged to have had the late former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario the Hon. Pauline McGibbon, and the late Justice David F. Kent as Patrons.

During 1998, the Sarnia branch became incorporated and is now known officially as ‘John Howard Society Sarnia Lambton’, an Affiliate of the John Howard Society of Ontario. Its concentration on human service has earned it an enviable reputation amongst clients and within the Canadian John Howard network.

The Society has been recognised for its support of civic, humanitarian and educational endeavours including, in 2000, its induction to the Mayor’s Honour Roll for its service delivery and unique place in the community.

Today

Times change.

The Society once only served adult male offenders. For the last number of years its caseload has averaged about 29% female. It actively services young people in conflict with the law. Community education provides service to non-offenders.

The Sarnia Affiliate presently has 7 full-time staff delivering a myriad of services including counselling and emergency intervention, specialized programming for young offenders, community service co-ordination, institutional services and discharge planning, and community education, to name a few.

The Society holds fee-for-service contracts with ministries of the provincial government. Sadly, the United Way elected to discontinue its support of the Society effective April 1, 2008 bringing to an end a relationship unbroken since 1953.

The Society works diligently to help make Sarnia-Lambton a better place to live.

Tomorrow

Times will continue to change.

The Society accepts the challenge of dealing with an evolving justice system, a changing client group, an increasingly diverse community, and a diminishing resource base. It will continue its provision of services. It will strive to augment its reform and community education roles. It will work, as John Howard did during the 18th century, to support the human spirit.