St. Leonard's Society of Ottawa - House of Hope              CSC Contracted: 17
Director: Tracey Cortes
Address: 32 Gilmour Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 0N3
Telephone: (613)-230-7676 Fax: (613)-238-5952
www.houseofhope.ca
Agency Brochure        House Rules      

The aim of the House of Hope is to reduce the recidivism rate of the client population by providing residential services which encourage independence, security and self-fulfillment.

History: The House of Hope was founded in 1974 to establish a home-like setting for offenders released into the community.

Description: The house is an 85 year old three story building located in a central residential district of Ottawa which accommodates up to 17 men. All bedrooms are located on the second and third floors. The living room (TV lounge), kitchen (both on main floor) and reading lounge (second floor) are available for use by residents. Laundry facilities are located in the basement.

The house is a five minute walk to the downtown core of the city. We are also walking distance to the Canada Employment Centre, Algonquin College and other community services. We are about a one minute walk to the Rideau Canal which is the largest skating rink in the world.

Program: The House of Hope offers a number of bilingual (French and English) services, including: employment assistance, basic life skills and financial planning. We refer several of our residents to community programs, i.e. Cognitive Skills, Substance Abuse, AA, NA, etc. Residents may request other programming or counselling. The overall focus is always on the individual rather than the group. Recreational facilities are available through Y.M.C.A. passes.

Upon arrival to our facility, the resident will be assigned a Caseworker. (We have three Caseworkers at our facility.) The Caseworker will work closely with the resident to formulate and follow a treatment plan that will aid the resident successfully complete his stay.

Residents Accepted: Adult males released from CSC Institutions on day parole, full parole, temporary absence, work release and statutory release. Applications must be willing to change. This facility is not for men with no desire to change.

Exclusions: None

Admission Procedure: Contact is made through a letter of application, or a referral by CSC staff. Potential residents are interviewed several time in CSC institutions, and a full Community Assessment is completed.

Institutions the Agency visits:                             
Beaver Creek, Fenbrook, Frontenac, Bath,
Joyceville, Pittsburgh, Warkworth, Collins Bay. 

All other referrals are welcome outside of the list detailed.