Nanaimo Region John Howard Society

The Canadian Society, named after John Howard, has extended its’ hand for those involved in the Criminal Justice System since 1929. In 1958 a small Nanaimo group of volunteers began to tackle issues important to the community and to the Criminal Justice System. The Nanaimo Area Council served our community as part of the Vancouver Island John Howard Society until 1989 when the Nanaimo Region John Howard Society was incorporated. The Society’s affiliated with both the John Howard Society of British Columbia and the John Howard Society of Canada. (There are nine Provincial affiliates and more than 50 independent offices Canada wide.) The Nanaimo Region John Howard Society is a Non-Profit Charitable Organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. We utilize volunteers within the Society Programs whenever possible. The Nanaimo Region John Howard Society has grown since 1989 and we have a number of active programs and dedicated staff. The Society is ever evolving to keep up with present day needs of clients and the community at large. Our Vision is a safe and inclusive community where every citizen takes responsibility for a humane, civil, and just society. We offer programs that are innovative and recognized for being best practice. The excellence of our Restorative Justice Program has been recognized both nationally and internationally. Our Forensic Housing and Outreach Program received the BC Mental Health and Addiction Services Award of Excellence. In May 2012, the Guthrie Therapeutic Community program was the recipient of the Premier’s Award for Innovation.