‘Everybody deserves a second chance!’ Volunteers, ex-offenders celebrate their work together – BC Catholic

For two decades the Archdiocese of Vancouver has been a driving force behind a partnership aimed at helping inmates who are at risk to re-offend return to the community. But pandemic restrictions put an end to the annual celebration of volunteers and released individuals they work with.

Circles of Support and Accountability’s ongoing work of weekly meetings between volunteers and post-incarcerated individuals was able to continue over the past two years, but the appreciation banquet that brought volunteers and offenders together in recognition of their efforts has been on hold … until now.

CoSA Vancouver/Fraser Valley held its banquet for the first time in two years, returning with a special celebration of community and successful reintegration through partnership with the Correctional Service of Canada.

Under the coordination of Maureen Donegan, who began the modern work of CoSA as director of Catholic Justice Service Society, the banquet took place March 10 with Archbishop J. Michael Miller opening the event with greetings from the archdiocese.

The archbishop, who has never missed the event, offered prayers for the developing violence in Ukraine, then congratulated the volunteers and offenders, known as core members, for their continued efforts to rebuild lives of justice and healing.

More than 100 people attended, including volunteers, released offenders (known as core members), Langley-Aldergrove MP Tako van Popta, and police and corrections officials.

“The warm support and backing from Corrections has been a constant for years and speaks of the successful partnership CoSA has formed under Maureen Donegan,” said Father Mako Watanabe, board chair for CoSA in Vancouver/Fraser Valley.

Angela Veters, who coordinates prison ministry for the archdiocese, said that while CoSA doesn’t advocate for inmates or their early release, the reality is that most incarcerated individuals will at some point return to the community. “Will the community ostracize and stigmatize those individuals, or will they help to promote healthy reintegration and the rebuilding of lives with no more victims?”

It’s all about relationships and community, Veters said, noting last year’s guest speaker Rev. Harry Nigh, a co-founder of CoSA, quoted Catholic liberation theologian Gustavo Gutiérrez: “How do you work against poverty if you don’t know the name of one poor [/marginalized] person? Justice needs to have a personal, relational dimension, otherwise we’re talking theory.”

Several testimonials were offered at the dinner, including from a core member who has been in a circle since 2020.

Speaking about the destructive nature of all crime, not least sexual offending, he acknowledged society’s fear and hatred especially of sex offenders, who are regarded as pariahs both in prison and beyond.

He expressed appreciation that his circle extends grace and forgiveness and upholds his fundamental human dignity without judging his inmost self.

Bev, a circle volunteer, told of the call to participate in CoSA that she experienced after hearing about it four years ago and how the experience has been better than she imagined. She told of her pride in seeing her core member’s success at finding an apartment and full-time job and remaining crime-free. She praised CoSA staff for their excellent training sessions, leadership, and support, saying everyone needs support and accountability. “Everybody deserves a second chance—even more!”

There are currently 39 circles across B.C., mostly in the Lower Mainland, with more than 90 citizen-volunteers.

A recent study in the Journal of Experimental Criminology said the repeat offence rate is 88 per cent lower among those who have a Circle of Support and Accountability.

Even with such results, funding for the program is always uncertain. A five-year funding commitment from the federal Ministry of Public Safety that was intended to develop and grow the program expired last month.

Donegan said funding is in place for the coming year thanks to the Archdiocese of Vancouver, Correctional Service Canada, and private contributions.

For more information or to donate, visit https://www.vfvcosa.org/donation. To find out more about volunteering, contact Angela Veters at [email protected].