Harbour Light’s Community Residential Facility (CRF) is uniquely equipped to provide support for up to 48 clients, including men seeking recovery from addiction and/or living with mental health diagnoses, and men with long-term or high-risk supervision needs. Our community residential facility recognizes the unique needs of each individual by offering a variety of supportive services that aid in their successful transition back into the community.
Our CRF offers casework, mental health care, life skills, substance abuse counselling, employment readiness, and outreach to support our residents in their community reintegration.
We believe that all persons deserve to be treated with respect, equality, and dignity. Learn how to apply for residency in the CRF, and find answers to common questions on our Intake & FAQs page
What is a Community Residential Facility?
A Community Residential Facility (CRF) acts as a bridge between federal correctional institutions and community living for individuals on conditional release. CRFs are sometimes referred to as halfway houses. CRF staff work closely with the Correctional Service of Canada and other professionals to plan and supervise the safe and successful reintegration of clients into the broader community.
What to Expect
On the day you arrive you will be greeted by a caseworker assigned specifically to you who will personally introduce you to the entire CRF team. You’ll learn about our house rules, including curfews, meal times, and the various amenities of Harbour Light. You’ll move into your room, and unpack your belongings.
In your first week, you’ll get settled into the house, and meet staff and other clients.
You’ll be accountable for checking in regularly with staff. You are required to sign out every time you leave the building – yes, even if you’re just going outside for a smoke! Staff may conduct random spot checks to confirm your location when you are off-site. You’ll also be required to check-in every day between 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. (phone call is permitted if you are offsite), and at other times according to your conditional release requirements. In addition, daily counts will be conducted three times each day, and three times overnight.
At least once a week, you must arrange your schedule to meet with your caseworker in-person. These sessions offer support and resources for your benefit, and help to ensure you are accountable for your release plan and conditions. With your assistance, Harbour Light CRF staff will submit a monthly report and action plan to your Parole Officer that outlines your progress made towards your goals.
In-House Resources
Residents at Harbour Light have access to a variety of in-house programs and resources, including 12-step meetings, the Learning Centre and volunteer work experience.
Our Team
The CRF is staffed by a dynamic team dedicated to assisting and facilitating the reintegration of our clients into the community.
Each resident in the CRF has a core caseworker overlooking their progress, but may also access services and support from other members of the staff team, according to their individual case plan. Our staff team includes:
• Manager of Correctional Programs ensures the program operates in compliance with the policies, regulations, and contractual requirements of The Salvation Army and the Correctional Services of Canada.
• Assistant Manager of Correctional Programs manages the day to day activities of the CRF to ensure operations are in order and policies and procedure are upheld.
• Correctional Caseworker works with clients to support their progress on the goals and objectives outlined in their release plan, and makes referrals when necessary.
• Correctional High-Risk Caseworker specializes in managing a caseload of clients deemed high risk, and provides additional support for offenders with complex files.
• Correctional Outreach Worker provides in-house resources to support clients’ educational, housing, medical, spiritual, personal, and employment goals. The outreach worker partners with other community agencies to assist clients with their various reintegration needs.
• Correctional Mental Health Worker provides individual counselling for residents with diagnosed mental health needs, and provides mental health assessments.
• Correctional Substance Abuse Counsellor provides individual counselling support for residents with a history of substance abuse or at risk of substance abuse. The counsellor may also provide individualized treatment plans for clients with complex issues.
Our Support Attendants ensure the safety of our community, and provide many services to the staff and residents of our programs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.