History
John Howard was an 18th century English prison reformer that observed unjust social conditions in prisons, both as a prisoner of war during the Seven Years War, and as the High Sheriff of Bedfordshire, a post which included the task of inspecting local prisons. The suffering that John Howard both endured and witnessed led him to become a lifelong advocate for criminal and social justice reform. He argued passionately that all citizens must collectively accept responsibility for the criminal justice system within their community.
The John Howard Society established its BC roots in Vancouver by people who, like John Howard, observed unjust social conditions and demonstrated a strong commitment to tackle issues that were important to the community and to the criminal justice system. The John Howard Society was established in Vancouver in 1929, and became incorporated in 1932 as the John Howard Society of British Columbia. JHS Canada was subsequently established in 1962.
The John Howard Society in BC has a proud 90-year history supporting just and humane treatment for individuals who are involved in the criminal justice system. Our scope has also grown to recognize that justice must include social justice, and criminal justice involvement is one of many adverse and overlapping outcomes intimately linked with social, health and economic inequity.
We champion better options for people who experience social injustice or are involved in the criminal justice system. Working directly and alongside our network of four affiliate John Howard Societies across BC, we provide supports for people in need, and a trusted, balanced voice for progressive policy and program reform. We take an integrative approach, working with youth and adults who need help, including people who are not involved in the criminal justice system. We develop and provide supports, and advocate for policy and program reforms in housing, education, income and employment, health/mental health/addiction, social connection and criminal justice for anyone who experiences social or criminal justice inequity.
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Our Values
Accountability
Accountability
Compassion
Compassion
Adaptability
Adaptability
Expertise
Expertise
Collaboration
Collaboration
Innovation
Innovation
Board of Directors
Hank Mathias
Hank sits on the JHS Victoria Board of Directors as Vice Chair, and has been a member of the regional Board since 2016. Through both his professional and volunteer experience, Hank brings a wealth of professional experience in the criminal justice system and community services to the Board. Hank is currently the Vice-Chair of the Vancouver Island Correctional Association, and has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to advancing criminal and social justice in BC.
Micki Ruth
Micki is a former police officer with a degree in criminology and a keen interest in the intersection of social wellness and the judicial system.
Although most of her career was in the field of Human Resources, with over 20 years experience, and 10 years in senior management, Micki’s interest and desire to make a contribution in the field of policing and social wellness has never wavered. To that end, she is a former President and a current member of the Canadian Board of Police Governance, a member of the Kelowna Mayor’s Task Force on Crime Reduction, and a former member and Chair of both the Halifax Board of Police Commissioners and the Edmonton Police Commission.
Micki also has additional board experience through serving on the boards of the Neptune Theatre (Halifax), the Citadel Theatre, Women Building Futures and Habitat for Humanity (Edmonton).
Judith Hayes
Judith is a clinical social worker who has many years' experience in working with youth and adults who have mental health, addictions, criminal justice and other health and social challenges. She has been a member of the JHS North Vancouver Island board since 2015 and served as Vice-Chair of the JHSBC board from the end of 2019 to the end of 2024.
Darlene Kavka
Darlene joined the JHSBC Board of Directors in 2009 and is currently the President of the Northern JHS Board. Darlene is a practicing lawyer, a social and criminal justice advocate, and an affiliate of the Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada. She brings robust professional and volunteer expertise to the JHS, and a passion to champion for the most vulnerable people in our society.
Kyle Krawchuk
Kyle joined the Board of Directors in September, 2018. A public relations consultant with a professional background in communications, Kyle has greatly contributed to the development and implementation of JHS strategic planning efforts, media relations, and communication procedures.
Henri Cullinan
Henri recently joined the Board and brings 27 years of industry experience as a strategic community planner and affordable housing specialist. As a catalyst, his experience on integrated community planning, developing social purpose real estate, understanding grass-root level needs and aspirations, and communities at-risk as a vulnerable segment of the urban fabric, has positioned him to contribute through design-by-inquiry practices developing innovative programs incorporating affordable and supportive housing outcomes. He has the unique and distinctive ability to recognize urban complexities and offer social innovative outcomes at all levels of a project life cycle. His exceptional leadership as Chairman of the JHSOK is testimonial of his understating of our society’s dynamics.
Wendy Townsend
Wendy joined the board of JHSBC in October 2021 as a representative of JHS Victoria. She worked for 31 years as a program manager in federal correctional services. Wendy’s experience working with the incarcerated and parolees provides her with a unique view of the needs and challenges faced by those navigating the criminal justice system. She worked collaboratively to develop programs and opportunities to help address the needs of clients and feels fortunate to have done this meaningful work with Elders and local First Nations people. Wendy’s strong commitment to social and justice issues, and desire to serve the community, bring her to serve JHSBC.
Paul Barnett
Paul Barnett served as executive director of the John Howard Society of North Island from 1980 until 2007.
Following his retirement, he worked on several projects involving youth justice with Indigenous First Nations.
He is the past president of the Provincial Association of Residential and Community Agencies (PARCA), BC’s community justice federation.
He has been an appointed Bencher with The Law Society of BC since 2020.
Bursaries
Recognizing the foundational role that education plays in building safe, healthy and inclusive communities, the John Howard Society is pleased to have the opportunity to distribute the JD Hobden bursary to individuals who have been involved in the criminal justice system for the advancement of their education.
JD Hobden Scholarship Fund
Education is an important component of successful reintegration. An individual is much more likely to be successful in their reintegration back to community from a correctional facility with access to education. Although education is a proven and cost-effective means of reducing crime and increasing community safety, many incarcerated individuals face barriers to accessing these opportunities.
Through the generous support of the JD Hobden Book Fund Committee, the Dr. JD Hobden scholarship fund (a permanent endowment fund held at the Vancouver Foundation) provides financial support to individuals for the advancement of their education. Applicants who have been involved in the criminal justice system, who demonstrate the need and ability to gain learning and experience in a trade or other profession, may be eligible for a small bursary to advance their education at an educational institution in British Columbia.
For eligibility details, or to apply for the JD Hobden Educational Bursary, download the step-by-step application guide below.
Funders
We are fortunate to have a strong and diverse range of individuals, organizations, governments, and other stakeholders supporting the work of JHS across BC. It is recognized that we must work together to create safe, healthy and inclusive communities, and we are thankful to work in partnership with our funders to provide innovative, effective, and sustainable programming that meets the needs of the people we serve. For more details on our funding and the funding of the John Howard Societies across BC, please refer to the financial statements in our reports and publications section of our website.
