Initiatives for Just Communities Inc.

Our four programs focus on individuals with intellectual disabilities and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder as well as people who are currently or were formerly in prison around Manitoba. Our programs engage people who have a heart for caring for others whether they are volunteers or employees in walking alongside our clients on their life’s journey. We encourage our staff and volunteers to live out their faith by working through the values of human dignity peace integrity and a Restorative Justice lens. Open Circle (operating since the early 1970s) connects volunteers to visit men and women in prison and offers caring non-judgemental support. El’dad Ranch (operating since the early 1980s) is a multi-faceted program that provides residential support vocational training and assistance and support for men and women with intellectual disabilities. It is located on a 20-acre parcel of land close to Steinbach Manitoba and has additional program space in the town of Steinbach. Circles of Support & Accountability (CoSA) (operating since 1998) engages community volunteers to form circles of support and accountability around individuals with high-risk offence cycles after their release from prison. CoSA Winnipeg is part of the national body of CoSA Canada which includes 16 programs spanning eight provinces. Touchstone FASD Program (serving since 2003) provides case management and direct individualized support to adults and older youth with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. As well they provide FASD awareness training to a variety of community groups. (teachers nurses police officers social workers and many others).