Members

Bill Mudge House, Community Supportive Living

Laren Society: Journey From Inside Out

138 Dallas Road
Victoria British Columbia
V8V 1A3

  • Web www.laren.ca
  • Email mudgecrf1@shaw.ca
  • Phone (250)381-7949
  • Fax (250) 381-5661

Director

  • Name Allan Turnbull
  • Position Executive Director
  • Phone 250 -381 -7949
  • Email mudgecrf1@shaw.ca

Main Contact

  • Name Allan Turnbull
  • Position Executive Director
  • Phone (250) 381-7949
  • Email mudgecrf1@shaw.ca
Bio:

Allan Turnbull began his career in Montreal as a counsellor at Shawbridge Youth Centre working with youth in conflict. Shortly after moving to British Columbia he began work for the Ministry of Social Development in Terrace as a Family Support Worker, Co-ordinator of a Special Services to Children's contract and Director of a halfway house for children in need of protection. In the late 80's he was employed by the Laren Society as a caseworker in Victoria at the Bill Mudge House House and shortly thereafter became the Executive Director. He graduated in Montreal from Marie-Victorin College, in the field of Special Education and graduated in Victoria form the International College of Chinese Medicine.

Programs & Services

Therapeutic Environment: Community Supportive Living

We value a culture of inclusion, empowerment, mutual respect and honesty. We embrace vulnerability, acknowledge pain, admire brilliance and nourish goodness. We believe that social connections are the essence of strong families, effective communities and productive citizenship.

We use a holistic approach in helping our residents’ attain a balance within themselves and the community. Life at our house is an experiential program; its group living in a supportive empowering environment which provides residents’ with a unique opportunity to re-establish themselves in the community and move to a self-supporting living situation.

Positive relationships make the transition meaningful and are the fabric which most directly affects the healing process. Our caseworkers as part of the resident support team are professional, experienced and committed to working with individuals in developing and achieving goals. It’s a partnership with a common purpose and it works.

Houses

Halfway Houses across Canada play a major role in lowering recidivism and thereby provide an invaluable service to enhance public safety.

For the individual contracts with CSC the houses provide a direct link to the community and dollar for dollar an incredible return for service.

This service includes a vast number of community members which make up the various not for profit Boards, their Volunteers, Society Members and working staff.

Bill Mudge House, Community Supportive Living

Resources


Description

Description:

In House Amenities:
There is free cable & internet access in each bedroom. On the main floor there is a communal TV, computer and one resident phone line. There is a laundry facility in the basement. We provide a world renowned food service. Our cooks make dinner every night and men make their own breakfast, lunch and snacks. The cooks purchase all the food for the house and cater to individual dietary needs. We also have gardens and leisure space on the property.

Close by Amenities:

We are within walking distance from downtown Victoria. (20 min.) There is a bus stop right across the street, parking in front of the house and a bike rack in the back yard. Low income residents have access to a monthly/$10.00 YMCA pass and through the Life Program – 45 drop in swims at Chrystal pool. We are situated across from the ocean on Dallas road in the quiet residential neighbourhood of James Bay.

Mission:

The Laren Society: Journey from Inside Out is a non-profit organization working with the criminal justice system to help people make a successful transition to a responsible life in the community. To achieve our vision we offer:

A communal home setting for men on conditional release;

A broad spectrum of support that promotes and encourages personal growth and renewal;
and Public education on the benefits of supervised community re-integration.

Through the delivery of our services and harm reduction strategies, we experience a high rate of success in reducing recidivism and thus promoting public safety.

  • Beds 7 single and 2 double rooms
  • Population Male
  • Age 18+
  • Sources CSC,Supplemented by Laren Society
  • Exclusions All applicants will be assessed for residency By the Victoria Programs Board and our Community Selection Committee.
  • Criteria Applicants who: 1. Have demonstrated a commitment to change past patterns of behaviour. 2. Have developed a realistic release plan. 3. Have earned the support of their institutional Case Management team. 4. Show a willingness to participate in community based programming.

Application Process

I.P.O's must send all applications for residency to the Victoria Parole Office. Perspective residents are screened twice a month at the Victoria Parole Office Programs Board meeting. Present are the Directors from Manchester House, Salvation Army and Bill Mudge House as well as Victoria Parole Officers and the Manager of Community Programs.

Men are encouraged to write letters to the Director of Bill Mudge House introducing themselves and outlining their request.

Men are encouraged to attend the 2 information fairs a year set up by the John Howard Society for British Columbia Institutions.

Community Involvement

The Laren Society's members and friends are made up of citizens whom promote community safety, accountability and are actively involved in meeting the challenges for effective communities. Central to their core values is the role that community facilities full-fill in the safe return of men back to community.

We have a representative from the community at large that sits on our selection community and reviews all requests for residency.

We have a member from the James Bay Housing Co-op (are immediate neighbours) that sits on our monthly Board of Directors' meeting.

Local Parole Office

Victoria Parole Office
  • Phone 250 - 363 - 3267
  • Fax 250 - 363 - 3260