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About the Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver

At EFry, we take a gender-responsive approach to reducing criminal justice involvement by ensuring that women and children affected by crime and its risk factors have the support they need to build brighter, more stable futures.

Providing gender-responsive support

Women, youth, and children face disproportionate challenges due to homelessness, poverty, and systemic barriers—leaving them among the most marginalized in our society. For over 85 years, EFry has been a trusted advocate, standing alongside those at risk, involved in, or impacted by the justice system.

At EFry, we take a gender-responsive approach to reducing criminal justice involvement by ensuring that women and children affected by crime and its risk factors have the support they need to build brighter, more stable futures.

Each year, we help thousands of women and children regain stability, security, and hope. Through safe housing, justice advocacy, children’s programs, and community-based supports, we address immediate needs while creating lasting pathways to independence, well-being, and opportunity.

Our Vision

To have stronger communities by ensuring women and children impacted by crime and its risk factors can access the supports necessary to build positive futures. Those in conflict with the law need more positive interventions than incarceration.

Our Mission

To support vulnerable women, girls and children in achieving their potential. With the right support, we know that individuals facing difficult circumstances can transform their lives—and those of their families—for the better.

Our Guiding Principles

Commitment to Anti-Racism

EFry acknowledges that racism and discrimination are real and present in our communities and the systems in which we work. As an equity-seeking organization, we are committed to eliminating racism and discrimination in all its forms. Our goal is to provide culturally safe, effective, and inclusive services that improve the well-being of racialized and marginalized individuals, ensuring that everyone can reach their full potential.

EFry acknowledges the systems in which women and children are provided care are not responsive to the impacts of trauma, colonization, systemic racism, and discrimination and we commit to:

  • Offering services that are gender-responsive, trauma-informed, and responsive to the experiences of those we serve.
  • Acting in a fair, just and unbiased manner. and acknowledging that doing so does not preclude the existence of unconscious, unacknowledged, or unintended discrimination or racism.
  • Examining our own practices and biases and acting to implement change where needed.
  • Leveraging our privilege to advocate for systems change to create a society that is fair, just, and offers an equitable opportunity for all.

Membership & Accreditation

Our Team

Our History

Reports & Publications

Resources

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