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Programs & Services

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Bill Mudge House

Our Programs

The Bill Mudge Residence is a community supportive living environment operating under the (not for profit) auspices of the Laren Society: Journey from Inside Out. Returning to the community can be a challenging time. Here at the Bill Mudge House we work through the challenges of life together.

This is a place of healing and recovery. Life at our residence provides you with a unique opportunity to re-establishing yourself in the community and move towards a self-supporting living situation. The staff team is committed to being inclusive, honest, respectful and empowering during your time with us. It is a partnership with a common purpose that has proven to be effective over the years.

One of our highlights is the food program, which includes a daily dinner prepared by our private cook. You will not have to spend any money on food during your residency. Therefore, you will have the opportunity to maximize your financial savings for your eventual transition to independent living in the community. A house brochure has been included in this package so you can take a first-hand look at what we have to offer. Amongst the other amenities, we have seven bathrooms and three laundry rooms available to our seventeen residents. Each of our bedrooms are single rooms and residents are not required to share living quarters.

The Laren Society has been providing services to the community since 1974, with an emphasis being placed on prison justice, reform and public education.

CHOICES Program

The CHOICES community reintegration program was created with the understanding that everyone comes from a set of unique life experiences, backgrounds, and circumstances. For this reason, no two CHOICES plans are the same, as each plan is custom made to address the specific needs, wants, and risk factors of each participant. CHOICES is designed to provide newly released offenders with the structure, resources, supports systems, and skillsets required to become law-abiding citizens who can make a positive contribution to society.

Support System

  • Clinical Counselling - Confidential one-to-one counselling sessions facilitated by a Registered Clinical Counsellor.

  • Mentorship - One-to-one mentorship from an individual who has served time in prison and has since well-established themselves as a positive member of the local community.

  • Foundations - Intensive therapeutic journaling workshop.

  • Caseworker/CHOICES Facilitator - Weekly one-to-one meetings with their assigned support team.

  • House Meetings/Socials - Monthly dinners with the Executive Director, other residents, staff, and community supports at Bill Mudge Residence.

Rehabilitation

  • Healing Trauma and Addiction - 8-part video lecture series that provides the participant with insight into the relationships between trauma & addition as well as the tools for effective healing.

  • Non-Violent Communication (Compassionate Communication) - A communication method that based on the principles of compassion and empathy to obtain interpersonal harmony in expressing feelings, needs and requests.

  • Inside Out SMART Recovery - Sobriety maintenance program specifically designed for parolees to prevent substance abuse relapse and recidivism. Participants have access to the course material as well as online/in-person SMART Recovery support meetings.

  • Alcoholics Anonymous/ Narcotics Anonymous Meetings - 12-step meetings that take place in the community to support those who are in recovery from substances and/or alcohol abuse.

  • Life Ring Meetings - Group support meetings which emphasize personal responsibility, individualized recovery plans, self-empowerment and peer support.

Indigenous/Spirituality

  • Awakening the Warrior Within  - This program provides an opportunity for Aboriginal men to gain a deeper understanding of violence and its impact of self, family and community.

  • Healing Circle (NO LONGER IN OPERATION)

  • One-to-one Elder Meetings - Spiritual guidance and support to participants. with and Elder with ability to conduct smudging ceremonies at Bill Mudge Residence and attend Sweat Ceremonies in the community.

  • Better Life Reintegration and Support Society - Serves recently released individuals from any religious background and are introduced to spiritual caregivers, mentors and places of worship.

Community Functioning/ Life Skills

  • Green Clean - Volunteer garbage pickup along the shoreline of Dallas Road beach.

  • Computer Lessons - Basic computer lessons that will assist with community functioning.

  • Personal Health - Access to a local recreation center for exercise.

  • Life Skills - Basic cooking lessons with the Kitchen Manager.

  • Career Development - Meeting with a Career Development counsellor to build a resume, search for employment, teach interview skills, training/certification, course upgrades and supplementing the cost of work gear.

  • Transportation - Participant will be given a bus pass and guided in how to use the transit system to familiarize themselves with the local community.

Freedom Project

Freedom Project Canada is an organization dedicated to realizing the Freedom Project mission and vision in Canada.  Freedom Project Canda is an official affiliate of Laren Society.   

The Freedom Project Canada volunteer facilitators go into William Head Institution once a week to help participants transform blame, anger and criticism into understanding, effective communication and peaceful resolution of conflict.

The workshop has 10 sessions and the facilitators and the men sit in a circle which creates a feeling of belonging and connection, and a sense of equality. 

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