Central Okanagan Elizabeth Fry Society respectfully acknowledges that we are situated on the unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan peoples. We recognize our privilege to live, work, and serve our community on this land, and take responsibility in providing culturally competent and anti-oppressive practice throughout all the services we provide. We stand in solidarity with Indigenous peoples as they mourn and seek truth about their missing children. We take accountability to raise awareness and educate ourselves to create change in a structurally broken society.

The first Elizabeth Fry Society was established in BC more than 70 years ago.

Founded in 1972 as a sister-Society of the Elizabeth Fry Society of BC, and incorporated in 1982, the Central Okanagan Elizabeth Fry Society’s work is guided by the historical legacy of caring and compassion of Elizabeth Fry, an English social reformer who lived from 1780 – 1845. Her belief in the inherent dignity and worth of every person continues to live on in our work more than a century later.

From the age of 18 she took an interest in the poor, the sick, and the prisoners. She collected old clothes for the poor, visited those who were sick in her neighbourhood, and started a Sunday school in the summer house to teach children to read.

She became well known in society. Some people criticized her for having such an influential role as a woman. Others alleged that she was neglecting her duties as a wife and mother in order to conduct her humanitarian work.

One admirer was Queen Victoria, who granted her an audience a few times and contributed money to her cause. Another admirer was Robert Peel who passed several acts to further her cause including the Gaols Act 1823.

The Central Okanagan Elizabeth Fry Society, along with other members of the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies honor her memory by advocating for women’s rights and supporting victims of crime.

Mission

• Our mission is to support and empower survivors of intimate partner violence, child abuse and sexual assault, exploitation, or violence. 

Vision

• We envision a community in which all are safe, equal, and empowered. 

Values:

Equality - We will be fair and equitable with all individuals.

Inclusiveness - We will be open and inclusive in everything we do.

Integrity - We will be honest and have strong moral principles to engender trust amongst our clients, staff, and stakeholders.

Respect - We are respectful of all individuals regardless of their race, gender, religion, beliefs, or personal situation.

Accountability - We accept responsibility for our actions and behaviors.

Guiding Principles: 

• We believe in the dignity and inherent worth of all people.

• We believe that gender-based violence impairs or nullifies the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

• We believe that the responsibility for abuse lies not only with individual offender but with society; we also believe that services to empower those who have been abused should be a societal responsibility.

• We believe that individuals who have experienced abuse have a right to accessible, specialized therapy.

We are 1 of 24 Sister Societies of the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies (CAEFS).

CAEFS is an association of self-governing, community based Elizabeth Fry Societies that work with and for women & girls in the justice system.

”At CAEFS, we are working toward a world without prisons.

We believe that more effective, life affirming, and just forms of accountability – ones that take harm and healing seriously and look to transform societal structures that perpetuate inequity – are both possible and necessary.

While our 24 local member societies do the crucial work of providing front-line services, our national team takes on the key issues that impact criminalized women and gender-diverse people by defending prisoners' rights, building our community's capacity, and raising public awareness.”

For more information on CAEFS, please head to www.caefs.ca.