Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA) is a community-based reintegration program designed to support people newly released from prison who have been convicted of sex offenses, admit to committing these offences, and request CoSA's help to prevent further offending. CoSA-Ottawa is one of currently 18 Canadian cities operating CoSA programs, representing approximately 150 to 200 Circles that aim to:

• Prevent further victimization through accountability; and
• Assist former offenders become increasingly responsible and productive individuals through support.

CoSA works with former offenders, who we refer to as "Core Members", who have been held in prison to the end of their sentence and typically have little or no community support and are considered a high-risk to re-offend. Core members participate voluntarily, and must therefore commit to leading a positive, crime-free life.

The Core Member and three to five community volunteers comprise the Circle. They meet individually and as a group on a regular basis to:

• Challenge the Core Member's behaviours and attitudes that may be associated with his offending cycle;
• Support the Core Member's community reintegration by facilitating his practical needs (i.e. access to medical services, social assistance, seeking employment/affordable housing, etc.) and by providing a consistent network of emotional support; and
• Develop constructive and pro-social strategies and solutions to everyday problems and concerns as well as celebrate successes.

CORE MEMBERS

Seeking assistance is indeed the first sign of serious commitment to turning one's life around and to never committing another offense. CoSA-Ottawa requires a completed application package if you are interested in applying for a Circle which includes: a Letter of Interest and Bio, a Program Application Form and a Consent Form to allow CoSA-Ottawa access to your CSC file. These documents are available from:

Once your application has been reviewed by the Screening Committee, the Program Coordinator will contact you. We will arrange to meet with you before a decision is made of your suitability based on a number of criteria including: being held to the end of your sentence (WED) in a federal correctional institution for committing a sexual offence and may serve a long term offender sentence in the community.

If approved by CoSA-Ottawa, and once you have joined a Circle, a Covenant, or agreement, is signed by the Core Member, volunteers and Program Coordinator for a minimum period of one year (this can be renewed). The Covenant, tailor-made for each Core member, lists any specific legal requirements and outlines expectations and responsibilities of all Circle members. The Covenant is reviewed throughout the year, along with the Core Member's Relapse Prevention Plan and other unique considerations.

Since CoSA volunteers do not act as therapists, consultation with the Core Member's network of professionals is essential. Individuals applying for a Circle are asked to provide consent for CoSA-Ottawa to discuss their case with involved professionals and with the Correctional Service of Canada. By doing so, we are better able to understand each Core Member and provide a more effective and holistic approach to community reintegration.

Referrals from Professionals

Professionals interested in referring an individual to CoSA-Ottawa can complete the following Referral Form and send it to the CoSA coordinator (see contact info below). To assess this person's suitability for the program, he will be required to sign a Consent Form to allow open communication regarding his case and access to his file. Please contact the CoSA coordinator to discuss a referral.

VOLUNTEERS

Mature, committed and responsible individuals are welcome to participate in CoSA-Ottawa’s Training Program. Prospective volunteers must:

• Participate in and complete the Basic training;
• Complete a screening process including: a police background check (cost covered by CoSA), provide two character references and attend a volunteer interview;
• Make a commitment to CoSA for one year.

The Basic Training involves interactive information sessions intended to acquaint the public and potential volunteers with CoSA, sexual offending and its impacts on victims and the community.

Anyone aged 21 or over is welcome to participate. Attending the training does not obligate the participant to become a CoSA volunteer.

The Advanced Training takes place following approval as a CoSA volunteer. Professional development sessions are intended to provide practical and meaningful opportunities to enhance the support provided to volunteers - the cornerstone of Circles of Support and Accountability – on topics that are relevant to the unique work that we do.

DONORS

Since its inception, CoSA-Ottawa has relied upon and gained the support of individuals, communities, organizations and foundations. The stigma associated with sex offending - especially against children - has brought corresponding financial challenges, which we hope will both improve through education and, ultimately, engagement. In fact, preliminary research has demonstrated that men participating in CoSA sexually reoffend 70-80% less than those who do not. (Wilson et al, 2005)

Your contribution will help CoSA-Ottawa provide vital public safety services that benefit our community, and is tax deductible. Please take a moment to consider contributing to, what many consider, an essential service. You can find a downloadable Pledge Form here.

CoSA-Ottawa NEWSLETTER New!!

• We're looking for a good name for our newsletter - prize goes to the best submission!



• February 2010 Newsletter - Vol 1, Issue 1.



• May 2010 Newsletter - Vol 1, Issue 2

MAY 2009: CoSA Resource Library

Thanks to volunteers Christy and Selena, the CoSA-Ottawa Resource Library is ready for lending!

Library categories include: CoSA and Sex Offending; Crime and Victimization; Healing and Hope; Mental Illness and Related Challenges; Personal Development; Relevant Issues and Religion; and Restorative Justice.

If you are interested in learning more about CoSA and related topics, feel free to contact CoSA-Ottawa. Materials are in print, audio and video formats.

Contributions to the library are also welcome.

MARCH 2009: CoSA-Ottawa Volunteer Retreat

Thanks to the Ontario Trillium Foundation, many of our volunteers were able to attend our first ever Volunteer Retreat at Temple Pastures in Gatineau, Québec. The goal of the retreat was for CoSA volunteers to be better able to deal with compassion fatigue and continue in their role as mentor.

The Retreat consisted of:

• An Introduction to Meditation session facilitated by Jim Moore, Joyful Land Buddhist Centre, on the evening of Friday March 13, 2009 and
• A full day workshop on Compassion Fatigue, facilitated by Rita Myers, counselor at The Men's Project, along with her co-facilitators, Lynn Crossan and Terry Dyer-Adams, on Saturday March 14, 2009.

Volunteers reported that the sense of unity with other CoSA members was of greatest value. The organizers thank the fabulous volunteer cook Maristela Carrara for contributing to the warm and relaxing environment.

Feedback from evaluations demonstrated that participants benefitted most from spending time with each other in order to build relationships and provide support to one another. Becoming more aware of self-care was the second most valuable aspect of the retreat for respondents. In fact, 92-100% of participants "strongly agreed" that they obtained enhanced knowledge and skills that will contribute to their capacity to deliver meaningful volunteer support as a result of participating.

NOVEMBER 2008: CoSA-Ottawa received funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation

We are extremely grateful for the support received from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, allowing CoSA-Ottawa to increase its capacity to provide valuable community-based reintegration services.

The one-year funding will allow us to accomplish a number of goals including: hiring a part time program assistant, Susan Haines (a long-time CoSA volunteer); holding the first ever Volunteer Retreat; purchasing much-needed equipment to conduct our volunteer training program and community presentations; and increasing the hours of our dedicated Program Coordinator, Susan Love.

Thanks so much to the Ontario Trillium Foundation!

May 2008: Benefit Concert

A benefit concert to support Circles of Support and Accountability was held at St John's Church on Saturday, May 24, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. The evening opened with Detective Wendy Leaver, from the Toronto Police Service Sex Crimes Unit, and long-time CoSA volunteer, who spoke eloquently about her experience in the program.

The concert featured the talents of The Cambridge Male Chorus and local singer/song-writer Dave Andrews, both who donated the proceeds of the event to CoSA. Please click here to view photos from the concert.

CoSA is extremely grateful for everyone's generous participation and contribution. Thank you all.

Members are encouraged to read more about self-care and the ABC's of transforming compassion fatigue in our new Volunteer Retreat Report.

CoSA-Ottawa is grateful to:
Community Volunteers
The staff and congregation of the Church of St John the Evangelist, Ottawa

Funders:
The Correctional Service of Canada, Chaplaincy Services
The Ontario Trillium Foundation    
The National Crime Prevention Centre, Public Safety Canada   
The Community Foundation of Ottawa