Saskatchewan women leaving custody and attempting to reintegrate into society are receiving some provincial funding.

The government has committed to investing $280,000 each year until 2028 into the Elizabeth Fry Society of Saskatchewan to support the delivery of the Wikowin Supportive Housing Program. 

Elizabeth Fry Society Executive Director Nicole Obrigavitch says Wikowin, the chosen name of the program, is a Cree word meaning home, which underlines the society’s dedication to providing a safe space for women to heal and stabilize.

“Coming from a carceral setting, where you’re still sort of in survival mode, and getting people stabilized so that they have an opportunity to feel safe and supported and start dealing with some of the problems to face those challenges, I think that’s really the biggest issue.”

She says the most common challenges these women face upon leaving custody are addictions and trauma. The program aims to provide these women with access to safe, affordable housing and the supports they need to avoid falling back into the justice system through addictions services, income assistance and family reunification when necessary. 

Obrigavitch says the organization has overseen the support of 181 women leaving incarceration as of last July.  

“A lot of the women that are facing incarceration or have been incarcerated have addition issues and trauma. When you’re living in survival mode, you end up committing crimes or doing things you wouldn’t have normally done if you didn’t have those sorts of challenges in your life.”

She adds that some of the women they serve were unemployed prior to their arrest. 

“They don’t have, necessarily, the tools to just jump into employment. We also support women that were previously employed and just need maybe some trauma counselling or addition counselling.

This new agreement builds on the province’s previous relationship with the Elizabeth Fry Society, which includes a separate $330,000 two-year investment announced last year.