Elizabeth Fry Society to close its branch in Hamilton

A Hamilton organization that has provided support to women who are in conflict with the law for more than 50 years will be closing its doors at the end of the month.

The Elizabeth Fry Society Southern Ontario Region announced Monday the branch will shut down its operations on March 31 due to concerns about the ongoing viability of the organization."

The impending closure of the organization comes just months after both Catholic Family Services of Hamilton and Hamilton Mental Health Outreach announced their intentions to close this spring.

Each of those organizations pointed to financial troubles and staffing issues as reasons for their respective closures.

In a statement posted to both Facebook and Instagram, the organization's board of directors called the closure a difficult decision," noting that it remains committed to minimizing disruptions of service to our clients and stakeholders."

The Hamilton branch of the organization was established in 1971 and provides programming to women in the region who are criminalized or at-risk of being criminalized," according to its website.

That includes counselling, anger management, release planning, relapse prevention, court support and drop-in services. It also offers programming for sex workers and survivors of domestic violence, gender-based violence and other kinds of trauma.

We are working closely with the ministry, funders and non-profit service providers in Hamilton to ensure suitable arrangements can be made for women," read the post, which noted that the organization's commitment to its clients remains steadfast."

According to its website, the organization is funded by the Ministry of the Solicitor General, the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, the United Way of Halton and Hamilton, the Hamilton Community Foundation and the City of Hamilton.

Fallon Hewitt is a reporter at The Spectator. fhewitt@thespec.com