About EFry Toronto

We advocate for alternatives to the criminal justice system and raise awareness about systemic oppressions that put women in conflict with the law

1951-1952

A Brief History—

from a one-room office

in 1952

History

Elizabeth Fry

In 1951, a group of women from the First Unitarian Church Toronto met to discuss prison reform with Agnes MacPhail, Canada’s first female Member of Parliament. This meeting resulted in the founding of the Elizabeth Fry Society, Toronto Branch incorporating as a non-profit in 1952.

From a one-room office on Jarvis Street, the agency has grown into its current location which provides counselling, support programs, and transitional housing.

Phyllis Haslam

Our Mission

Elizabeth Fry Toronto delivers gender based, trauma informed services and advocates for justice and equity for women and non binary people who are criminalized and their families

Our Vision

We envision communities where women are not criminalized.

Our Values

COMPASSION

We honour women’s voices, experiences and resilience and prioritize women’s mental, spiritual, physical and emotional health.

EQUITY AND INCLUSION

We are a feminist organization and we challenge oppression in all its forms.

EXCELLENCE

We foster a collaborative culture based on self-reflection, continuous learning, effective partnerships, quality improvement and evidence based practice.

ACCOUNTABILITY

We are responsible to ourselves and to our stakeholders for using resources appropriately, communicating honestly and acting with integrity.

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MEMBERS OF THE BOARD

The Elizabeth Fry Toronto Board of Directors is comprised of inspiring women

with rich diverse skills and experiences.

President

Venus Sayed

Vice President

Lauriana Mandody

Secretary

Shabnum Durrani

VIEW ALL MEMBERS OF THE BOARD

Meet the EFry Toronto Team

Our compassionate and caring staff committed to excellence

LEADERSHIP TEAM

416 924 3708 Kelly Potvin, Executive Director, ext 256
kpotvin@efrytoronto.org Sheila Baroro, Director of Finance & Administration, ext 240
sbaroro@efrytoronto.org Vibhuti Mehra, Director of Programs, ext 263
vmehra@efrytoronto.org Ermelina Balla, Manager of Community Outreach & Employment Supports, ext 253
eballa@efrytoronto.org Iren Tajbakhsh, Manager of Counselling and Court Services, ext 238
itajbakhsh@efrytoronto.org Lucy Gudgeon, Manager of Residential Program, ext 250
lgudgeon@efrytoronto.org

ADMINISTRATION

416 924 3708 Financial Administrator, ext 237
financial@efrytoronto.org Communications & Fundraising Coordinator, ext 234
fundraising@efrytoronto.org Volunteer & Community Services Coordinator, ext 248
communityservices@efrytoronto.org

COMMUNITY OUTREACH & EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT

416 924 3708 Best/ Pre Employment Counsellor, ext 244
best@efrytoronto.org My Start-Up Employment Program Coordinator, ext 241
employmentcoordinator1@efrytoronto.org Employment Program Coordinator
employmentcoordinator2@efrytoronto.org Exit Doors Here Outreach/Housing Counsellor, ext 252
driley@efrytoronto.org CTI Counsellor, ext 231
CTIspecialist@efrytoronto.org CTI Counsellor, etx 260 Ctispecialist1@efrytoronto.org Outreach/CTI Counsellor, ext 298 outreachcti@efrytoronto.org

COUNSELLING & COURT SERVICES

416 924 3708 Reintegration Counsellor, ext 232
reintegration@efrytoronto.org Healing from Abuse Counsellor, ext 251
HFATservices@efrytoronto.org Parenting Counsellor, ext 243
motherswhocare@efrytoronto.org Community General Counselling Counsellor, ext 249
CGCservices@efrytoronto.org PAR Counsellor, ext 247
parservices2@efrytoronto.org TREM Counsellor, ext 261
TREM@efrytoronto.org TREM/PAR Counsellor, ext 262 TREMPAR@efrytoronto.org Reach Out to Women (Jean Tweed), ext 254 Client Intake Counsellor, ext 230
clientengagement@efrytoronto.org Court Services Direct Accountability 416 593 4267
cjwcollegepark@efrytoronto.org Direct Accountability dap@efrytoronto.org

RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM

416 924 3708 Housing Worker, ext 244
housingworker@efrytoronto.org Residential Staff, ext 233
residencestaff@efrytoronto.org

Women, You Are Inspiring

Your support is both crucial and necessary. We hope you will contribute to our efforts

to make Elizabeth Fry Toronto a place where women feel safe and supported

Support Women's Rights & Freedoms

DONATE

Thank You to our Donors & Partners

In the light of the COVID-19 crisis, your support becomes more crucial and necessary in ensuring that we are able to provide services to women who are relying on us now more than ever.

Our Programs & Services-and the many women we help depend on your support.

DONATE TO PROGRAMS & SERVICES

SUPPORT WOMEN IN OUR COMMUNITY