Renovations began this week at the residential building of the Elizabeth Fry Society of New Brunswick (EFryNB), in Saint John.
EFryNB helps women and gender-diverse people who have been incarcerated and their families, providing support and guidance to help create positive change for themselves and their communities.
Executive Director, Judy Murphy says they bring a perspective of supporting and helping the whole person. Housing is a critical starting point for people released from prison.
“It’s hard to move beyond where you are if you’re still trying to be comfortable and safe and secure,” said Murphy.
EFryNB removes a barrier for people towards being socially included in the community through providing housing. They currently house nine residents.
“What we hope here is we can provide that safe, secure place, offer a way to come together with other people and feel they have a base and be able to be part of something more than just themselves,” she said.
The organization’s kitchen is being redone and expanded to create a larger space where residents can prepare meals, do activities together and socialize, further fostering a community and foundation.
EFryNB’s chart of programs and projects (Image: Elizabeth MacLeod)
Tuck Studio is furnishing the space, with the electrical work and construction being done by KV Electric and Manchester Construction.
Tuck Studio owner, Judith Mackin said her parents did a lot of work helping prisoners reintegrate into society and she began volunteering and working with EFryNB 15 years ago. Mackin reached out to Murphy last December to inquire how the studio could be of better service to the organization.
“I felt like, especially during COVID, we’ve all been isolated, and I can only imagine what it’s like for the women to feel that isolation,” said Mackin. The goal is to have a modular space with foldout chairs and tables for workshops, talks and activities.
The studio is also working with EBFryNB on a GoFundMe fundraiser to update its utilities, such as a new fridge, oven and kitchen table and chairs.
Mackin’s goal is that when people contribute to the fundraiser, it will become part of their annual donations and help sustain EFryNB in the years to come.
“My experience in Saint John is that it’s such a generous community, and often people just don’t even know that there’s a need, a lot of people don’t even know what the Elizabeth Fry Society is,” she said, adding the fundraiser will outline various areas to which people can donate.
“I want that when the women come down and they’re sitting at their table or they’re cooking, they’re being honored,” she said. “I think that’s a really important thing to think about, that you are worthy and you do deserve everything that everybody else has.”
This story was originally published on Huddle.Today – an Acadia Broadcasting Limited content partner.
