John Howard Society of Kingston and District

09/04/2026

🧡 Walk for Truth and Reconciliation - September 30 🧡

Join the Kingston Native Centre and Language Nest (KNCLN), the City of Kingston, and members of the Walk for Truth and Reconciliation Working Group, Sherry Elliott and Patrick Brant, as we come together to recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day.

We invite the community to gather at Skeleton Park at 5:00 PM for opening words, with the walk beginning at 5:30 PM as we make our way to Confederation Park. Along the route, participants will share drumming, and singing. All are welcome to bring their prayers, drums, voices, and regalia.

This community-led walk honours Survivors of residential schools, remembers the children who never returned home, and creates space for reflection, learning, and collective action toward reconciliation. We are grateful to Sherry and Patrick, whose dedication, leadership, and commitment have helped guide this Walk for many years and continue to inspire community participation today.

An Every Child Matters Kingston Transit bus will accompany the walk to support those with accessibility or mobility needs. Participants are welcome to ride the bus and take part alongside community. The bus will travel with the walk, remain downtown during the gathering, and return participants to Skeleton Park at 7:30 PM.

🎨 The artwork on this year's promotional materials features artwork by Damian Bark, whose logo on the poster design has become a meaningful symbol of the Walk and its message of remembrance and reconciliation.

🧡 Orange shirts are now available for purchase at KNCLN, with proceeds supporting Friendship Centre programs and services for Indigenous community members.

All are welcome. Come as you are, and walk with us in remembrance, truth, and community.

08/28/2026

Looking for something creepy to do this Halloween season? Our friends at John Howard Society of Durham Region operate this hunted fundraiser in Bowmanville.

Do you know what we have in store for you? :-)

08/25/2026

💬Did you know we offer FREE Record Suspension (formerly, know as a pardon) Application assistance. Last year we helped guide 35 clients through the process.

Join John Howard Ontario for a one-hour Lunch & Learn featuring three experienced record suspension professionals sharing practical guidance on navigating the process from start to finish.
Topics include key procedural requirements, common challenges applicants face, how to approach long-form application questions, and expert tips for avoiding common mistakes.

Whether you're pursuing a record suspension yourself or supporting clients through the process, you'll leave with valuable insights to help build a stronger application.

Click the link to sign up for this session:

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08/20/2026

Please join us for the John Howard Society of Kingston & District's 2026 Annual General Meeting, as well as a special celebration marking 25 years of Connect Youth.
📅 Date: September 15, 2026
🕐 Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
📍 Location: Maitland Tower, 1243 County Road 2, Augusta, ON

This is an opportunity to come together and reflect on the past year, celebrating our successes, acknowledging the challenges we have faced, and recognizing the growth and impact made possible through the support of our community, the changes made by our clients, and the dedication of our staff.

We will also take time to honour the remarkable 25-year legacy of Connect Youth and its contribution to supporting young people in our region.

We hope you can join us as we look back on an important year and look ahead to the opportunities and aspirations that lie before us.

Please RSVP by contacting Patty McLaughlin at [email protected] or by completing the online RSVP form:
AGM RSVP 2026:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/st0SS1qdKg
We look forward to celebrating with you.

08/19/2026

We are currently recruiting Indigenous identified folks with SEPH - KFL&A Public Health to provide their perspective on decriminalization. If you would like to share your perspective you can participate in a one-on-one session or watch for a talking circle at a later date.

08/10/2026

The impact of deaths in custody reaches far beyond the walls of correctional institutions. These losses are felt deeply by families, friends, and communities who are left to grieve and carry the lasting consequences.

On Prisoners' Justice Day, we honour the lives of those who have died in custody and reflect on the changes needed to prevent future tragedies. Prisoners' Justice Day originated as a day of non-violent resistance to penal repression, led by incarcerated individuals in memory of Eddie Nalon, who died alone in the segregation unit at Millhaven Institution on August 10, 1974. First observed in 1975, the day gained further momentum in 1976 when prisoners at Millhaven called for a one-day hunger strike to protest the use of solitary confinement and to advocate for prisoners' rights. The action also commemorated Robert Landers, who, like Nalon, died alone in segregation.

The issues raised by Prisoners' Justice Day remain relevant today. Between 2014 and 2021, 192 people died in Ontario's provincial correctional institutions. Behind each statistic is a human life and a grieving network of loved ones. These deaths underscore the urgent need for meaningful reforms, including improved access to healthcare and mental health treatment, expanded rehabilitative programming, greater accountability, and increased transparency within the correctional system.

➡️ Swipe to learn more.

📌 Read John Howard Ontario's full report here: https://lnkd.in/ghvkCTFZ

08/10/2026

💦💦Looking for Donations of Water Bottles 💦💦
Our Brockville office at 125 Stewart Blvd in Brockville is in need of water bottles for our clients who are unhoused. If you would like to donate a case of water please drop by the office between Monday to Friday 9am to 4:00pm and see Patty!
Thank you in advance.

08/04/2026

🚌 Need a ride to the 2026 Tyendinaga Traditional Pow Wow?

KNCLN is grateful to the Kewaywin Team for supporting transportation again this year to the Pow Wow!

📅 Saturday, August 8, 2026
📍 Bus departing from KNCLN, 218 Concession St, Kingston
⏰ Please arrive by 9:30 AM — bus leaves at 10:00 AM.

Registration is required - please contact [email protected] or call 613-544-3065. Spots are already starting to fill!

Registration Link: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/VLAMVNFfFT

08/02/2026

Do you have experience attending virtual criminal court? The John Howard Society of Ontario is completing a research project on the impacts of virtual courts.

Book an appointment to share your lived experience and you will receive a $35 gift card for your time. Click the email to book a time or speak with a JHSKD staff member for assistance:
email: [email protected]