Future Hope to help parolees take the Next Step
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Harlen Card is an accomplished professional who gives back to the community, but that wasn’t always the case.
“Into my 20s, I was a very selfish person. I wasn’t great,” he says.
He was out of shape, unhappy and faulted others for his problems — until, he says, he realized one day he had no one to blame but himself. From there, he set about improving his mental and physical health and finding work he was passionate about.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS
Louis Balcaen (left) and Harlen Card (right) volunteer on the board of directors at Future Hope, a non-profit that supports men who are leaving prison.
Asking people for help and reading books aided his evolution. Volunteering was also a key part of his self-actualization.
“To have an impact, I need to go out and do something for someone,” he says.
Now 34 and an officer with the Canada Revenue Agency, Card has volunteered with Future Hope for nearly a decade. The non-profit organization helps individuals rebuild their lives as they transition back into society after being incarcerated.
Future Hope runs Quixote House, which offers transitional housing for parolees, and Massie House, a block of affordable apartments where parolees can live independently. But the charity’s foundational program is Next Step, which supports men who want to help themselves attain an independent life.
One Next Step group is for inmates at Stony Mountain Institution who are preparing for release. It meets twice a month. The other group is for parolees and meets every week in a church in Winnipeg’s West End.
Each meeting begins with an educational component aimed at helping group members develop life and social skills, and ends with a sharing circle where participants can talk about what’s on their mind and receive support from their peers.
The meetings are facilitated by a Future Hope staff member and supported by volunteers such as Card.
“This is a group of people who join the program because they honestly want to do better,” he says. “They want to leave that part of their lives behind — where they were at potentially the lowest point — and they want to find something better.”
Carol Peloquin, a nun and former chaplain at Stony Mountain, started Next Step in 2001. Future Hope was incorporated 10 years later.
Today, the organization works with about 80 men at any given time, says Kim McIntyre-Leighton, who co-ordinates Next Step.
Volunteer opportunities
The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can help people find opportunities. To learn more about its programs and services, go to wfp.to/volunteers or call 204-477-5180. A blog post at wfp.to/iOu contains more information on how to spread kindness this holiday season.
The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can help people find opportunities. To learn more about its programs and services, go to wfp.to/volunteers or call 204-477-5180. A blog post at wfp.to/iOu contains more information on how to spread kindness this holiday season.
Fort Dauphin Museum is hosting Christmas at the Fort on Nov. 29, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. They are many opportunities for volunteers who can decorate, supervise children’s activities, help in the kitchen, prepare treat bags, serve hot chocolate and cookies, or assist with parking and snow clearance. Apply at fortdphn@mymts.net or 204-638-6630 by Nov. 26.
Volunteers are needed for the 40th annual Christkindlmarkt (German Christmas market) at Fort Garry Place mall from Nov. 28 to Nov. 30. Roles include setup and takedown, serving hot food, and staffing donation and chocolate tables. Email ckm@gccmb.ca by Nov. 27.
Extra Life Winnipeg needs a graphic designer/illustrator to craft visual identity and marketing materials for an upcoming fundraiser event. The successful applicant will create a cohesive brand (logo design, font selections) and additional collateral such as a slide deck and poster template. Apply at wfp.to/iOY by Dec. 15.
Zoo Lights runs from Nov. 21 to Jan. 1. The Assiniboine Park Conservancy relies on volunteers to help guests enjoy a magical experience. Volunteers keep guests informed, safe and comfortable. They will enjoy a number of benefits, including free zoo tickets, Zoo Lights branded gear, snacks and hot chocolate. The more people volunteer, the greater the rewards. There are a variety of positions available. Must be 18 or older, and comfortable spending four to five hours outdoors (with breaks). Apply at wfp.to/iO4 by Dec. 20.
West Broadway Youth Outreach needs youth workers. They will play a key role in supporting programs for children ages 4 to 12 by helping prepare, facilitate and wrap up daily activities such as arts and crafts, literacy programs, games and field trips. They will also help with light administrative tasks, help steward donations and support events as needed. Being in high school, college or university (or a graduate in a field such as education, child care, recreation, psychology or social work) is a bonus, as is having a driver’s licence and non-violent crisis intervention training, but these are not required. Email wbyokidz@gmail.com by Dec. 31.
The Fred Douglas Society is seeking passionate, community-minded people to join its board of directors. The organization provides services, compassionate care and programs that foster dignity, independence and meaningful connections. The board meets monthly, usually on the third Wednesday of the month. Email ccalder@freddouglas.ca by Dec. 31.
The Alzheimer Society of Manitoba needs volunteers to help support the Minds in Motion program, which brings people living with dementia and their care partners together to enjoy gentle chair fitness, followed by activities and conversation. Email Tiana Alphonso at talphonso@alzheimer.mb.ca by Jan. 1.
Apathy is Boring needs people ages 18 to 30 for Winnipeg RISE. The program provides training, resources and funding to help youth in designing and leading a community project. No experience is required. Apply at wfp.to/imR by Nov. 30.
The Canadian Red Cross Society needs volunteers in Manitoba for programs such as Smart Start and Disaster Risk Reduction. These roles involve leading sessions on climate change and emergency preparedness, and require effective communication skills and cultural sensitivity. Volunteers might also join the emergency responder and personal disaster assistance teams to help during disasters. Training and background checks are mandatory. This opportunity offers experience in public speaking and crisis management. Send a resumé to SmartStart@RedCross.ca by Dec. 31.
In addition to supporting participants and planning social activities, Card provides financial and employment advice. He also serves on Future Hope’s board of directors.
Louis Balcaen is also one of the board’s 12 directors. The retired farmer and property developer started volunteering in the chapel at Stony Mountain in 2004 and got involved with Future Hope about a decade later.
Balcaen’s current responsibilities mostly involve board work and fundraising activities, but he previously served with Next Step. The 84-year-old says his good fortune in life motivates him to volunteer.
“I’m truly blessed,” Balcaen says. “I still have good health and I was successful in business and I need to share. I need to share this health and wealth that I have, and it makes me feel good to do that.”
Balcaen and Card say that volunteering with Future Hope has given them a better understanding of what life behind bars looks like, the complex reasons why people commit crimes and the sincere desire many parolees have to change their lives for the better.
Card thinks of one participant, an “incredibly friendly” man who spent time in multiple institutions across Canada before being paroled. He didn’t have any family or friends to rely on, but with support from Future Hope, he now has stable housing and a job he enjoys.
“It makes me so happy that I get to be a part of that,” Card says. “It’s a treat knowing this individual and that’s only one story like that.”
To learn more, visit futurehope.ca/get-involved.
If you know a special volunteer, email aaron.epp@freepress.mb.ca.
Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. He was previously the associate editor at Canadian Mennonite. Read more about Aaron.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. He was previously the associate editor at Canadian Mennonite. Read more about Aaron.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
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