Author: Better Life Admin

Better Life Integration and Support is a volunteer movement whose mission is to develop and deliver faith-based social and restorative justice programs that foster community safety and mitigate the impact of crime on those who suffer from its consequences.

This is a very strange season! On a personal level, social distancing and the restrictions it brings seem surreal.

When it comes to Better Life, however, the current restrictions (in particular, having no access to Federal Corrections Institutions!) represent challenges, but not barriers.

What I mean by that is that men and women within Corrections, whether they be in an institution, or out on parole, are having a very similar, if not more unsettling and uncertain experience than even the general population.

Therefore, this isn’t a time for Better Life and our volunteers to step away, but rather to lean in. In this season our support means more than ever!

The news media and our conversations with Corrections Canada have also made us aware that the threat of COVID-19 may mean non-violent offenders and men and women who are nearing their parole may be released early.

We’re not yet sure what this will mean logistically (where will they go? who will be ready to accommodate them?), but we need to be prepared for a significant number of men and women who will need our support.

While we cannot physically enter any of the Corrections Institutions (Institutional Chaplains have recently been laid off, as well as those considered nonessential Institutional staff, to reduce the potential for introduction and spread of COVID-19), we do have a number of avenues of support available to us:

For those we already have a relationship with inside the institutions, we are sending postcards to let them know we’re thinking of them, and to provide contact information to them.

For those who are already on parole, we are meeting (in person, when it’s possible to practicing safe social distancing), and also connecting over the phone and through video (Zoom calls, etc.)

Again, the uncertainty of our time compels us to offer an even greater level of support.

If you’ve volunteered with Better Life in the past, or would like to find out more about volunteering, please contact us at admin@betterlife.email

We would love you to join us again in our Better Life commitment to develop and deliver faith-based social and restorative justice programs that foster community safety and mitigate the impact of crime on those who suffer from its consequences.

But for today, I want to focus on one point:

A better life is possible for each of us.

I haven’t experienced the extreme challenges of being incarcerated and the many obstacles to experiencing a better life upon release. But I do know firsthand that life is messy and full of challenges that often seem overwhelming—even insurmountable.

To share some of my own story, my parents were divorced when I was a child, and I was raised by single mom. My dad’s second wife suffered debilitating mental illness and committed suicide at a very young age. I developed a deep mistrust of people—even the very people I should have been able to trust.

I preferred to be around animals because I believed they wouldn’t let me down, and though my teenage years were filled with turbulence, I worked toward a future in Veterinary Medicine. However, I continued to experience significant pain, especially when a girlfriend proved to be unfaithful. My mistrust of people was again reinforced.

Though I was pursuing my dream, I felt like I carried the weight of the world on my shoulders. I would often imagine the worst case scenarios and had the crushing sense that ultimately I alone was responsible for experiencing a better life.

What became a game changer for me was an encounter with God.

Faith in God provided traction and direction in my life in so many different areas. The stability that came from my relationship with God and a community of faith began to develop and reinforce my ability to trust in people and experience meaningful and healthy relationships.

My experience, even though it may be radically different that yours, gives me the confidence to offer you the hope that faith and a personal connection with a faith community provides.

At Better Life, we understand our role as that of a facilitator.

Our Vision is that every individual who wishes to be in a faith-based mentorship relationship would have access to it.

If that vision resonates with you, please get in touch to discuss volunteer opportunities via info@betterlifecanada.org or 778-807-6520, or consider making a donation to support our work.

Please also don’t hesitate to reach out to us if our support can be of value to you, and please stay tuned. I’ll be posting a recurring blog series digging into how faith and a relationship with a faith community really is a game changer for a better life.

Adam Wiggins

General Director

Better Life has been in the process of redesigning its website and branding and it’s finally here!

Welcome to our new website. Come check it out and have a look around. We are thrilled to share it with you. We will have this news section to share updates and what is happening with Better Life as well as an events section. We will be able to post any events and trainings hosted by Better Life.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead

Thank you for continuing to support Better Life. Together we can make a big impact.

Volunteers and Resources

Currently the volunteers and resources sections are under construction. We are working to get these launched soon. Thanks for patience and we are thrilled to be able to provide these resources for you soon.