Our third annual Forum for Federally Sentenced Women has been scheduled for Wednesday, January 25th, 2012. This year the focus is on Housing. We have planned a day-long forum in which we'll address the development of a continuum of housing options for women leaving Grand Valley Institution for Women. Presenters will include women who are currently incarcerated at GVI as well as women who have been incarcerated but who are now living in the community. Their stories are very powerful and will demonstrate just how vital housing is.

The morning's keynote speaker is a woman who has experienced the challenges associated with trying to access safe housing after serving a federal sentence.  There will also be panel discussions featuring current and former prisoners as well as landlords who have rented to people with criminal records. The afternoon will be focused on brainstorming and critical discussion about how Waterloo Region can better support women leaving GVI in terms of accessing and maintaining housing.

This event promises to be informative and challenging and will highlight how critical safe and affordable housing is to remaining out of the criminal justice system.

A light breakfast and lunch will be available. There is no cost for this event. Registration and networking will begin at 9:00 and opening remarks will take place at 9:30.