Resiliency Project
What is the Resiliency Project?
Resiliency refers to one’s ability to adapt well in the face of adversity; to recover quickly from challenging situations and significant stress; and to adapt to changing circumstances. Prison is a difficult living situation, where it can be challenging to maintain a positive attitude and keep strong family and community connections.
The Resiliency Project was designed to help incarcerated individuals develop positive well-being, strengthen family connections, and help build supportive relationships. It introduces participants to skills and tools to manage their thoughts, words, and actions in a way that will support them inside the prison and in the community.
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How did the Resiliency Project start?
In December 2020, the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) provided CFCN with funds to develop and facilitate resiliency sessions to assist those in federal prisons.
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The Resiliency Project is part of our Visitor Resource Centre (VRC) project, which began in Kingston Penitentiary in the early 2000s. The goal of this project is to keep family members connected and strengthen relationships as an asset to successful reintegration. Correctional research shows a link between positive family relationships and lower rates of reoffending.
"I’ve learned about self-awareness, self-care, boundaries, and forgiveness."
- Resiliency Project participant
How does it work?
The Resiliency Project includes a series of six sessions with a trained volunteer facilitator over the phone. The volunteer facilitator creates a safe, confidential space for learning and reflection. Each session covers a specific topic relevant to managing ongoing life while incarcerated, and to becoming more resilient in the face of change.
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The session topics are Self Talk, Supportive Relationships, Loneliness, Self Care, Anxiety, and Resiliency. Each topic is an important aspect of being resilient, and each elicits honest conversation about life events and action. There is flexibility within the sessions for the volunteer facilitator to tailor the material to the needs of the participant.​
"I appreciate being able to
talk about this with you (the volunteer) … not family,
not anyone in here,
not guys on the range.
It’s a different perspective."
- Resiliency Project participant
Who can participate?
This project is available to any incarcerated individual regardless of their level of institutional security, and regardless of whether or not they have ties with their biological family. CFCN considers ‘family’ to be those bonded by affection, kinship, dependency, or trust. Participants are referred to CFCN by Correctional Services staff. Individuals are encouraged to speak to CSC staff if they are interested in participating.
Contact us for more information or to get someone involved in the Resiliency Project.
"You taught me
to be hopeful.’
- Resiliency Project participant