CoSA BC
Circles of Support and Accountability
Member of CoSA Canada
Our Story
CoSA (Circles of Support and Accountability) is a volunteer-driven, community-based program that mentors and holds accountable, released offenders convicted of a sexual offense to prevent reoffending.
CoSA B.C. (formerly known as CoSA Vancouver Fraser Valley (or CoSA VFV), has operated since 2003. It started in the Fraser Valley and expanded to include Metro Vancouver in 2010, spanning over nine cities and regions. Initially working with individuals released from Federal Corrections, it eventually took in those released from Provincial Institutions.
As a non-profit organization registered under the Catholic Justice Services Society, it has approximately 100 trained volunteers who provide leadership, mentoring, support and accountability to released offenders convicted of sexual crimes (referred to as Core Members or CMs). The volunteer base is wide with ages ranging from their late 20s to 80s and includes people from diverse ethno-cultural, work and faith/no-faith backgrounds. Currently CoSA B.C. operates anywhere between 40-45 Circles at any given time.
Correctional Services Canada (CSC) was the initial funder of CoSA and supported it through contracts with Catholic Charities Justice Services and M2W2 from 2003 to 2015. CSC resumed support for CoSA B.C. in the fall of 2020. CSC continues to be an integral part of CoSA B.C., working closely with our staff both inside and outside the federal correctional institutions. From its inception, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver has supported CoSA financially and with personnel.
CoSA B.C. maintains a positive relationship with our community stakeholders and partners, working closely with multiple police forces, probation and parole offices, and other non-profit community organizations.
Beginning in 2009 Public Safety Canada, through the National Crime Prevention Centre, provided five years of funding for a national demonstration project in partnership with CoSA Canada. Public Safety Canada initiated new 5 year funding again in 2017 through CoSA Canada. Federal funding ran its course in 2021, making it necessary for CoSA BC to find new sources of funding to support and expand the program and meet a vital community need. We solicit ideas and appreciate any kind of financial help.
Over the past 20 years, CoSA B.C. has worked with over 300 Core Members who completed their sentences and sought to return to the community in a safe and crime-free way. Working with them so they become productive and responsible citizens, our collective goal is "no more victims".
Our Story
CoSA (Circles of Support and Accountability) is a volunteer-driven, community-based program that mentors and holds accountable, released offenders convicted of a sexual offense to prevent reoffending.
CoSA B.C. (formerly known as CoSA Vancouver Fraser Valley (or CoSA VFV), has operated since 2003. It started in the Fraser Valley and expanded to include Metro Vancouver in 2010, spanning over nine cities and regions. Initially working with individuals released from Federal Corrections, it eventually took in those released from Provincial Institutions.
As a non-profit organization registered under the Catholic Justice Services Society, it has approximately 100 trained volunteers who provide leadership, mentoring, support and accountability to released offenders convicted of sexual crimes (referred to as Core Members or CMs). The volunteer base is wide with ages ranging from their late 20s to 80s and includes people from diverse ethno-cultural, work and faith/no-faith backgrounds. Currently CoSA B.C. operates anywhere between 40-45 Circles at any given time.
Correctional Services Canada (CSC) was the initial funder of CoSA and supported it through contracts with Catholic Charities Justice Services and M2W2 from 2003 to 2015. CSC resumed support for CoSA B.C. in the fall of 2020. CSC continues to be an integral part of CoSA B.C., working closely with our staff both inside and outside the federal correctional institutions. From its inception, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver has supported CoSA financially and with personnel.
CoSA B.C. maintains a positive relationship with our community stakeholders and partners, working closely with multiple police forces, probation and parole offices, and other non-profit community organizations.
Beginning in 2009 Public Safety Canada, through the National Crime Prevention Centre, provided five years of funding for a national demonstration project in partnership with CoSA Canada. Public Safety Canada initiated new 5 year funding again in 2017 through CoSA Canada. Federal funding ran its course in 2021, making it necessary for CoSA BC to find new sources of funding to support and expand the program and meet a vital community need. We solicit ideas and appreciate any kind of financial help.
Over the past 20 years, CoSA B.C. has worked with over 300 Core Members. Working with them so they become productive and responsible citizens, our collective goal is "no more victims".