Community Connections Liaison

Job Description – Community Connections Liaison

Project

Title:

From Isolation to Inclusion:
Restoring Social Bonds for Justice System involved Muslims

Organization: Islamic Restoration Society - IRES

Location: Calgary, AB (Requires travel to regional correctional facilities)

Position Type: Part time, One year Contract (approx. 20–25 hours/week)

Salary: $25,000 CAD per annum

The Community Connections Liaison is the operational heart of the From Isolation to Inclusion Project
. This role is designed to mitigate the social isolation and "cultural disconnection" faced by Muslim and racialized individuals transitioning from provincial and federal custody under conditional release. The Community Connections Liaison will facilitate the "continuum of care" by bridging the gap between incarcerated life and stable, pro-social community integration in Calgary.

• Case Management & Intake: Act as the primary liaison for Federal (Drumheller, Bowden) and Provincial (Remand, Corrections Centre) partners to identify participants 6 months prior to release.
• Circle Facilitation: Lead Pro-Social Circles
  , creating a professionalized restorative framework focused on identity, personal growth, and accountability.
• Mentor Management: Recruit and train community mentors; oversee the "matching" process to ensure participants have immediate "bridging ties" upon release.
• Resource Navigation (Warm Hand-offs): Ensure 100% of participants are successfully connected to mainstream agencies (AHS, Calgary Housing, John Howard Society) while ensuring no cultural or religious gaps impede service.
• Evaluation & Outcome Harvesting: Maintain monthly "Change Logs" and facilitate focus groups to capture behavioral shifts, as part of the project’s commitment to the Calgary Foundation’s evaluation standards.
• Community Advocacy: Work with local mosques (Akram Jomaa, As-Salam, etc.) to reduce the stigma associated with "shame-based" community dissociation, fostering a culture of restoration rather than isolation.

• Professional Background: Degree/Diploma in Social Work, Criminology, or a related field, or 2+ years of equivalent experience in reintegration services.
• Systems Literacy: Deep understanding of the Alberta justice system and the specific systemic barriers (poverty, mental health, and stigma) facing racialized individuals.
• Cultural & Religious
  
  Competency:
  
  Proficiency in navigating the diverse ethnic and denominational landscape of Calgary’s Muslim community with a non-proselytizing, inclusive approach.
• Restorative Justice Training: Knowledge of restorative justice principles and experience facilitating group circles or peer-support sessions.
• Communication: Strong ability to bridge the "trust gap" between law enforcement (CPS/RCMP) and justice-involved individuals.

• Must be able to obtain security clearance for access to federal and provincial correctional facilities.
• Valid Class 5 Driver’s License and access to a reliable vehicle for outreach and community outings.