About Todd Foundation
The TODD Foundation began from the identification of needs that are being completely missed in our criminal justice system. The family and loved ones of those who are involved in the criminal justice system or incarcerated.
Todd Foundation Description
Our Mandate:
We believe that helping is healing. We strive for meaningful changes that create no more victims while holding people accountable.
Our Mission:
We offer support and advocate for all people impacted by crime and incarceration.
Our Services:
We offer information and resource sharing, supported referrals, a weekly support group, court accompaniment, visit transportation, confidential support and advocacy for those impacted by crime and incarceration.
Our Objectives:
To provide a safe environment where those impacted can share their journey and seek comfort.
To advocate for the humane and effective treatment of victims, prisoners and their loved ones.
To provide information about the Canadian criminal justice system.
To offer a connection to resources, support services and the Canadian criminal justice system.
To work with others to better the lives of those in need of our services.
All of our services are culturally sensitive, with special consideration for Aboriginal people.
We are committed to helping in any way we can.
From our members:
” I became involved in the T. O. D. D support group when my family member entered the criminal justice system. There were many questions and not a lot of answers to be found. The support group offers answers helps with support and brings people together dealing with the same problems that each person goes through while their family member is away. People from all walks of life are welcomed with open arms and treated with love and respect. Topics range from where to find support from agencies to the government. Each person brings their own ideas and views to the group to help others in their struggle to come to terms with their loss. This support group can save a lot of people from dealing with pain and loneliness by themselves. The more support you can offer the more you can achieve success. ”
“I came away from attending the support group feeling a little less alone and a bit wiser on what to expect, going forward. I only wish I had started them at the beginning of this awful journey so I knew what to expect right from the outset of charges being laid. ”
From our Founder:
The idea for T. O. D. D came from my families lived experience, the help that was offered to us and the needs of others like us.
The first night in prison for my brother was a dark one. Guards offered him a razor blade and encouraged him to take his own life. Given the nature of and high-profile factors of his crimes, prisoners also joined in. They chanted, yelled obscenities and kicked his cell door. My brother was alone, afraid, full of despair, consumed by darkness and was going to kill himself.
At the same time my family was struggling. Struggling with comprehending what my brother had done, how to cope, what to do and how to carry on. We were also full of despair and consumed by darkness. We love my brother and felt a need to show him. We got in our vehicles, drove to the Remand Center and without knowing where he was, we got out of our cars and we waved. In one of his darkest moments, when he was ready to give up, my brother saw us.
United in purpose we stood together and we waved.
We continued to wave and when it got dark, we flashed our headlights. My brother waved back and when it got dark he flashed his cell light. We continued to wave for forty-nine nights.
Together we are getting through the darkness and the despair.
My brother is alive today because of our efforts and our expression of love for him. He has said that he did not know that we loved him until after he committed murder. For me, this painful truth is telling.
T. O. D. D. stands for Together Overcoming Darkness and Despair and it is a depiction of what we, people impacted by crime and incarceration live.
Together we can be well by helping each other be well, helping our loved ones to become well and thus helping the community be well.