Unlocking The Gates Services Society

09/04/2026

Full job description
About Us
Unlocking the Gates (UTG) is a fast-growing nonprofit organization providing peer support to individuals involved in the justice system. We believe in the power of lived experience to guide and support others as they transition back into the community.
Position Overview
We are seeking a male Peer Outreach Worker to support individuals leaving Correctional Centre's in the mainland. This role involves outreach, connecting with clients the day they are released, and linking them to community services and resources that can support their success.
Key Responsibilities
Provide peer support to individuals involved in the justice system.
Conduct outreach in the community to connect clients with services/resources.
Build trusting relationships and reduce barriers to accessing supports.
Maintain accurate and timely reporting as required.
Qualifications
Must have lived experience of incarceration.
Must be out of the system for a minimum of 1 year.
Minimum of 1 year drug-free.
Must hold a valid Class 5 driver’s license.
Must have access to a reliable vehicle.
Knowledge of local community resources/services is an asset but not required.
Basic computer skills (Excel experience an asset).
Compensation
Starting wage: $30/hour.
Mileage reimbursement provided.
How to Apply
To apply or request more information, please email: [email protected]
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: From $30.00 per hour

03/30/2025

We are hiring in Nanaimo
Unlocking the Gates Services Society is a fast-growing nonprofit organization that offers peer support to folx who are being released from correctional centres in BC>
We would like to hire 1 individual in Nanaimo to support folx with their transition into the community. They would be required to pick folx up from correctional centre's and connect them to serves/ resources in the community. Support folx’s who have probation and those with warrants in the community.
You must have lived experience of incarceration, been out of the system a minimum of 1yr, 1yr drug free, and have a reliable vehicle and a class 5. Some knowledge of community resources/services would be an asset but not completely necessary. Computer skills with excel would be a bonus but not a game changer.
Starting wage is $30 an hour plus mileage.
For more information you can phone 778 938-2584 or
Email: [email protected].

01/17/2024

Call for Writing for New Book Raising Hope

Raising Hope is a book that focuses on the experiences of children with incarcerated parents. We are looking for writing from people with lived experience of incarceration who have been separated from their children, and what that experience has been like for them. How did you stay in touch with your children? Did you lose them from your life? What happened when your children came back into your life after incarceration.

We are also looking for the voices of children who have been separated from their parents due to incarceration, and what that experience has been like through the years. How were you able to stay in touch? What happened to your relationship with your parent? When reunited, what happened?

What are the challenges, the things that worked, what didn’t. Expectations are high; hopes are raised. Raising children through and post-incarceration is a challenge that needs to be better understood. Thus we, three editors of two previous books, Arresting Hope, and Releasing Hope, imagine that this book will be your book to tell your journey, to speak to institutions and policies that fail to support families in times of crisis, and to bring your story to the page.

Please share your feelings, your stories, your memories, your hopes, your challenges, so that those parents and children. What do you think you did right? What do you think you could have done differently.

Grandparents are welcome to share their stories as well, as everyone is impacted when a child’s parent goes to prison. How could the community and system support grandparents, parents and children, youth, young adults? Is forgiveness and new beginnings possible?

This book will be published and any profits will be donated for educational scholarships. You can write anonymously or have your name published. We are looking for poems, stories, or black and white artwork that you want to share. If you are more comfortable telling your story, we will be happy to transcribe the recording that you send us.

Please send writing to [email protected]

08/18/2023

We were out at the hub all day in Maple Ridge. UTG & BCCDC partnered on a pop up event to offer hep C testing. We had poutine food truck and had some of our amazing staff there to offer peer support and connection to hep c treatment along with a brand new phone to stay connected to our staff who will support folx through their treatment process.

If you know someone who is in conflict with the justice system or are unhoused and have hep C, hep B or HIV please reach out to out intake number 604 518 3261 9-4pm Mon-Fri

Chances are we might have a peer in your community who can connect with you to assist you in accessing treatment.

Treatment for hep C is 8-12 weeks with 1 pill a day and no more nasty side effects. Get cured now and stop the damage to your organs.

Many thanks to everyone who helped make this happen today

Unlocking the Gates Services Society Unlocking the Gates Services Society (UTG) is a peer-led, non-profit organization that supports the reintegration of individuals who are being released from correctional facilities in British Columbia. We connect with individuals prior to their release, and provi...

08/10/2023

In solidarity we remember those who didnt make it out

08/05/2023

If you have hep c or want to get tested please reach out to UTG. We can help link you to a care provider. And if you choose I can connect you to a peer from UTG to walk along side you through the treatment process, assist you in getting to appointments, and navigating testing, blood work.
Fortunately there's no longer any nasty side effects with treatment. In 8-12 weeks you can be cured. Stop the damage to your liver now!
unlockingthegates.org

Hepatitis B & C don't wait, so neither will we.
We need policies that take a health equity approach to eliminating hepatitis B & C. Now.
​Read the recommendations for each province and territory at www.actionhepatitiscanada.ca.

, Adrian Dix

Unlocking the Gates Services Society Unlocking the Gates Services Society (UTG) is a peer-led, non-profit organization that supports the reintegration of individuals who are being released from correctional facilities in British Columbia. We connect with individuals prior to their release, and provi...

03/17/2023

I'm excited about this event! Unlocking the Gates & The New Mexico Project ❤

03/14/2023

Is your old
record
making it
hard to build
a stable life?
What is Pardon Me?
EFry’s Pardon Me is program created to help qualifying people navigate and afford the criminal record
suspension process (also known as a pardon).
Who Qualifies?
Record suspension eligibility varies. You may be eligible if it has been at least 3 years since you completed
your sentence. EFry will help you figure out if you qualify and move through the process if you do.
Pardon Me is a free program and if your pre-tax annual income is $25K or less, EFry will cover
mandatory government fees.
Visit www.efry.com/pardonme for more information
or email us at [email protected] or call us at 604.520.1166.
EFry’s Pardon Me program may be able to help.
When your record is suspended, you can truthfully reply “no” on job or housing applications that ask if you have a record.

Contact Email us at: [email protected] Or call us at: 604-520-1166 Is your old record making it hard to build a stable life? EFry’s Pardon Me program may be able to help.   What is Pardon Me? EFry’s Pardon Me is program created to help qualifying people navigate and afford the criminal record s...

11/07/2022