Jubilee of Prisoners: Building a Community of Hope

The Friends of Dismas, named for the “good thief” who was crucified alongside Jesus, is an organization that assists former prisoners by offering them material assistance and community. Deacon Kevin Daudlin, coordinator of the Toronto Dismas Fellowships, reflects this ministry in light of the Jubilee of Prisoners celebration taking place from December 12 to 14.

1. How did this ministry get started?

In 2003, a small group of people got together to discuss how people of faith might come together to better welcome home those returning from prison. From these informal discussions, the idea of creating a fellowship was born. Using other support group models as examples, a dozen or so people made up of ex-prisoners and volunteers gathered in a church basement in October 2003 for the first Dismas Fellowship, which consisted of a simple meal followed by a time of sharing in a circle. Since then, we have grown to a dozen communities in Ontario with a few more in the works for 2026. We are driven by the story of St. Dismas in Luke 23:42-43. Personally, I am reminded of our duty to former prisoners from Jesus’ charge in Matthew 25:35-45.

2. How has it grown over the years?

Through the Friends of Dismas, our charitable arm, we have developed the Get Ready For Life Program, the Restorative Justice Housing Project, who broke off on their own a couple of years ago, and the Dismas Fellowship Network.

The original Toronto Dismas Fellowship meets in the east end of Toronto at the Danforth Mennonite Church. This past July, we were very proud when we expanded to the west where we meet at Christ Church, St. James. Our future plans are hopefully to one day be in the north, something more central and to one day reopen in Brampton. Durham Region, Mississauga and Barrie also are potential sites for us. However, it takes volunteers who are willing to dedicate their time to help others.

Our core values describe us best, in that everyone contributes, either by helping cook the meal, setting up or cleaning up afterwards. For those that are able, they contribute to the meal financially or by bringing food items to share. We are not supported by any government agencies, so rely one hundred percent on the generosity of others.

3. In his bull of indiction for the Jubilee Year, Spes Nos Confundit, Pope Francis urged governments to “undertake initiatives aimed at restoring hope… meant to help [prisoners] regain confidence in themselves and in society; and programs of reintegration in the community.” Where do you see hope in this particular ministry?

Our ministry is a safe haven for former prisoners to meet with others who know what they have been through. Our vision is to build a community of hope by enabling people of faith to get involved in creative and healing ministry to persons touched by crime. We have many stories of hope, such as this story of Gordie on our website, which really sums it up.

4. How can others within the Archdiocese participate in this mission?

We are always looking for volunteers. You can contact us to volunteer on our website. You can also find us on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook.