The Jesuits of Canada have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Future Hope, a Winnipeg-based organization that supports men after incarceration. The agreement puts into writing a relationship that has existed since Future Hope’s founding in 2001 and sets the stage for deeper collaboration in the years ahead.
Future Hope was co-founded by Sr. Carol Peloquin and Fr. David Creamer, SJ in response to a gap they saw in services for men leaving prison. With little support available, they began gathering with recently released men to offer mentorship and a sense of direction. That early work became the foundation for what Future Hope is today — a well-established organization offering transitional housing and reintegration support.
The Jesuits have been part of the story since the beginning. Over the years, numerous Jesuits have lived in the residence; they have served on the board, offered spiritual direction, and mentored dozens of staff and residents. Until now, that relationship had never been formally acknowledged. With this MOU, Future Hope is now officially recognized by the Society of Jesus as a Jesuit-endorsed work.
“This is a natural step for us,” said Fr. Jeffrey S. Burwell, SJ, Provincial of the Jesuits of Canada. “We helped found Future Hope, we’ve stood by it all these years; now we’re simply putting into writing the partnership we’ve already lived.”
The agreement does not change how Future Hope operates. The organization remains a non-profit, governed and led by an independent board. What the MOU offers is a renewed sense of clarity — a recognition of shared values and a commitment to ongoing dialogue, pastoral presence, and joint discernment where appropriate.
Future Hope continues to focus on the long, often difficult process of reintegration. Its Next Step Program begins before release and walks with men through their first months back in the community. The support includes mentorship, recovery assistance, housing guidance, and help finding work. For those who need a place to live, Quixote House and Massie House offer safe, stable housing — one a communal space; the other more independent.
For many, it is the first time they’ve had a key to their own front door — and someone to talk to at the end of the day.
Dr. Michael Caligiuri, Chair of the Board of Directors, sees the MOU as both a recognition and an invitation. “The Jesuits have been part of our story since day one,” he said. “This agreement gives our relationship clarity and direction. It reminds us who we are — and who we walk with.”
The Jesuit endorsement fits within a broader commitment to justice and reconciliation. As the Society continues to discern its mission across Canada, partnerships like this one — rooted in trust, led by lay collaborators, and focused on people at the margins — are increasingly important.
For both Future Hope and the Jesuits of Canada, the MOU marks not a shift but a confirmation. This is not a new relationship; it is a shared journey that now has a name — and room to grow.
