Danisha Bhaloo ’07 BA had law school in her sights when she decided to study criminology at the University of Alberta. But halfway through her program, her path changed.
“I had to do practicums at two different agencies,” says Bhaloo. At the Elizabeth Fry Society, she attended court to help women accused of offences understand the trial process. Bhaloo also worked at the John Howard Society, helping victims of domestic abuse understand the legal system.
Working with troubled people isn’t easy, but it was a natural fit for Bhaloo, who understood the complex social issues underlying crime. “There’s always that stigma with offenders, that they’re bad people and wasting taxpayers’ dollars,” she says. “Not a lot of people get to know them as people.
”Bhaloo “fell in love” with helping people – both victims and perpetrators of crimes – find ways out of their existing circumstances. “And I realized I didn’t need a law degree to do it,” she says.
After a brief stint as a Probation Officer, Bhaloo became Director of Programming for the Edmonton Inner City Children’s Program …
Danisha Bhaloo is involved with the Ismaili Council for Edmonton as chairperson of the Aga Khan Youth and Sports Board for Edmonton.
Click here to read more of her story Work of Arts | Community leader helps at-risk youth.
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