Learn more about
Our Journey
The path to a
Restorative Vancouver
Peace of the Circle, with director Dr. Evelyn Zellerer and an amazing leadership team, is proud to be the host organization
Our Approach & Successes
Creating a Restorative City is a massive, complex, exciting undertaking.
To successfully move such a multi-faceted initiative forward, a skilled and resourced team is required. Our leadership team is the heart and engine of the Restorative City initiative, doing tremendous behind-the-scenes work.
The approach of our leadership team and the Restorative Collective is to work restoratively to advance this transformative initiative, knowing that ‘walking the talk’ and being the change we wish to see is required. This includes being relational and holistic. Peace circles was chosen as a core methodology.
See our Four Guideposts that ground and guide everything!
This initiative has seen measures of success and is being recognized internationally. We published a chapter in: "A journey around restorative cities in the world: a travel guide" (European Forum for Restorative Justice, 2023).
Read annual highlights of our journey in 2025, 2024, and 2023 as well as updates in blog posts.
“I’m impressed with how far the Restorative Collective with the support of Evelyn and her team has come. This work takes persistence, courage, vision, and a willingness to ask hard questions. The system is not working well but it’s easy to sit back and maintain the status quo.
I thank everyone involved because every time we gather in circle, it reminds us that change is possible. In a world that can feel dark, this work lights up a path forward.”
~ Terry Yung, MLA for Vancouver-Yaletown
Becoming a Restorative City is not something the government or authorities can do to or for the community, it must be done with - everyone paddling together toward a shared vision.
Contact us if you are interested in joining this transformative movement!
Launching the World’s First Restorative City Framework!
Be inspired by highlights of our Restorative Vancouver event and be part of launching the world’s first Restorative City Framework! We offer a clear vision and guide for implementation.
The Restorative Collective along with special guests from across many diverse communities, First Nations, government, legal system, and more came together in a huge beautiful circle to celebrate, share, and collaboratively move forward.
Listen to examples of being restorative in action – from neighbourhood peacemaking to addressing gender-based violence, learning from Indigenous ways and more. It’s educational and uplifting to hear from leaders and organizations, including:
- Dr. Evelyn Zellerer, Peace of the Circle
- Norm Leech, Metro Vancouver Aboriginal Executive Council; Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House
- Kayah George, səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation)
- Stacey Williams, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation)
- Dalya Israel, Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre
- Clair MacGougan, Hastings Sunrise Community Policing
- Michael Wiebe, Metro Vancouver Regional Parks Foundation; Small Business Vancouver
- Diane Wilmann, Little Mountain Neighbourhood House
- Paristoo Nasiri, Strathcona Community Safety Association
- Jacqueline Michell, Vancouver Aboriginal Community Policing Centre
- Emilio Godoy, Youth Justice, Ministry of Children and Family Development
The Social Planning and Research Council of British Columbia honoured our leadership, community-building and vision - you’ll also hear a powerful sharing from Executive Director, Lorraine Copas.
The Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General is supporting this work.
We appreciate all the participants, comments, questions, and discussion!
Beautiful drumming and song were provided as our closing ceremony which also closes this video, from Richard Lavallee, Indigenous Liaison Coordinator, Vancouver Police Department.
And the food was delicious! Exceptional catering by Friendship Catering, a social enterprise supporting Vancouver’s Urban Indigenous community and Aboriginal Friendship Centre, was generously provided by SPARC BC.
This incredible journey continues. Join us!
The first Restorative City Framework has been launched. Our relationships and partnerships are strong and growing. Thank you to everyone who contributes to building a more conscious, peaceful world.
Our Restorative Vancouver Journey So Far
Key milestones since 2020 exemplify our approach and successes:
2020 - 2021
Extensive Strategic Outreach & Invitations
Peace of the Circle receives a provincial grant from the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General to build partnerships for restorative justice in Vancouver.
Extensive, strategic outreach and meetings with over 70 diverse stakeholders occur over several months.
Two educational and visioning sessions were very well attended.
2021 - 2022
Building Relationships & A Strong Foundation
Building on phase 1, a second provincial grant from the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General is received to support:
- ongoing relationship building
- facilitated meetings using a peace circle process
- identification of the group's shared values
- a commitment to decolonizing and learning what that means
- site visits hosted by participating organizations
- strategic planning discussions
This culminates in a consensus by the Collective to "go big" and collaboratively move forward with their strategic objective to become a Restorative City.
2022
Restorative Collective Vancouver & City Motion Passed
The group calls itself the Restorative Collective Vancouver, and their work leads to a City Council motion making Vancouver the first in Canada to commit to becoming a Restorative City.
The Collective chooses Peace of the Circle with director Dr. Evelyn Zellerer to continue to lead and host this initiative. Funding from the City of Vancouver and a provincial grant enabled ongoing outreach, relationship building, and 10 facilitated meetings with the Collective throughout the year, with strategic discussions, educational sessions, ceremony on the land, and training.
The Collective also came to a consensus to build Restorative Neighbourhoods as part of becoming a Restorative City.
2023 - 2025
Developing a Restorative City Framework, Neighbourhood Launch, & Implementation
The Restorative Collective Vancouver continues to evolve and grow, with facilitated meetings in circle and ongoing partnership building. The leadership team of Peace of the Circle expands to keep up with the enormity of work.
The team meets with many political leaders, including the Premier, Attorney General of BC, Ministers, First Nations, and City Council.
Presentations and workshops are provided. Momentum and recognition are growing. This includes an international publication and a provincial award.
Post municipal election, the new Mayor and Council includes Restorative City initiatives in its Strategic Priorities 2023-2026.
The Restorative Collective chooses Hastings Sunrise for the first restorative neighbourhood initiative. City and provincial grants enable a project to be launched with three lead organizations.
The Vancouver Police Department launches a new Restorative Complaint Resolution program. Independent facilitators develop training and resolve four civilian complaints using a circle process.
The Equity Office, City of Vancouver, creates a new workplace restoration team.
The team, Collective, and small working groups discuss and vision what a Restorative City for Vancouver could mean, all contributing to our inaugural Framework. Lead author Dr. Evelyn Zellerer immerses in writing and working with leaders across featured sectors for finalization and approval of their sections.
2026
Launching the Restorative City Framework & Further Implementation
Peace of the Circle completes and shares our inaugural Restorative City Framework with the four local governments — City of Vancouver, xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱ wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) — and with leaders of the Province.
The world's first Restorative City Framework is publicly launched, through an in-person event and virtual webinar. Recordings are available on our YouTube channel.
The first restorative neighbourhood initiative with Hastings Sunrise continues and expands, with support from the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General.
The Restorative Collective continues to meet for relationship building, implementation updates, dialogue, and determining next steps.
Further funding is sought to enable the work and journey to continue and expand.