A new season is upon us and we are moving into an intentionally created restorative part of our summer. Before we take a pause, we are thrilled to share Restorative City Vancouver updates, work with organizations and communities, as well as upcoming events and free resources.
Below you will find:
Restorative City Vancouver Updates
We are proud to be the host organization for the Restorative City Vancouver initiative.
Our focus has been collaboratively writing the inaugural Restorative City Framework. We now have a comprehensive draft!
We thank the City of Vancouver for their partnership and for senior staff who are currently reviewing it.
Next steps include finalizing it with submissions of the draft framework to the governments of the three local First Nations and presentation to City Council.
We also look forward to then sharing it with you! Stay tuned. It’s a long labour of love.
Keep reading below for further updates including police training and advances with restorative neighbourhoods!
Restorative Complaint Resolution Training - Vancouver Police
Celebrating a second Restorative Complaint Resolution training for the Vancouver Police Department! We applaud those from the Professional Standards Section for implementing this new process as an option for complaints against police and also appreciate participants from the union, recruiting and Human Resources.
So far, three cases have been successfully resolved with this process that uses peace circles and we are hoping to keep this 100% success rate!
Dr. Evelyn Zellerer and Norm Leech are pleased to co-facilitate training and take yet another step forward in our bigger vision of becoming a Restorative City.
Restorative Neighbourhood Initiative
Hastings Sunrise Peacemakers
The cohort of peacemakers of the Hastings Sunrise neighbourhood initiative have been on a transformative journey over the last several months! You may recall our updates about their multi-day trainings with Raj Dhasi, Norm Leech, and Dr. Evelyn Zellerer.
The Hastings Sunrise Peacemakers have since been co-facilitating dialogue circles to put their new knowledge into practice. Circles have included with youth, staff, volunteers, and Boards. The learning continues through debriefs and feedback, in writing and in virtual circles. Meanwhile, the coordinating team is engaged in further visioning, outreach and building organizational capacities.
Peace of the Circle is grateful to partner with Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House and Hastings Sunrise Community Policing Centre. And we thank our funders for this initiative: the City of Vancouver, Law Foundation of British Columbia and Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General.
SafeGrowth Initiative in Strathcona
It was fun and informative being with the international team from SafeGrowth in partnership with the Strathcona Community Policing Centre and Strathcona Business Improvement Association to launch an initiative in the neighbourhood of Strathcona.
In the first of two workshops, a group learned about Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (1st, 2nd, 3rd Gen) and the SafeGrowth model, in a classroom and on the street. Three teams were then formed to work on a specific local issue.
The best way to learn is through experience, so in between the first and second workshops, three teams implemented what they learned about a 5-phase methodology by completing a project of their choice.
Congratulations to all participants for their great presentations and graduating from this course!
This is also a powerful contribution to the bigger initiative of Vancouver becoming a Restorative City.
Thank you for your great leadership & hosting Strathcona Community Policing Centre, Strathcona BIA, Strathcona Residents Association, Dan Turvill, Ekin Buran, Vincent Kwan, Greg Saville, Mateja Mihinjac, Anna Brassard. Thanks to all participants!!
Leadership Retreat
Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House
We love working with leaders and leadership teams!
It’s helpful for teams to occasionally step back and revisit how they work together. Too often people get swamped with what’s on their plates and meetings can be less than productive. It’s especially vital to gather when there are conflicts, changes or transitions and consider: what else is possible?
Dr. Evelyn Zellerer was delighted to facilitate a day retreat with the Senior Leadership Team from Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House. They met using our Circle process and dove into a deep, authentic discussion about their purpose, role, direction, and what to focus on in meetings as they move forward with some valuable changes.
Thank you Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House, Norm Leech and all the Directors for inviting and welcoming us to work with you. Thank you for all you do and congratulations on your impactful work. Exciting times ahead!
Peace Circles Trainings
Carcross/Tagish First Nation
It is uplifting to once again be celebrating Carcross/Tagish First Nation and the people who came together to learn about peacemaking.
Dr. Evelyn Zellerer is honoured to be a course developer and facilitator with C/TFN. Evelyn recently facilitated the final week of the Foundations course. She also met with peacemakers to complete their Level 2 course, which takes place over a few months. Participants on their final day shared about their co-facilitated Circles with justice professionals, young people learning traditional hunting/fishing, dads, and women.
Please join us in applauding each and every one who completed Foundations and who completed Level 2! Their graduation was a beautiful ceremony, with drumming and singing from the Tagish Nation Dancers. All took place in the spectacular setting of Haa Shagóon Hídi (Our Ancestors House).
Enjoy our short video journey of some highlights!
Thank you C/TFN for inviting us to work with you! Learn about this self-governing Nation with 6 clans in the Yukon.
Restorative Justice Conferences
Save the date & join us for the BC Provincial Restorative Justice Symposium.
October 29-30, 2024
Hilton Metrotown, Burnaby, BC
“Catalyzing Change: Building and Shaping Restorative Justice Culture with Communities”. Hosted by the Restorative Justice Association of BC
The Canadian National Restorative Justice Symposium is in Ottawa, Ontario.
November 18-19, 2024
The Alberta Restorative Justice Conference is in Edmonton on November 21-22, 2024.
With the theme "Moving Forward"
The 9th National Conference on Community & Restorative Justice in the USA is July 29 - August 1, 2024
Washington, DC
This year’s theme: "Re-Envisioning Our Legacies: A Defining Moment"
More Restorative Resources
In support of a world restorative justice social movement, Restorative Justice for All International Institute (RJ4All) has introduced the “International Restorative Justice Pledge”.
We signed the pledge and invite you to consider joining a world movement with us. Read the pledge and sign here.
The RJ4ALL e-library provides access to the largest free e-library on restorative justice and social justice.
Restorative stories have the power to transform. The Forgiveness Project collects and shares stories from victims/survivors and perpetrators of crime and conflict who have rebuilt their lives following hurt and trauma. Their work supports people in their own lives and also builds a climate of understanding, empathy, resilience and hope. Check out the many impactful stories and educational resources.
Congratulations on your 20th anniversary this year!
Zehr Institute Webinars
We recommend the Zehr Institute webinars. They are free and recorded for viewing at your leisure if you miss it live. Check out their library and stay tuned for new ones coming in the fall!
New Books Spotlight!
Becoming a Trauma-informed Restorative Educator: Practical Skills to Change Culture and Behavior
by Margaret Thorsborne & Joe Brummer, Jessica Kingsley Publishers (June 2024).
Justice from the Inside Up! A Restorative Justice Education Facilitator’s Manual
Written within Graterford Prison by Felix B. Rosado with Let's Circle Up, Living Justice Press.
We curate occasional highlights and invite you on a peacemaking journey.
Below are some of our recent updates, click to read more:
