|
 Peacebuilders International (Canada) is a charitable organization dedicated to building peace and ending violence by helping children and youth who have committed violent acts take responsibility for their actions, make reparations and learn how to make positive choices and move towards a life of nonviolence.
Our Mission: is “to create cross-cultural partnerships among youth and adults through capacity building for peaceful and sustainable communities.” In other words…. Most youth in the system come from extremely difficult backgrounds: from immigrant families who are constantly struggling to get by, from households with a single parent whose working hours leave them with no time at home or from families with parents with alcohol or drug addictions. Our Circles programs provide these youth with mentors and a support system which they previously may not have had, in order to help them get back on track and make positive changes in their lives. Our Programs: Our programs are based upon a restorative justice approach that successfully engages a young person who has either committed harmful actions within the community or school, or committed criminal offences under the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA). Based upon a process adapted from Aboriginal healing Circles, Peacebuilders serves Toronto’s multicultural, inner-city communities. Circles include the youth, the victim (if willing) or their representatives, family, school representatives and other community stakeholders. The Circle Process: Two trained Circle facilitators lead a Healing dialogue that tackles tough issues and finds a resolution by consensus within the group. The Circle process: creates a safe space for voices to be heard, for youth to feel comfortable addressing the roots of their violent behaviour and for a resolution to take place. The result is a holistic plan of action to resolve the conflict and help the youth to stay out of trouble and not resort to violence. Eligible youth must be: between 12 and 17 years of age and facing possible sanctions under the YCJA or under the Safe Schools Act, willing to take responsibility for their actions, and willing to take action to positively redirect their life. |
|
 What are Youth Circles?
Youth Circles help youth find alternatives to violence and crime with the goal of breaking the crime-and-punishment cycle once and for all. A “Circle” is a structured, group discussion led by trained “Circle Keepers” who use a “Talking Piece”. Circles include the youth,
the victim (if willing), family, school representatives, members from the justice system, and other community parties. A Youth Circle facilitates a healing dialogue that tackles tough issues and finds a resolution that is in the interest of all participants. The result is a comprehensive plan of action to help the youth stay out of trouble. Peacebuilders International (Canada) developed the Youth Circles process by adapting traditional Aboriginal circles to the
needs of multi-cultural, urban populations. Youth Circles combine a restorative approach with principles of interest-based, dispute resolution, consensus-building and best facilitation practice. Youth Circles Project Partners Peacebuilders International (Canada) is proud to work in partnership with
St. Stephen’s Community House Conflict Resolution Services, Pro Bono Law Ontario (PBLO), and Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). Who can be referred?- Youth aged 12 to 17, subject to the Youth Criminal Justice Act or Safe Schools Act, or any young person who fits one or more of the following criteria:
- Has been charged (excluding murder charges) and is either in pre-trial detention or out on bail.
- Is known, suspected, or at-risk of being involved with gangs.
- Resides, attends school, or works in the area south of Eglinton Avenue, between Humber River and Victoria Park Avenue.
For what types of cases?- Where charges could be or have been laid and will be processed through 311 Jarvis Youth Provincial Court.
- Where it would be more detrimental to the young person if charges are processed through the judicial system.
- Where the victim makes a request to deal with the offender in Youth Circles. In all cases, the young person must participate voluntarily and work towards finding a resolution for their actions. They must be willing to take responsibility for the consequences of their behavior and for any damage that may have been done.
Where can referrals come from?- School: The Principal or person authorized by the school to address bullying or other problematic behavior of youth, including major school incidents, pre-suspension or reintegration from suspension.
- Police: Officers who identify good candidates at the warning stage, cautions, post-charge or after identifying presenting behavior.
- Court: A Judge, Crown Attorney, Lawyer, Duty Counsel, Probation Officer or other court-serving agency at 311 Jarvis Youth Provincial Court (for diversions, cautions, pre-sentence, alternative to custody/detention; to minimize pre-trial detention; and for extrajudicial sanctions/measures, probation order condition, pre-sentence report, reintegration planning and Supervision Order Condition).
- Community: Youth workers and others who are in a position to know the youth in question.
- Parent/Guardian/Other: Any individual with a substantial connection to the young person who is aware of their needs and concerns.
- Youth: Youth may self-refer.
- Victims: Any victim of harm caused by a
- youth meeting the case criteria.
|
|
|
|
|
|
PEACE
