Our Services

• When RJCK receives a referral for a case that would benefit from Pre-Charge Diversion, the agency makes contact with the offender, then victim(s) to determine eligibility and willingness to participate in a conference.
• Following assessment of offender, and pre-conference meetings with all involved parties, a conference is held in a private, neutral space.
• Included in conference: the victim, the youth offender, each of their respective supporters/ family members/ guardians, trained community volunteers, conference facilitator, as well as any other relevant representatives (police officer involved, teacher, etcetera).
• Each person will have an opportunity to express how he or she has been affected by the incident. The youth will have a chance to express remorse for his/her actions, and offer an apology to those he/she has harmed, their family, and the community-at-large, as represented by the community volunteers.
• After input from all individuals present, the group decides on how best to resolve the issue in a proportionate and fair way…in order to best repair the harm done both to the victim, and the community.

• To this end, a customized Conference Agreement is discussed, drafted, and signed by all parties present to achieve this end; some form of restitution may be included, and/or community service hours, letters of apology, further educational programming, a charitable donation, a research project/poster, or drug testing…to name a few examples.
• Youth are responsible for completing terms of agreement by set deadlines; upon completion of all terms, RJCK sends a final report to the Youth Officer with Chatham-Kent Police Service, and the process of clearing the youth’s record begins at this time.
• Follow-up is initiated by RJCK at the 6- and 12-month point following completion of the file, to determine overall “success” of the program (in reducing criminal and/or delinquent and negative behaviours).

• When RJCK receives a referral for a case that would benefit from Restorative Justice Community Conference, the agency makes contact with the youth, then victim(s) to determine eligibility and willingness to participate in a conference.
• Following assessment of the youth, and pre-conference preparation meetings with ALL involved parties, a conference is held in a private, neutral space, to ensure the comfort of all involved.
• Included in conference: the victim(s) [those harmed], the youth(s) [those who caused harm], each of their respective supporters/ family members/ guardians, trained community volunteers, conference facilitator, as well as any other relevant representatives (police officer involved, teacher, etcetera).
  *This is a chance to truly customize the situation and process to best fit the needs of all involved.
• Each person will have an opportunity to express how he or she has been affected by the incident at hand. After input from all present, the group decides on how best to resolve the issue…to repair the harm done.

• A Conference Agreement could be discussed, drafted, and signed by all parties present to achieve this end; IF agreed upon by all parties involved, some form of restitution may be included, and/or community service hours, letters of apology, further educational programming, a charitable donation, a research project/poster, or drug testing, etcetera…HOWEVER, none is mandated unless it is part of a formal Pre-Charge Diversion Program file.
• Youth are responsible for completing terms of agreement by set deadlines
  The Restorative Justice Conference is an opportunity for the victim to have a voice and feel empowered. It also brings your community together in helping restore broken relationships and repairing the harm that has been done.

* For referral information specific to Restorative Justice Community Conferences offered outside the realm of Pre-Charge Diversion, please contact Restorative Justice Chatham-Kent at 519-380-0931.

Who are our clients?

All of our Positive Strides Programs are FREE OF CHARGE (funded in part by United Way of Chatham-Kent and Ontario Trillium Foundation), and are available to those youth participating in our Pre-Charge Diversion Program (12–17).

All Positive Strides programs are also available to those youth (6–17) in the community who are not currently in conflict with the law, but who are “at-risk” for delinquency or criminal behaviour (used as a “prevention model”). Youth who are at-risk to recidivate and become in conflict with the law again, are also eligible to participate in offered programs.

How does it work?

Referrals for any Positive Strides Program for youth can be made via telephone or email contact to Restorative Justice Chatham-Kent. Please contact Jennifer Provost at 519-380-0931 or jennifer@rjck.org )

Referrals are accepted from ALL of the following:

• Family Members/Self
• ANY individual with a Board of Education
• Crown Attorney or Judge
• Defence counsel
• Police Services
• Probation + Parole Services
• Social Services
• Other Community Agencies

• Programs are designed to be delivered in group or individual (one-on-one) format, as needed. Programs can be tailored to any client’s particular learning style.
• Programs are interactive in nature and are comprised of varying assignments, ‘quizzes’, informative videos, and in-depth discussions.
• Contacts with and knowledge of other agencies in the community of Chatham-Kent are well established (i.e. in the areas of mental health and addictions).
• Should an issue or concern arise at any time regarding a youth client of RJCK, which requires a more focused, intensive, and area-specific type of intervention or care, referrals can and will be made to the appropriate agencies and contact persons to assist that youth in the most effective way possible.

Note: Programming sessions run for approximately 45 minutes – 1 hour in length, typically on a weekly basis; however, they are scheduled around the clients needs. A youth can attend programming for as many sessions as they feel are beneficial, but the average is approximately 5 sessions, in addition to an initial intake assessment with a parent/guardian. Programming services can be delivered in alternative settings if needed; for example, in the client’s place of residence (outside of Chatham-proper) at a Municipal Service Centre, OR (with proper consents granted), at the client’s school setting, both examples are common in the case of transportation issues for a youth client.

Youth + Drugs / Alcohol

Discusses the myths vs. facts surrounding drug and alcohol use; demonstrates what can happen in the future as a result of drug and alcohol use; discusses the impact that drug use has on the user, his/her family and friends, education, future, community; helps identify “triggers” for drug and alcohol use; and provides positive ways to deal with “triggers” such as stress, anxiety, fear, change, etc.

Shoplifting + Vandalism

Can be delivered in tandem / separately as needed; identifies “triggers” for shoplifting; gives feedback on how to stop shoplifting behaviours; discusses the various ways that shoplifting impacts family, peers, the business  owners, and the  community – the “bigger picture”.

Anti-Bullying + Harassment

Defines bullying behaviour and the range of behaviours defined as harassment; details various forms of bullying (physical, verbal, social, cyber-bullying and challenges); discusses why some people may bully others; provides action plans and tips for dealing with being bullied; gives action plans and steps on how to stop being a bully; focuses on the experience/impact on victims of bullying.

Anger Management + Violence Prevention

Provides information to help develop awareness of one’s emotions, particularly anger and frustration, and the  impact these feelings can have on one’s life;  discusses in detail what makes us angry/aggressive – “triggers”; helps youth identify, develop and practice alternative, constructive ways to deal with their feelings and others’ feelings in order to prevent violent/aggressive behaviours.

Dealing with Emotions + Self Concept

Provides information to enhance awareness of, and to identify one’s range of emotions and the impact emotions can have on one’s life; discusses depression and its causes and symptoms and ways to deal with depression in oneself or in others; focuses on self concept (how we perceive ourselves) and how to develop/build levels of self esteem; discusses self ideal (the way we would like to be) and the means to achieve this ideal.

Responsibility, Victimization + the Justice System: Core Programming

All clients receive this general programming; deals with concepts of responsibility and accountability for one’s actions and decisions; deals with the effects of victimization in a general sense; informs clients about the Youth Criminal Justice Act, and the justice system as a whole, as it pertains to young offenders; focuses on details of a criminal “youth record” and the impact   it can have on various aspects of one’s life and future.

“Life Skills”

General programming available for all clients; this module is often interspersed throughout delivery of all  program modules outlined above, and is often delivered ‘in the moment’ and on an ‘as needed’ basis (defined both by the Program Coordinator, the youth, and/or parents/guardians).

This module delves into and assists youth with the following:

• communication skills
• goal setting
• positive decision making
• dealing with peer pressure
• healthy personal relationships