CJI offers mediation and dialogue programs as well as restorative services to prevent conflict and build peace in communities.
A modern restorative justice movement is born in 1974 when two probation officers suggest that teens apologize and make restitution instead of going to jail.
CJI is located in the Kitchener Waterloo area. Consult the link below for information on our location and opening hours.
Volunteering at CJI can be a rewarding and transformative experience. Community members work alongside us to explore needs and promote respect, dignity, and appreciation for diverse backgrounds, experiences and identities. Be part of a movement that strengthens our community’s ability to collaborative meaningfully and authentically.
To volunteer with CJI, we ask that you be an adult 19+.
CJI asks applicants to consider if they can give a 1 year commitment for Mediation, Stride and Revive volunteers, due to the relational nature of the work.
* Our screening process includes a criminal records check. Past involvement with the justice system does not necessarily exclude you from volunteering with CJI. Discuss any concerns with our Volunteer Coordinator.
Community Justice Initiatives believes that Restorative Justice is the work of all of us. We demonstrate this through a commitment to not over-professionalize this work and by being a largely volunteer-animated organization with many volunteers.
Volunteers with CJI receive quality training, practical experience and supportive mentorship with encouragement to take the skills they learn into the own lives and apply them everywhere! Please see the opportunities below. We are excited for you to join our team!
See the opportunities below!
CJI provides conflict resolution services for youth, adults, and older adults who are friends, family members, neighbours, teammates, coworkers and classmates. We also work with victims of crime and those who have harmed others. We also provide co mentor opportunities with older adults.
Revive volunteers co-facilitate education and support groups for offenders, survivors, and partners/family members of people impacted by sexual harm.
Administrative volunteers cover reception in evenings, assist with events and provide volunteer coordination support.
Students completing a placement at CJI provide administrative and direct programming support.
Board Members work with our staff and volunteers to guide our organization.
Talk to us if you are interested in joining our team.
Join a team to work to help support CJI’s work in the community.
Talk to us if you are interested in joining our team.
“CJI’s culture is inclusive and very healthy…[As a volunteer] I felt valued, appreciated, and like my needs mattered…They treated me like a staff member and kept me looped in on everything.”
Deanna, Revive Volunteer working with people affected by sexual harm
“[Volunteering with Stride] feels like I’m using my time in a positive way that mutually benefits myself and the people I volunteer with…We’re able drop all of our biases at the door and just connect person to person.”
Henna, Stride Night Volunteer with adults in prison
“I know the work that I do [at CJI] is appreciated and needed. I feel honored to be able to do the work that I do for my community. I’m trying to make the world a better place.”
Mare, Revive volunteer working with people affected by sexual harm
Community Justice Initiatives believes that Restorative Justice is the work of all of us. We demonstrate this through a commitment to not over-professionalize this work and by being a largely volunteer-animated organization with over 185 volunteers currently. CJI’s volunteers are encouraged to deeply respect and appreciate diverse education, experiences, abilities, and identities within our community. This diversity enhances and strengthens our ability to work together meaningfully and authentically.
We provide opportunities to gather to train, learn, grow, and practice restorative ways of being in a variety of program applications, with the support of staff and community members. Community members are encouraged to draw from this knowledge and experience and to carry the learnings with them into the rest of their lives.
CJI volunteers receive orientation to our agency and restorative justice and specific training for the program they volunteer with.
CJI staff provide ongoing emotional and practical support to volunteers as they do the challenging and rewarding work of mediation, facilitation, and mentorship.
Most of our volunteer trainings have a fee. If the fee is a barrier, please inquire about a subsidy by emailing us here.
Are you ready to make an impact in your community? Please register for our next Agency Orientation.
Help CJI to keep innovatively applying restorative justice to solve community problems.
CJI creatively, and innovatively applies restorative justice principles to challenging community problems.
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