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About CJI

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Community Justice Initiatives (CJI) is a non-profit organization known world-wide for starting the first modern Restorative Justice program.

Restorative Justice is a way of addressing conflict and crime that engages the person who caused the harm, people who were affected by the harm, and the community.

During our 40+ year history, we have continuously responded to community needs by creatively, and innovatively applying restorative justice principles to new problems. We believe the only limit to the power of restorative justice is the capacity of the human heart to change and grow.

We provide conflict resolution services, support for people impacted by sexual trauma, assistance for families involved with child protection, reintegration support for adults returning to the community from prison or custody, and integration support for new Canadian youth.

Our restorative justice programs are offered in Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph, and the rest of the Waterloo Region and Wellington County in Ontario, Canada. Through research, speaking opportunities, and written resources our influence is global.

See our agency brochure here: CJI_MainBrochure

Read about our history here: CJI History

Our Staff Team

Julie Friesen

Director of Programs  Conflict Resolution & Mediation Services

Trained in several restorative justice processes, I have many years’ experience facilitating situations of conflict and crime. I also have an MA in Sociology from the University of Kansas. During ...

Mel Horvath-Lucid

Community & Volunteer Engagement Coordinator

Like so many others, I connect with CJI's belief that "the only limit to the power of Restorative Justice is the capacity of the human heart to change and grow." I am drawn to spaces and experiences ...

Ryan MacTavish

Victim-Offender Reconciliation Service Coordinator

I started working with CJI in 2016 as a placement student from Conestoga College. I have recently graduated the Social Service Worker program and accepted a part-time contract as a service coordinator...

Jill Magazine

Sulah and Victim-Offender Reconciliation Service Coordinator

I’ve been fortunate enough to view the justice system from many angles in my career, and consistently the perspective I feel most aligned with is a restorative one. With this in mind, I have ap...

Teresa Mayer

Restorative Schools Service Coordinator

I spent the first part of my life travelling and learning about peoples and cultures. Things took a turn when I moved to a small Indigenous community in Northern British Columbia. Through that experie...

Kim Moore

Restorative Schools Service Coordinator

Growing up in a small town, I learned what community means. It means belonging, looking to understand others and working together. When these things happen, a healthy community is the outcome. In my...

Wendy Meek

Elder Mediation Service Coordinator

I was born and raised in South Africa when conflict and violence were part of daily life. I witnessed many unjust situations—which led me to search for a way to repair harm. When my family and I imm...

Ashley Nitz

Communications Coordinator

I stumbled upon CJI while I was in the Social Service Worker program at Conestoga College. At the time, I was set on working with at risk children and families and truthfully, not very open to other a...

Our Mission

To inspire safe, healthy, and peaceful communities.

Our Partners

CJIWR Board of Directors

Officers

David Wigg, Chair (exactEarth)
John Goodman, Past-Chair (Waterloo Regional Police Service)
Adrian Ennis, Secretary (OTTO Motors)
Carrie Boutcher Treasurer (Ontario Drive and Gear)

Directors

Roxanne Chartrand (Executive Vice President of Strategy & Administration for the Ontario Teachers Insurance Plan)

Ron Caudle (Caudle’s Catch Seafood)

Garth Cressman (Walter-Fedy)

Andre Rajna (Crown Attorney of Oxford County)

Charitable Registration Number

106962707RR0001

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