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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

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...

Kim Moore

Stride Policy & Reporting 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...

Theodore Nicholson

Stride Men Service Coordinator

Born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, I worked in the Jamaican criminal justice system for 5 years. First as a Correctional officer- helping to rehabilitate and reintegrate offenders into the communit...

Hoda Al-Obaidi

Service Coordinator - New Canadian Youth Connections

My life experience as a former refugee played an important role in finding my passion and shaped who I am today. I’ve worked with newcomer youth in the Waterloo region and the GTA for the past four ...

Julia Castillo

Stride Circles Coordinator

...

Shelley Schanzenbacher

Youth Service Coordinator

“Out beyond the ideas of wrong doing and right doing, there is a field — I’ll meet you there.” Rumi Being a lifelong member of Waterloo Region, I have finally landed my dream job and having...

Leah Martin

Program Assistant, Mediation Services

Working with the Mediation Services team is a great opportunity to support CJI’s many innovative programs. Studying Dispute Resolution has opened my eyes to the immense potential of restorative prac...

Bill Smith

Service Coordinator Family Centred Program

I first became involved with Community Justice Initiatives in 2001. I began as a volunteer mediator. I was immediately taken by the nature of the work and the mediation training I received. Not long...

Our Mission

To inspire safe, healthy, and peaceful communities.

Our Partners

CJIWR Board of Directors

Officers

John Goodman, Chair (Waterloo Regional Police Service)
David Wigg, Vice-Chair (exactEarth)
Chris McEvoy, Secretary (Region of Waterloo, Community Services Department)
Carrie Boutcher Treasurer (Communitech)

Directors

Garth Cressman (WalterFedy)

Andre Rajna (Ministry of the Attorney General, Crown Attorney’s Office, Oxford County)

Adrian Ennis (Angstrom Engineering)

Denise Whitehead (St. Jerome’s University, University of Waterloo)

Bridget Davidson (Canadian Malnutrition Task Force)

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