History of the Sunshine Coast Program
The Restorative Justice Program of the Sunshine Coast (RJPSC) - formerly known as the Community Justice Program of the Sunshine Coast - began in 1998. RCMP Corporal M. Frizzell recruited volunteers from the community and provided RCMP approved training in Community Justice Forum (CJF) facilitation. Violet Smith was the facilitator trainer for this first small group that planted the Restorative Justice seed on the Sunshine Coast. Around 8 CJF's were completed in that first year.
Auxiliary Constable Suzette Stevenson accepted the position of Program Coordinator for the Community Justice Program in May 2003. Suzette attended a conference with Terry Scallon and Corporal M. Frizzell in Vancouver and returned to the coast to grow the program. Regular board meetings were introduced and a training session organized for early 2004, with Sharon Blaker, the facilitator trainer.
In May 2004, the program was incorporated as a non-profit organization. The RCMP supported the program with referrals, office space and secretarial support as required. Suzette Stevenson attended the 2004 Provincial Restorative Justice Conference and the International Conference. The conferences were a great help in gaining information and networking with other programs.
As the program gained support from both town councils and the SCRD so it was able to increase the number of referrals it dealt with. A successful pilot with School District 46 staff in 2006, saw some 18 teachers trained in the principles of restorative justice which led to an increase in referrals from the school system for a variety of incidents. Whilst the increase in referrals was welcome it meant that the program had to reorganize to meet this challenging growth.
In 2007, Elin MacKinnon was employed as the RJPSC's coordinator - a post she held until 2014, when her successor Jan Smalley took over as co-ordinator. Jan is supported by William Prowse, former chairman of the RJPSC.
New procedures were developed and implemented to expand program delivery while ensuring quality control remained at the centre of the programs vision. All program facilitators received RCMP accredited training as well as ongoing professional development. The program began to host volunteer appreciation and victim awareness events, expanding community education and outreach and increasing community sponsorship. Referrals were accepted from new agencies including the Provincial Court and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. It was also about this time that the Community Accountability Panel (CAP) was developed and implemented (see conferences offered by our program above).
Over the years since 2007, the school program has developed and flourished enabling solid and practical links between School District 46 and the RJPSC. Although the program's operational oversight has cycled through a number of chapters, we are now left with a strong and experienced board of directors, a dedicated and resilient team of volunteers, a Program Mentor in the guise of Jan Smalley and experienced Chairman Nancy Denham.
If you feel that you would like to be involved in our program, please contact us for more information.
Auxiliary Constable Suzette Stevenson accepted the position of Program Coordinator for the Community Justice Program in May 2003. Suzette attended a conference with Terry Scallon and Corporal M. Frizzell in Vancouver and returned to the coast to grow the program. Regular board meetings were introduced and a training session organized for early 2004, with Sharon Blaker, the facilitator trainer.
In May 2004, the program was incorporated as a non-profit organization. The RCMP supported the program with referrals, office space and secretarial support as required. Suzette Stevenson attended the 2004 Provincial Restorative Justice Conference and the International Conference. The conferences were a great help in gaining information and networking with other programs.
As the program gained support from both town councils and the SCRD so it was able to increase the number of referrals it dealt with. A successful pilot with School District 46 staff in 2006, saw some 18 teachers trained in the principles of restorative justice which led to an increase in referrals from the school system for a variety of incidents. Whilst the increase in referrals was welcome it meant that the program had to reorganize to meet this challenging growth.
In 2007, Elin MacKinnon was employed as the RJPSC's coordinator - a post she held until 2014, when her successor Jan Smalley took over as co-ordinator. Jan is supported by William Prowse, former chairman of the RJPSC.
New procedures were developed and implemented to expand program delivery while ensuring quality control remained at the centre of the programs vision. All program facilitators received RCMP accredited training as well as ongoing professional development. The program began to host volunteer appreciation and victim awareness events, expanding community education and outreach and increasing community sponsorship. Referrals were accepted from new agencies including the Provincial Court and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. It was also about this time that the Community Accountability Panel (CAP) was developed and implemented (see conferences offered by our program above).
Over the years since 2007, the school program has developed and flourished enabling solid and practical links between School District 46 and the RJPSC. Although the program's operational oversight has cycled through a number of chapters, we are now left with a strong and experienced board of directors, a dedicated and resilient team of volunteers, a Program Mentor in the guise of Jan Smalley and experienced Chairman Nancy Denham.
If you feel that you would like to be involved in our program, please contact us for more information.
