CJI is recognizing 40 years of restoring hope, healing, and community. What began as a small grass roots group with a big dream, has grown into a movement that continues to transform lives through restorative justice practices.
Over the past four decades, we have walked alongside thousands of individuals seeking healing after harm or conflict, guiding them through restorative justice processes to foster accountability, reconciliation, and the rebuilding of trust and dignity. Through this work, we have built long-lasting relationships in the Langley community, the province, Canada-wide, and even internationally. Read below for a summary of major impacts CJI has seen since 1985.
40 Years of Impact:
| 1985 | Fraser Region Community Justice Initiatives is born Laid the foundation for restorative justice programs to grow across the lower mainland and beyond. |
| 1988-1989 | Victim Offender Mediation Program (VOMP) becomes a pilot project Piloted reconciliation between persons harmed and persons responsible in the community begins. CJI is tasked with covering the entire Lower Mainland (Vancouver, Surrey, Langley and greater Fraser Valley |
| 1991-2004 | Victim Offender Reconciliation Program (VORP) is started Provided restorative support to hundreds of people across the lower mainland seeking accountability and healing. |
| 2000
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Partnership with Langley School District creates Restorative Action Program (RA) in Schools Brought restorative circle practices and pedagogy into classrooms, helping students resolve conflict and build empathy. Restorative school curriculums such as Conversation Peace and OWN IT are created and celebrated for creating opportunity for youth to grow communication and conflict skills proactively. |
| 2004 | VOMP expands nationwide, Under the new banner Restorative Opportunities (RO) In partnership with Federal Corrections Canada, VOMP extended across Canada to every province. CJI continues to provide the training and mentorship to this day. |
| 2010 | Launch of Youth Black Book A teen resource guide offering information on health, counseling, and community support www.youthblackbook.com |
| 2017 | Collaborative Sentencing Program (CSP) is started Bringing restorative processes to post charge and court decision-making, that centers the victim and creates sentencing plans that connect to rehabilitation as well as community safety and reintegration needs |
| 2024 | Collaborative Sentencing Program (CSP) becomes a 3-Year Pilot Project Pilot Program with funding from the Federal Government begins, to test and evaluate the unique model that CJI has created, to find its use for other RJ programs nationally. |
| 2025 | 40 years later Still building bridges of hope and transforming lives through restorative justice. |
Thank You for Walking with Us through stories, challenges, and many steps toward peace and wellness. Here’s to 40 years behind us, and to the continued journey of healing, reconciliation, and positive change we can create together.
