Since 2000, Community Justice Initiatives Association (CJI), has been working with students in the Langley School District to provide a skill-based program called “Educating for Peacebuilding”. Coast Capital Savings’ generous support has enabled this program to provide students with skills and knowledge to resolve conflict through restorative processes, such as peer mediation. This invaluable support is changing the culture in the local school system.
This initiative grew out of the need to create safe schools without relying on punishment and isolation to deal with discipline issues. Restorative Justice focuses on responses to harm and discipline issues that are needs-based, and promotes healing and accountability. This approach gives frustrated parents and educators alike additional strategies for effectively addressing misbehaviour, the underlying issues responsible for that behaviour, and the harm that occurs as a result.
Because of this work, Langley schools are becoming healthier, more productive places. Students develop self-esteem, take responsibility for their actions, and become mature, responsible adults with strong values. Trained students consistently report that the skills they learned have proven to be valuable to them in their own relationships with friends, fellow students and family members. Students gain insight into consequences of harmful actions, the effect of such actions on others, the importance of taking responsibility for their actions, and the need to assist in “making things right”. Ultimately they intend to make better and more peaceful choices in the future.
CJI gratefully acknowledges the ongoing support from Coast Capital Savings for the “Educating for Peacebuilding” program. The sustainability of this program, in partnership with the Langley School District, would not be possible without the generous contributions of Coast Capital Savings.
For more information please contact Dan Basham 604.534.5515 or visit our website at www.cjibc.org.
Coast Capital Savings Credit Union is one of Canada’s largest credit unions with total assets under administration of $12.3 billion, more than 454,000 members and 50 branches in the Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, and Vancouver Island regions of British Columbia. Product innovations include Canada’s first free chequing account from a full-service financial institution and the country’s most flexible mortgage product, the You’re the BossTM Mortgage, which was named 2010 Mortgage of the Year by canadianmortgagetrends.com. Coast Capital is a member of Canada’s Best Managed Companies Platinum Club and an Imagine Canada Caring Company. To learn more, visit www.coastcapitalsavings.com.
