Peacemakers Practice for 2025 Launch  –

Hastings Sunrise is one step closer to becoming a Restorative Neighbourhood. Since it was chosen as the first seedbed for the initiative, as part of Vancouver becoming a Restorative City, many things have progressed to make this vision a reality.

Sixteen peacemakers from the three lead organizations – Hastings Sunrise Community Policing Centre (HSCPC), Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House and Peace of the Circle – have gone through almost 50 hours of extensive training, consisting of modules on communications and conflict resolution, trauma informed practices and peace circles. “The training addresses complex trauma, and how facilitators work with it using Indigenous approaches that are body centred and land based,” says Norm Leech, executive director at Frog Hollow, who delivered the second training module.

Another training on facilitating peace circles will take place in November when Dr. Evelyn Zellerer (Peace of the Circle) and Gillian Lindquist (Restorative Justice Victoria) will do a deeper dive into the intricacies of resolving conflict by being in Circle together.

Peacemakers are currently practicing their skills by facilitating dialogue circles. All of the Circles are being debriefed with the peacemaker cohort so that everyone benefits from the learnings. The goal is for every peacemaker to have facilitated at least three dialogue circles so that they are ready to take on more difficult cases that involve conflict by the end of the year.

Our leadership team is developing policies and procedures for a new restorative program, which will be hosted at the HSCPC.“ From our work with the community, we know that there is demand for an alternative process that offers a space for people to connect, communicate and create change. The process can be complementary or an alternative to the legal system,” says Nina Kreis, HSCPC coordinator.

“Restorative justice focuses on addressing harm, healing and relationships. Affected parties – those who caused harm, those harmed, their families and community – are invited to participate in determining meaningful accountability, reparation, meeting needs and a path forward,” explains Dr. Evelyn Zellerer, founder and director of Peace of the Circle.

At the end of July, we also hosted the first Hastings Sunrise Leadership Circle for local community leaders and partners to meet with the Restorative Neighbourhood team to learn about this initiative and invite participation.

“We are very pleased that leaders in the neighbourhood, such as Vancouver Public Library, Hastings Community Centre, the Aboriginal Friendship Centre and many others, have shown keen interest in being involved and supporting the Restorative Neighbourhood initiative,” rejoices Clair MacGougan, HSCPC executive director.

Stay tuned as we continue this collaborative journey with an aim to launch the restorative justice program in early 2025.

For more information about Restorative City Vancouver, including our neighbourhood initiative, visit: peaceofthecircle.com/restorativecity