Kitchener's Community Justice Initiative mediation program expands to Guelph

A successful restorative justice mediation program, based in Kitchener, hasreceivedfunding for a 12-month pilot project in Guelph.

Community Justice Initiatives is known across Canada as aleader in restorative justice, which is a way of helping victims of conflict or crime to engage the person who caused them harm, and come to somekind of resolution.

The non-profit organization will receive $73,600 through an Ontario Trillium Foundation seed grant to extend their program into Guelph.

Community 'will benefit greatly'

"Our community will benefit greatly from the services offered by Mediation Guelph-Wellington, which is ready to accept referrals and help people to de-escalate and resolve conflict in a collaborative manner," Guelph MPP and Ontario Treasury Board President Liz Sandals said in a release about the funding, which was announced Tuesday.

Chris Cowie, the executive director of Community Justice Initiatives, said the program will benefit residents in Guelph and Wellington County.

"The results of unresolved or escalated conflict can be devastating, resulting in stress, loss of sleep, fear and anger," he said in the release.

"Relationships are fractured as result of conflict creating community violence, family breakdown, and child welfare and police interventions. Our service helps people take positive steps to find ways to resolve their differences."