Dave Gustafson, a leading ‘Canadian Voice’ in the Field of Restorative Justice will open up our AGM with a keynote community dialogue.
Dave is the Director of Fraser Region Community Justice Initiatives Association (CJI), in Langley, B.C., an Adjunct Professor in the School of Criminology at SFU and a Registered Clinical Counsellor. Working with Corrections Services Canada, the primary focus of Dave’s work at CJI, together with deeply valued staff, is on facilitating ‘therapeutic dialogue’ in prisons between victims and offenders in crimes of severe violence.
Dave describes himself as “feeling ‘rich’ in most of what matters to him” and he goes on to describe that as, “valued relationships and an opportunity to make a contribution in areas of his life-long passions: creating social structures that contribute to the making of a justpeace; trauma recovery and healing, assisting others to discover their own gifts and Spiritual resources, to recover hope and to help others grow and to flourish even in the aftermath of grievous losses”.
Dave is a thoughtful and engaging speaker who combines the art of story-telling to underscore the learnings of Restorative Justice. Dave is often called to speak and be involved in both national and international matters of justice and peacebuilding initiatives. You won’t want to miss out on Dave’s compelling perspective and thoughts on the context of Restorative Justice and how it fits within the justice system and community.
All community members are invited to attend our AGM and if you want to become more involved please submit an application for society membership along with your $15 annual membership fee. You will find the information and society application form on our website at www.arjaa.org under the opportunities section! We have extended the society membership application to June 13th, 2014 to encourage new and renewing members to join. Once eligibility is confirmed this qualifies you to vote at our upcoming AGM and to receive updates as well as newsletters throughout the year regarding the work of Abbotsford Restorative Justice and Advocacy Association.
If you are interested in or believe in the work of Abbotsford Restorative Justice consider becoming a member! Why you ask? As a Non-Profit Association in B.C. we benefit greatly from having a significant number of society members and even more important is for those society members to attend the AGM each year. This helps us to qualify for much needed grants that support our valued work with youth and families at-risk with a vision of Restoring Justice through Building Respect, Hope, Reconciliation and Peace and working towards a caring and restorative community that supports the success of people even when they fail!
Please consider this your personal invitation to attend ARJAA AGM 2014!! We promise to keep it inspiring, engaging and worth your while!
Mark down June 25th 7:00 pm on your calendar and plan to join us! Please let us know if you’re coming by sending us an RSVP to office@ARJAA.org
This will assist us in planning for light snacks and refreshments to wrap the evening up and is just another way for us to say THANK- YOU for your support!
Established in the year 2000 by a group of concerned citizens and community leaders, the Abbotsford Restorative Justice and Advocacy Association (ARJAA) was incorporated as a non-profit society in 2001, and now serves as a Community Accountability Program under the B.C. Ministry of Public Safety and the Solicitor General.
ARJAA …- Is guided by professionals and sustained by volunteers
- Receives police referrals for children and youth
- Receives police and Crown referrals for adults
- Receives police-referred cases of neighbourhood disputes
- Works in Abbotsford schools