Across the country, governments, police, lawyers, judges and community groups are working in close partnership with communities and families to prevent youth involvement in the criminal justice system. Non-profit organizations across Canada are at the forefront of innovations that divert vulnerable youth away from a life of crime. That's why the Government of Canada is pleased to support the innovative work done by these organizations to help youth who have been in conflict with the law.
Today, as part of Restorative Justice Week, the Honourable Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, joined Antonius Clarke, Executive Director and Project Manager, Friends in Toronto Community Services to announce support for a Friends in Toronto Community Services' project that assists Black and other racialized youth involved in the youth justice system.
The funding will support the Circle of Change Restorative Justice program - a culturally informed youth restorative justice project that uses healing circles to facilitate the rehabilitation and reintegration process for Black and racialized youth aged 12 to 17 involved in the youth justice system. In addition to supporting these youth, this restorative justice program helps the people impacted by a crime and the families of both victims and offenders by developing and implementing reparation plans.
The project aims to:
- enhance the rehabilitation and reintegration of youth who have come into conflict with the law
- increase access to community-based rehabilitative and reintegration programming
- expand the use of alternative measures outside of the formal court process
Justice Canada is providing the Friends in Toronto Community Services with $569,989 over three years (2023-2026) for the Circle of Change Restorative Justice program through the Youth Justice Fund program.
The Friends in Toronto Community Services is a non-profit community based, charitable organization that provides culturally responsive programs and services that empower and inspire Black and racialized at-risk youth and their families across Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. They provide services and supports including counselling, access to emergency funds, housing and child welfare system advice.
