Community Programs
Client Focused Programming
The Community Justice Society offers various programs to support clients in a safe, respectful and empowering atmosphere. With an approach based on restorative principles these programs are designed to address underlying issues which often lead to conflict with the law and other wrongdoing. Some programs are offered in partnership with other community based organization.
Priority is given to RJ clients, but can also be made available to the public. Please contact us if you are interested in attending.
The Options to Anger (O2A) Program is available to those who identify issues or concerns with anger. It is interactive and focuses on helping participants acknowledge and reduce their anger.
Using the terminology “options” rather than “management” recognizes it is not enough to manage anger as it occurs, and this program teaches useful tools to employ instead of anger.
The O2A program has 7 sessions. Each session is approximately 2 hours in length and the program is delivered over 7 consecutive weeks.
Through the program, participants learn to:
- Identify invitations to anger and recognize that there is a choice to accept, or not accept, that invitation;
- Become aware of early warning signs in our bodies and minds that precede anger;
- Develop and begin to use skills to interrupt the Anger Cycle and diffuse anger.
Developed in 1989, the O2A program is property of CAF Associates in Eugene, Oregon. O2A was first brought to HRM in 2000. Versions of the program are available through Correctional Services and several school boards in Nova Scotia.
Priority is given to clients in the Restorative Justice Program, but contact us if you are interested in attending.
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The Stoplift Program explores the economic and personal costs of retail theft. Participants are led to assess the impact of their shoplifting actions on families, retailers, store employees, consumers and themselves, as well as to think through coping strategies and ways to reduce shoplifting behaviour. Participants are also educated in the criminal justice system and the consequences of being in conflict with the law.
Stoplift is a two-hour program primarily available for clients referred to Community Justice Society as a result of shoplifting. It is delivered approximately once a month for clients at the CJS office. We sometimes have availability for others who may be interested in attending.
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The Hive Girls Group started in the summer of 2013 and is geared toward supporting young women in the North Dartmouth area aged 12 to 17 years.
The Community Justice Society aims to create a safe place for girls to learn and lead their communities through their own voices. In weekly meetings they chat and explore issues important to teen girls, discovering empowering ways to rise above life’s obstacles. They accomplish this through sharing time and activities with each other and their communities, as well as through workshops, guest speakers and youth leader projects. Facilitators are also available to support youth and their families as needed.
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Because youth in care often have traumatic histories, the Community Justice Society formed a collaborative partnership with the Department of Justice, Department of Community Services and HomeBridge Youth Society to allow a more complete Restorative Justice experience for youth in care.
ROYC as an intervention model allows a more timely and relevant provision of Restorative Justice (RJ) services to youth in residential care facilities who come into conflict with the law and are referred to RJ.
A Youth Care Framework to assess the needs of youth has been incorporated into the management review of referrals to generate a fuller understanding of each youth. This information aids in the development of a restorative justice agreement, thereby providing meaningful experiences and learning opportunities for the youth.
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Educational Programming
CJS is making a positive impact by helping businesses and community organizations implement restorative practices.
Schools are communities unto themselves, where youth spend the majority of their time. Conflicts can and do arise within schools on a regular basis. This new Community Justice Society (CJS) program started in the Fall of 2024. Professional CJS staff work with youth to identify, address and resolve wrongdoing or conflict, teaching them to navigate immediate and future needs/situations in a thoughtful and restorative way. CJS also works side by side with school administration and staff, influencing the way the school environment notices, manages, and follows up on conflict and/or potential conflict in schools. This trauma informed approach allows everyone, especially youth from vulnerable populations and their peers, to meet challenges posed within school environments using well designed restorative processes and tools.
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The Community Justice Society (CJS) knows restorative processes can be applied in our daily interactions across a wide variety of environments. CJS welcomes the opportunity to come to your educational institution, workplace or community group to talk about restorative approaches and how to use them in navigating challenges and conflicts. To book a Lunch n Learn Session
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Interested in Starting a Specialized Program in Your Community?
We are here to help facilitate change in your community. Please contact us for more details.
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Words from a Program Facilitator
I enjoy facilitating Stoplift because I like the diverse group of clients. I find that in a group of peers, participants are more open, honest and willing to share their experiences. The stories may appear similar on paper, but hearing why and how a client ended up with a shoplifting charge is as diverse as the clients themselves.
– STOPLIFT Program Facilitator