YMCA Community Justice
In collaboration with Crown Attorneys and Police Services across Grey and Bruce Counties, the YMCA delivers community-based justice programs for youth and adults that help create safer, stronger communities for all.
Our Diversion Programs provide individuals charged with minor offences an opportunity to take accountability and make meaningful change outside of the traditional justice system.
Grounded in the YMCA’s values of caring, respect, and responsibility, these programs focus on learning, growth, and restoration. Participants are supported as they take responsibility for their actions, repair harm, and rebuild trust — empowering them to move forward in a positive way.
Adult Services
Direct Accountability offers adults (aged 18+) an alternative to formal prosecution for people who have been charged with minor criminal offences. The program involves accused persons being held accountable through community-based sanctions. Working collaboratively with local Crown Attorneys, cases referred can be resolved quickly.
Youth Services
For youth, there are two possible pathways to diversion:
- Pre-Charge (Extrajudicial Measures) – Police referral before having a formal charge
- Post-Charge (Extrajudicial Sanctions) – Crown Attorney referral after a charge is laid
Following a referral, a YMCA Community Justice Worker will meet with the youth and their parent(s)/guardian to develop a measure/sanction suited to the individual circumstance and monitor its completion.
Successful completion will result in either police laying no charges, or charges being dismissed.
Measure or sanction may also include participation in a:
Based on the philosophy of restorative justice, the Youth Justice Committee Program is designed for youth (aged 12-17) who accept responsibility for their actions and express remorse for their minor offence. As an alternative to formal court proceedings, the young person and their parent(s) or guardian meets with trained volunteer facilitators and the victim. Together they discuss the offence, relate how they have all been affected and jointly develop a meaningful plan or “sanctions” for the youth to repair the harm caused.
Youth Justice Committees provide:
- A voice to the victim in the process and an opportunity for them to express how the offence has affected them
- An opportunity for the youth to get a better understanding of their actions and the impact of their behaviour on the people they harmed, the community and their family
- An opportunity for communities to become directly involved in the administration of youth justice
- Timely and meaningful resolution to offending behaviour that avoids victims and witnesses having to go to court
Workshops offer education and resources covering a wide range of topics and providing tools that help youth to navigate their communities in a safe, healthy, productive and respectful way.