About Us
Peace Regional Restorative Justice is a community-based restorative justice program for communities served by the Peace Regional, Manning, and Fairview RCMP.
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Our team consists of two program staff, and our organization is governed by a Board of Directors. We are grateful for the support of many local, regional, and provincial partners and funders who believe in the importance of our work.
Mission Statement
Peace Regional Restorative Justice (PRRJ) is a non-profit organization that addresses the needs of people and communities impacted by crime. We employ restorative justice principles and practices to encourage meaningful opportunities for healing, growth, and resolution. PRRJ strives to foster relationships and partnerships that support education and awareness opportunities.
DIVERSE HUMAN EXPERIENCE
COLLECTIVE WISDOM
RESTORATIVE PRACTICES
COMPASSIONATE COMMUNITIES
Safe, healthy, and connected communities.
Our Organization
The work we do is about people. It’s about creating space for addressing harm, meeting needs, and meaningful accountability. We do this by offering Restorative Justice Processes to people impacted by an incident of harm, whether criminal or non-criminal in nature.
While we work with the criminal justice system, we focus on how people and relationships are impacted when harm occurs rather than which law has been broken and who must be punished. We provide opportunities for people to engage in a process that may better suit their needs, empower them to have their voices heard, and make things right to the greatest extent possible. We believe that when people feel safe and supported, they can actively address the matters that impact them and their communities.
We care about all people who are impacted by an incident of harm. We work with victims, offenders, their support people, and community members.
Funding
Our work as a non-profit organization could not have been achieved without the financial support and generosity of many local, regional, and provincial funders over the years.
We are grateful to be recipients of the provincial Alberta Community Restorative Justice Grant since 2016. This grant provides us with the majority of our operational funding.
We are especially thankful for many local and regional funders over the years whose generosity has supplemented our operational budget and provided valuable connections to their communities. We are so fortunate to be supported with donations from the County of Northern Lights and Northern Sunrise County.
Partners
We work closely with many agencies within our service region on a regular basis. We are grateful for the referrals, collaboration, guidance, and various support they provide.
These include the Peace Regional, Manning, and Fairview RCMP detachments and their victim services units, from whom we receive and collaborate with on referrals. We also receive referrals for these communities that come from the Peace River Crown Prosecutions office.
We have been a member of the Peace Regional RCMP Community Advisory Committee since 2016 and are regular participants on the Peace River Aboriginal Interagency Committee and with the Peace River, Manning, Fairview, and Woodland Cree First Nation interagency networks.
Our office is co-located with Stepping Up, with whom we’ve enjoyed a working partnership for many years. We also value our relationships and collaborative opportunities with Sagitawa Friendship Society, Peace River Regional Women’s Shelter, and Project Peace.
Our Staff
China Sieger
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
China has been devoted to the vision and development of the Peace Regional Restorative Justice program since it's inception in 2016. China got her start in this meaningful work as a volunteer facilitator in 2009. Along with a dedicated team of volunteers and community partners, China built the Peace Regional Restorative Justice program from the ground up. She has her sights set high on increasing accessibility to community-based restorative justice processes throughout Northwest Alberta. China holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology, a Certificate in Restorative Justice and is a certified trainer of restorative conferencing with the International Institute of Restorative Practices. In June 2022 she received an Alberta Community Justice Award in Partnerships and Collaboration.
Randilee Fisher
PROGRAM ASSISTANT
Randilee joined the Peace Regional Restorative Justice team in April 2022. She has an educational background in Correctional Studies from Lethbridge College and work experience with the Youth Assessment Center in Red Deer. Randilee is passionate about restorative justice and the benefits experienced by all who are involved in the process. She looks forward to continuing her journey with the organization. Randilee enjoys building community connections and seeing all the Peace Region has to offer.
Sarah Dawe
PROGRAM ASSISTANT
Sarah joined the Peace Regional Restorative Justice team in August 2023 and is currently furthering her education through Northern Lakes College to complete her Social Work Diploma within the next year. Originally from Rainbow Lake, Alberta, Sarah moved to the Peace Region in 2017 where she graduated locally. Previously, Sarah worked for the Town of Peace River creating healthy relationships in the community through various recreational roles. Sarah is looking forward to her new role with the PRRJ team as a Program Facilitator and the opportunity to promote and inspire healthy relationships among youth around our region.
Naomi Chalifoux-Sawan
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Naomi is grateful for the opportunity to be involved in the Restorative Justice program and work alongside some truly inspiring ladies. She has a passion for helping others and learning new things. She has a passion for helping others and learning new things. Naomi is looking forward to building community connections, as well as meeting new clients and being a part of their healing journey.
Board Members
Carol Drescher
CHAIRPERSON
Although having lived and schooled in other cities throughout her life, Carol is a homegrown Peace Riverite! Carol has been involved with PRRJ since 2017 and has held several roles such as Director, Secretary, Vice Chair, and Chair. Carol works as the Court of King’s Bench Court Coordinator for the Peace River and High Level judicial centres, serving Albertans north of Fort Vermilion to south of Slave Lake, AB. This role has been fulfilling, taking her all over the Province to work and teach. Throughout her career, Carol has supported programs and policies providing access to justice, modernization, reconciliation, and system reform. In 2019, the Court of King’s Bench began working towards the inclusion of restorative justice practices in pre and post-sentencing of criminal matters through the Honorable Beverley Browne Wiyasow Iskweew Restorative Justice Project; Carol is a part of the project committee and has supported PRRJ’s ongoing and exciting role in this project.
Carol Van Slyke
TREASURER
Carol moved to the community of Dixonville in 1981 upon obtaining her first teaching position. She both taught and worked in administration in Dixonville, Berwyn and Peace River during her 35 year career in education. Carol became involved with Restorative Justice in 2018 until family needs intervened. She rejoined the Board in 2021. Her interest stemmed from seeing her students at the local Peace Regional Outreach campus navigate many personal barriers, including legal issues, to their education. Carol wholeheartedly believes in the concepts underpinning Restorative Justice. Rehabilitation is more desirable than punishment. She supports hope and growth opportunities for individuals who have made mistakes.
Tracy Goy
DIRECTOR
Originally from Bonnyville, Alberta, Treaty 6 territory, Tracy was raised in Peace River and attended post-secondary school locally. Tracy has worked in office administration in the fields of early education, adult education and training, Northern Alberta Development Council (NADC) and Environment and Sustainable Resources Ministries for the Alberta government. Currently, she works as an Executive Associate for Alberta Health Services in the north zone. Tracy and her husband Leonard have raised their two daughters in Peace River. She was appointed to the Peace Regional Restorative Justice Board of Directors in June 2022.
Brittany Turchyn
VICE CHAIR
Brittany joined the Board of Peace Regional Restorative Justice in November 2022.
Sean Hill
DIRECTOR
Sean originally hails from Orillia, Ontario. In 2009 he started his education at the University of Calgary, graduating in 2014 with a bachelor of kinesiology and a minor in psychology. In 2015 Sean started his criminal justice career as a Correctional Peace Officer at Peace River Correctional Centre. Sean worked operations within the centre for 2 years before transitioning into a Correctional Services Worker position. Sean manages a caseload of adult male individuals navigating the criminal justice system, providing opportunities for self-growth, treatment, and programming. In 2018, Sean began working alongside PRRJ in his role as a CSW with the GoA. Sean provides education about RJ and assists with the referral process. In 2021, Sean decided he needed a more active role within PRRJ, and was appointed to the program board of directors.
Jeff Harcourt
DIRECTOR
Jeff joined the Peace Regional Restorative Justice Board of Directors in November 2022.
Giancarlo Di Rocco
SECRETARY
Giancarlo has been working in the Criminal Justice system since 2015. He has served his community as a Child and Youth Worker, Sheriff, Correctional Officer, and as a Probation Officer. Giancarlo holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Minors in Psychology and Sociology. Giancarlo’s education and professional experience have led him to pursue initiatives that proactively address criminality and the factors that contribute to it. In Restorative Justice principles, Giancarlo sees a positive means to reducing one’s contact with the criminal justice system. He believes these principles can strengthen individuals, families, and communities.
Jasmine Light
DIRECTOR
Jasmine first learned about restorative justice while completing her Masters of Education in Educational Leadership. She was intrigued by the approach of restorative justice and how to utilize it effectively within an educational setting. That initial intrigue was furthered when she took a teaching position with the local college at the Peace River Correctional Center. Jasmine joined Peace Regional Restorative Justice in 2021.
Jerrold Lundgard
DIRECTOR
Jerrold joined the Peace Regional Restorative Justice Board of Directors in November 2022.