Lanark County Community Justice (LCCJ) has proudly served communities across Lanark County and the town of Smiths Falls for over 25 years, facilitating restorative justice forums through a Court Diversion Program.
Parenting is one of the hardest jobs any of us will ever have. It can also be the most rewarding, but it doesn’t always feel that way. The LCCJ “Triple P Fearless” program, running on Wednesdays in April from 6–7:30pm, can help parents and caregivers support their youth’s anxiety. Call 264–1558 to register.
Community Justice programs encourage the use of restorative practices that help prevent harm; promote strong, healthy and vibrant connections; foster empathy, emotional literacy and resilience; and facilitate peaceful conflict resolution. Programs are offered free to the community. We are committed to providing trauma-informed, restorative, safe and accessible services.
Two new programs are in development this year through Together for Justice: Community Foundations and the Law Foundation of Ontario. The first is a new pre-sentencing restorative justice process with the Crown Attorney’s office and LCCJ, and the second is a collaborative project led by LCCJ involving several local organizations, to bring the concept and practice of restorative justice and trauma-informed advocacy to our broader community.
LCCJ core services involve a court diversion program with referrals from Lanark County OPP, the Town of Smiths Falls Police, and from the Crown Attorney’s office for both youth and adult offenders. The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services provides some funding for offenders aged 12 to 17 years of age. However, fundraising activities throughout the year are essential for Community Justice to deliver its services.
Two Ways to Engage
Two key fundraisers are planned for this Spring. LCCJ is thrilled to raffle a beautifully handcrafted 6’ x 10’ garden shed, built by the talented students of the Heritage Carpentry and Joinery Program at Algonquin College Perth. For your chance to win, buy your tickets beginning on April 1 at CanadaHelps.ca at $20 each, or 6 for $100.
We are also pleased to announce that singer/songwriter Doug Barr will perform a fundraising concert on Friday, May 15 from 7–9pm at the Oakfield Rugby Park.
If you love classic folk and soft rock, you will love Doug Barr. Born in the Ottawa Valley, Doug was raised near Toronto, completed eight years of Royal Conservatory on piano, moved into pop music with his uncle’s beat-up old guitar, jumped into rock ‘n’ roll at 15, and never looked back. After playing in numerous bands, graduating Humber College as an arranger and composer, and touring the Ontario club circuit, Doug’s path took an unexpected turn into children’s music. But his first love has always been original, lyric-based rock music. Doug’s more recent work points a songwriter’s boney finger at the corporate criminals, eco-thieves and bankster/gangsters among us. Doug stands for the environment, farmers, locally grown food, fiscal accountability, de-growth and sustainable living. His song Arthur Gunn in 1915 asks the quintessential question of our time: What are we doing today to save our planet?
This event will help fund Restorative Justice programs that benefit the communities, families, and youth throughout Lanark County. Join us at the Oakfield Rugby Park on May 15 from 7-9pm. Come enjoy great music and meet the Executive Director and volunteers that support restorative justice in our community. The Oakfield Rugby Park is accessible, licensed, and offers lots of parking. If you have questions, please contact deneka5145@hotmail.com
Tickets are $30 at Tickets Please (TicketsPlease.ca, 485–6434). Reserve yours today!