This Restorative Justice Program for Elders provides an approach that addresses abuse and mistreatment involving elders and their families, caregivers and friends.  We speak to all parties involved and explore how to best address the situation. When appropriate, we ask everyone involved to meet together in a peacemaking circle. At the peacemaking circle we provide a safe environment to discuss everyone’s concerns and issues. We also provide referrals to other community agencies that can assist.

A peacemaking circle provides a way of talking together where: everyone is equal, everyone is respected, everyone gets a chance to talk without being interrupted, and everyone can share their perspective about the situation.  Trained facilitators work with the parties to ensure everyone has equal access to participation in the process. The facilitators also encourage the following peacemaking values: love, respect, trust, honesty, sharing, courage, inclusiveness, empathy, and forgiveness. The circle provides a safe environment for the discussion of opinions, perspectives, emotions and conflicts.

This program is funded through Resolve’s United Way funding.