INITIATIVES FOR JUST COMMUNITIES

OUR VISION

Everyone belongs and flourishes in community. No one walks alone. 

OUR MISSION

To walk with people living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and intellectual disabilities, and those currently or previously incarcerated; To help them to achieve a better quality of life for themselves and their communities.

OUR IDENTITY

Initiatives for Just Communities’ four social and restorative justice programs began under the direction of Mennonite Central Committee Manitoba (MCCM). IJC was incorporated as an umbrella organization in 2010, and MCCM transferred the program management along with funding support to IJC. 

IJC is a non-profit, charitable organization that applies a restorative justice lens to our work.

Christian teaching speaks in unison with other spiritual traditions in calling all of creation to be in community with each other. IJC believes that the principles of Restorative Justice developed and practiced by Indigenous peoples, are in harmony with the biblical call for justice. We strive to practice peacemaking in all our relationships and communities. Grounded in these understandings, IJC engages people who have a heart for caring for others in walking alongside our clients on their life’s journey.

IJC collaborates and networks with partners in the restorative justice field and remains committed to restorative justice practices while working to create communities where each person, especially the stigmatized and vulnerable, has a place to belong.

OUR ORGANIZATIONAL VALUES

• Value of All People

As part of creation, we see each person as having infinite value and necessary for a healthy community. Thus, we respect each person, and believe in their goodness. Further, believing that all are created equal, we honour our diverse cultural realities and value the experiences of all.

• Community

Our work is set in and reliant on community. We value the cooperative and collaborative nature of community and the interdependence it creates.  We seek to build community with our participants and in so doing, strengthen the broader community. 

• Compassion

We offer welcome and accompaniment, without judgement, to all on the journey. 

• Restorative Justice

To promote healing of the individual and the community, we seek to repair harm and restore the individual and the community to honest, transparent and trusting relationships. We bring this restorative justice approach to all we do.

• Advocacy

We value hearing those who are often unheard, and honour their story. We work to ensure their voices are heard both within and outside our organization.

• Transparency

We promote and model honesty and integrity in all our work, because these are critical for true community to flourish.

OUR PROGRAMS

The programs of IJC are:

• Circles of Support & Accountability (CoSA) (operating since 1998) - Offers a caring community around people with offending histories, who are at high risk of harming themselves and others. Volunteers and staff offer a supportive space to those integrating into the community after incarceration, serving Probation or Parole, or simply feel they need additional support to live safely.

• Open Circle (operating since the early 1970’s) - Encourages volunteers to visit individuals in prison and offer caring, non-judgmental support.

• Touchstone FASD Program (operating since 2003)- Provides case management and direct individualized support to adults and older youth with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
  • Visions and Voices - Visions and Voices is a speakers’ bureau comprised of adults with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Visions and Voices seeks to increase awareness in communities in order to reduce the stigma of FASD and to encourage healthy living. We believe storytelling is a powerful tool to increase dignity for those living with FASD.

• El’dad Ranch (operating since early 1980’s) - A multi-faceted program that provides residential support, vocational training and assistance, and support for people with intellectual disabilities. Located on eighteen wooded acres in south-eastern Manitoba, participants live on-site in one of three facilities, with support provided by volunteers and staff.
  • The Alternative Justice Program (AJP) - Based on the premise that individuals with intellectual disabilities who have come into conflict with the laws of society are a part of a population called vulnerable people. As such, it is possible that a program which holds them accountable for their actions yet at the same time provides a safe place to learn skills, positive values, and positive relationships may be more effective in changing behaviour than time in a prison. The AJP program is a residence program, along with a day program which offers vocational training, and education, as well other assistance to the individuals. Together, staff and participants in the program, work at designing an individualized program that can result in a meaningful and productive future for the individual. 
  • The Day Program - Perhaps the most intentional, proactive, and integrated part of the El’dad program. As a whole, the Day Program is a multifaceted program which provides participant support, life skills, education, vocational training, and assistance in designing a future of choice for individuals with intellectual disabilities.  One of our main goals is to achieve community involvement for our participants through meaningful employment.
  • The Outreach Program - The mission is to assist adults living with intellectual disabilities within the Southeastern area. We seek to encourage positive choices while empowering the individual to achieve their goals thereby increasing their ability to be successful and enjoy quality of life. El’dad accomplishes this by providing intensive support and supervision for the affected individual while bringing alongside other supports within the community.
  • Home Share Program - Provides support services to individuals with intellectual disabilities, within the Steinbach and surrounding areas. The Home share program connects participant with hosts who are willing to share their home and positive life style with others.
  • Residential Program - Offers 24/7 support to residents in the Eastman Region. Our aim is to provide comprehensive residential assistance to individuals facing challenges in maintaining their basic needs, such as food and shelter. Residents in the program live in homes leased and maintained by El’dad, ensuring their fundamental necessities are met, including food and transportation. The homes are staffed around the clock, with staff-to-resident ratios tailored to individual needs.
  • Supported Cluster Program - The objective of the Supported Cluster Program (SCP) is to assist participants with their long-term goal of fewer supports and greater independence. We provide opportunities for independence and learning life skills while having supports that can be accessed as needed. KHP (Klassen House Program) is an alcohol and drug-free building located at the Ranch where participants have access to SIL supports and on-site supports during evening hours. In addition to KHP, El’dad has access to a 3-suite building where 24/7 supports are available to tenants as needed, as well as a 4-suite building that provides opportunities for independence with access to SIL supports and on-site supports during the late evenings.