Shalem has a strong relationship with the International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP), both its home office in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and its Canadian division (IIRP Canada).

Mark Vander Vennen has recently been appointed to the Board of Trustees of the IIRP in Bethlehem, as the Board’s Canadian representative. Shalem is very proud to have Mark on the IIRP board and excited about the growing connections between our organizations.

Mark also gave a workshop at the October IIRP World Conference on the relationship between Restorative Practice and Attachment Theory. Mark continues to be at the forefront of the development of a relational theory of restorative practice. An inspiration for all of us!

Lots has also been happening with Shalem’s Restorative Practice Services in Ontario over the past few months.

Recently Shalem had the privilege of spending two days with Terry O’Connell. Terry, director of Real Justice Australia, a division of the International Institute for Restorative Practices, is a retired 30-year veteran with the New South Wales Police Service. Terry’s known as the “cop from Wagga Wagga” who developed what is now the IIRP’s Real Justice restorative model to respond to conflict.

Terry has worked with Shalem’s staff in the past. Terry brings with him wisdom, experience and a quick wit. He always challenges us about our practice. Are we being explicit about our practice? Are we aware of the impact of shame? This time Terry reminded us of the importance of the WHY of what we do. Check out this video to see what I mean.

As an organization, Shalem continues to develop as a restorative workplace, being intentional about integrating this approach into how we do business. We use a restorative approach to our monthly meetings, and we set up circle processes to have important conversations. In developing our workplace culture, we are mindful of being WITH each other (having high, realistic expectations and sufficient support to meet those expectations) and we recognize the need for fair practice for decision making within the organization.

Restorative Services Available

Many of Shalem’s staff members have been trained through the IIRP to provide restorative services to our clients. Within the counselling clinic, a number of Shalem’s team members use restorative practices with their clients on a one-on-one basis. They also offer facilitated conversations with clients and their families when appropriate.

Shalem staff member Bernadine Togeretz is trained in providing a specific form of restorative practice called family group decision making. This practice is often used when families need to make decisions about care and support for seniors or to decide about child custody or access when parents need extra support.

Training Available

Shalem continues to offer formal restorative services through FaithCARE (Faith Communities Affirming Restorative Experiences), through the Centre for Workplace Engagement and EduCARE (Educational Communities Affirming Restorative Experiences). Shalem also offers restorative services for extended families seeking to resolve conflicts and repair relationship harm.

Shalem provides training in restorative practice to individuals and communities. Our restorative services include workshops, IIRP trainings and coaching. Over the past few months FaithCARE has offered IIRP trainings in Langley, B.C.; St John, N.B.; and Grand Rapids, Mich. We look forward to a training coming up in March in Toronto in partnership with Emmanuel College. Interested? Check out details on our website.

We have also offered various workshops through EduCARE and Centre for Workplace Engagement. A partnership with EduDeo has taken Anne Martin, Shalem’s Director of Restorative Practice Services, to Belize and Guatemala to work with educators endeavouring to develop a restorative approach to school and community life. Anne will return to Guatemala to give more training in March.

Restorative Practice Services at Shalem develop and deepen. This is an ongoing journey for us and everyone we work with.

If you’d like more information about Shalem’s restorative practice services, please contact Anne Martin.

Anne Martin is the Director of Restorative Practice Services at Shalem and Director of Consulting Services for Shalem’s Centre For Workplace Engagement