Ontario Trillium Foundation Grow Grant Wrap-up Event

Peacebuilders Wraps Up Restorative Schools Project aimed at increasing Restorative Practices within Schools to Reduce Conflict and Suspensions

TORONTO, ON – On Friday, Peacebuilders International (Canada) held a virtual wrap up of its three-year Restorative Schools program that was a result of a $750,000 Grow grant awarded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) in 2018. Peacebuilders received the three-year grant to help it expand its restorative practices program into four Toronto secondary schools that would help support the positive development of children and youth. Due to the impacts of COVID-19, the grant period was extended for an additional year.

“Our children and youth deserve to see justice happen in their schools in a way that truly heals the people involved and sets communities up for lasting peace,” said Suze Morrison, MPP for Toronto Centre. “Peacebuilders’ restorative justice programs empower our schools to be even more loving and respectful places where all students are able to reach their goals and live healthy lives. I commend their great work.”

The initiative enabled Peacebuilders to help children and youth facing barriers to develop strong emotional and social skills. It was also used to help train and support school personnel and community members in utilizing Peacebuilding Circles which has had an impact on the lives of 2,000 people in the community. Funds were used to help with key staffing positions to deliver the program, as well as hosting workshops, purchasing supplies and materials for the program, and helping with key administrative and technical equipment costs as well.

Peacebuilders is proud of the work accomplished with resources provided through the Grow grant. The project success and lessons learned will enable Peacebuilders and its partners to continue to provide effective supports to youth, children and communities across the GTA. The mission of Peacebuilders Canada is to increase the capacity of youth, communities and the education, justice, and child welfare systems to communicate and manage conflict through Restorative Peacebuilding dialogues.

Ontario Trillium Foundation is an agency of the Government of Ontario and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations. Last year, nearly $112M was invested into 1,384 community projects and partnerships to build healthy and vibrant communities and strengthen the impact of Ontario’s non-profit sector. In 2020/21, OTF supported Ontario’s economic recovery by helping non-profit organizations rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19.  Please visit: otf.ca

For more information, please contact:
Lorna Richards, Peacebuilders
lrichards@peacebuilders.ca
416.960.0105