The provincial government has named Abbotsford Restorative Justice and Advocacy Association (ARJAA) as one of this year’s winners of a Ministry of Justice Community Safety and Crime Prevention Award.
An Abbotsford senior, Helen (Jean) Grant, was also recognized for her efforts to assist seniors who have been victimized by crime.
With a small core group of staff supported by over 70 volunteers and with more than 1,100 cases since 2003, the ARJAA is dedicated to finding innovative ways to impart and engage in restorative values, practices and interventions.
Abbotsford South MLA Darryl Plecas applauded the organization for its work. “They do a tremendous service to Abbotsford by making offenders accountable to their victims and helping them make amends for harm done,” he said.
Grant, 88, has been involved in crime prevention and community safety since 1992, when she joined forces with the former Matsqui Police to form Seniors Help and Awareness, a volunteer support and outreach group for seniors in the community who have been victimized.
The awards, now in their 17th year, are bestowed on people and organizations in B.C. for their exemplary leadership in community safety and crime prevention and courage to stand up to crime.
They are jointly hosted by the BC Crime Prevention Association and the provincial Ministry of Justice and lead into B.C.’s Crime Prevention Week, Nov. 1-7.