About
Edmonton Youth Justice was incorporated as a non-profit society in December 1995. We are a charitable organization, guided by a volunteer Board of Directors with programs and services delivered by a team of four staff.
Volunteers are critical to our work as board members, bingo volunteers and restorative justice circle volunteers. Between 35 to 40 trained volunteers are crucial to facilitating our restorative circles and ensuring the agreements made are completed.
Mission Statement
As a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization, EYJ offers youth and young adults an alternative to the formal court process. By utilizing a Restorative Justice Circle approach, EYJ works alongside youth and young adults in making amends with harmed persons and the community at large.
Vision Statement
Contributing to a community that fosters connection, reconciliation, and healing.
Annual Reports
Meet our staff
Harvey Voogd
Operations and Development Manager since March 2023. He has worked as a Restorative Justice Program Manager and as Executive Director for several non-profits. Volunteer history includes Edmonton Police Service Inner-City Violent Crime Task Force, Mayor Jan Reimer’s Task Force on Safer Cities, and CEASE (Centre To Empower All Survivors of Exploitation & Trafficking).
Carolyn Cush-Nieminen
Restorative Justice Program Coordinator at our south office, Carolyn has worked with EYJ since 2012. She has a Sociology degree from the University of Alberta and an abundance of restorative justice training. Carolyn was honoured by the Government of Alberta with a 2024 Alberta Community Justice Award in the Enhancing Justice category, which recognized community leaders for their innovative efforts to create a fair and accessible justice system.
La Salette Encarnacion
Volunteer Program Coordinator since June 2024. EYJ honoured La Salette at its 2024 AGM with an Outstanding Service Award which recognizes exceptional volunteer contribution over a significant period. Prior to joining the staff, she had been a circle volunteer since 2018.
Min Lu
Restorative Justice Program Coordinator at our north office since October 2024. Min has a Master in Education from Memorial University. She specialized in restorative justice in education, gaining an in-depth understanding of restorative justice theories and circle facilitation techniques.
Meet our board
Melissa Campbell
Melissa is the Board Chair, a restorative justice circle volunteer, and passionate about the power of relationship and connection as tools to heal. She has a Certificate in Restorative Justice from Simon Fraser University and is honoured to be a part of the transformational work done by EYJ. Melissa is a mom of three kids and works as a Community Activator at the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues.
Eryn Walters
Eryn joined the board in 2022, is currently the Vice Chair, and sits on several committees. She believes strongly in the goals of EYJ and enjoys seeing the success of youth and young adults participating in the program. Eryn works for a business advisory firm in Edmonton.
Christopher D. Adams
Chris is the Treasurer and joined the board in June of 2023. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and is currently a Senior Manager at a public accounting firm in downtown Edmonton. Chris joined EYJ because of their impact to the youth of Edmonton in providing a second chance and to give back to the community.
Madeline Mayes
Madeline is the Secretary. She became involved with EYJ as a student interested in community issues and non-profit organizations. Currently, she works with other non-profits and governmental groups to create change in the community.
Deni Hanington
Deni joined the board in 2022 and is a dedicated advocate for youth, serving as the Program Manager for Youth & Young Adult Services and the CHEW Project at Boyle Street Community Services. With a passion for supporting young people, she focuses on creating opportunities for growth and success. Deni believes that meeting youth where they are is key to achieving positive, lasting outcomes.
Sahib Bains
Sahib joined the board in June 2024 and is also a restorative justice circle volunteer. He joined EYJ because of his dual interests in practicing community-based facilitation and exploring restorative practice through the lens of Gandhian non-violence. Sahib is currently working towards his designation as a Qualified Mediator.
Jaspreet Chatha
Jaspreet joined the board in June 2024 but has been involved with EYJ since 2018. In 2023, he was a co-winner of the Michelle Robichaud Volunteer of the Year award for his lengthy service as a restorative justice circle volunteer. Jaspreet’s involvement stems from the meaningful resolutions and healing he has seen EYJ be able to provide back to the community.
Julie Grivel
Julie joined the board in January 2024. She became involved with EYJ to support the restorative justice process, recognizing the significant value of repairing harms through meaningful resolutions. When she is not attending to her board duties, Julie is serving the community in her role as a criminal defence lawyer.
Jordan McDermott
Jordan joined the board in 2022. She is a defence lawyer who works in the courts and with youth clients everyday. She joined EYJ for the opportunity to increase her involvement in restorative justice in our community.
Jessica Swann
Jessica joined the EYJ Board of Directors in 2023. She is passionate about restorative justice and a strong believer in the positive effects it can have on participants and society at large. Jessica is a lawyer at a boutique insurance defence firm in Edmonton but began her legal career as a criminal defence lawyer.
Parul Kanwar
Parul joined the board in January 2024. Named an Alberta Council for Global Cooperation's Top 30 Under 30, she is a recipient of the 2024 Alberta Immigrant Impact Award in the Young Leader category, recognized for her advocacy efforts and community impact. Her commitment to youth justice and evidence-based reform is shaped by her work with marginalized communities and role as a Policy Officer at the Legislative Assembly of Alberta.