Doug Borch

Afternoon All - I have a nice quick story to send us all off for the holidays.  A young guy committed a number of break and enters and along with his family, met with two of the families in a community conference.  Among other things, they learned that the boy and his family have serious financial struggles.  While doing follow up calls with one of the homeowners today, our facilitator, Darrel, relates that the husband wants to buy a turkey for the young guy and his family.  This will be done tomorrow so they have it for Christmas dinner.

Not only does this boy have a far greater understanding of the impact of his decisions on others, the homeowners now see him as far more than "the little ^%*&" who took their sense of security.  And they are far more than victims in the police report.  These folks have redefined the rather ugly beginning of their relationship, beyond that of simply "victim" and "offender", and added some meat (as it were) to notions of 'community.'  It seems rather a side note at this point, but it will be interesting to hear the judge's response to this when the lad returns for sentencing in the new year.

Doug Borch MSW, Coordinator, Children & Youth Services

Community & Neighbourhood Services, City of Calgary

Box 2100 Station M Mailcode 135, Calgary, Alberta T2P 2M5

http://www.calgarycommunityconferencing.com