Initiatives for Just Communities walks with people with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and intellectual disabilities, and those currently or previously incarcerated, to help them to achieve a better quality of life for themselves and their communities.

Please welcome Don Shackel to Initiatives for Just Communities! 

We are delighted that Don will join IJC as our new Executive Director.

Don brings many years of senior leadership experience and expertise in public sector non-profit program development, training, and education. For the last 24 years, Don has worked with the Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre (MFNERC) as Assistant Director of Inclusive Education Services, Manager of Clinical Services, and FASD Educational Specialist. Before MFNERC, Don worked at Mount Carmel Clinic as a Program Coordinator of the Interagency FASD Program and as Program Coordinator, counselor and therapist at Sioux Lookout District General Hospital.

Learn more about Don

WE ARE HIRING!

Join a great team and make a difference in the lives of vulnerable people.

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Who We Are

Initiatives for Just Communities is a non-profit, charitable organization that is committed to restorative justice practices. IJC works to create communities where each person, particularly the stigmatized and the vulnerable, has a place to belong.

Four programs run through IJC:

  • Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA) – supports the healthy reintegration of people with high-risk offence cycles as they are released from prison and settle back into the community.
  • El’dad – provides residential support, vocational training and assistance, and support for people with intellectual disabilities.
  • Open Circle – encourages volunteers to visit individuals in prison and offer caring non-judgemental support.
  • Touchstone – provides case management and direct individualized support to adults and older youth with intellectual disabilities.

What We Value

— All People

As part of creation, we see each person as having infinite value and necessary for a healthy community. Thus, we respect each person, and believe in their goodness.

— Community

We seek to build community with our participants and in so doing, strengthen the broader community.

— Compassion

We offer welcome and accompaniment, without judgement, to all on the journey.

— Restorative Justice

To promote healing of the individual and the community, we seek to repair harm and restore the individual and the community to honest, transparent and trusting relationships.

— Advocacy

We value hearing those who are often unheard, and honour their story. We work to ensure their voices are heard both within and outside our organization.

— Transparency

We promote and model honesty and integrity in all our work, because these are critical for true community to flourish.
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