The Restorative Action Program

How We Got Started
A team of educators, administrators, students and community members designed a Restorative Justice Program in 2002 to address the violence, intimidation and bullying that had escalated to the point of affecting everyone at Mount Royal Collegiate in Saskatoon. They sought funding to have a full-time Restorative Justice Facilitator at Mount Royal.

 THREE MINUTE VIDEO ON ROTARY INVOLVEMENT 

After being turned down by several funding agencies, three community agencies created a consortium to bring the idea to fruition. The three-year Restorative Justice Pilot Program was funded by the Rotary Club of Saskatoon, Saskatoon Public Schools and the Saskatchewan Community Initiatives Fund. Its goal was to reduce violence and bullying while developing a positive school culture and strategies to address issues that stood in the way of students being successful in school. During the next three years, the program expanded to include strategies not only to prevent conflict but it also disengaged students to reconnect with the school and their social network. In 2006, this became known as RAP (Restorative Action Program), and a dedicated facilitator hired.  RAP is effective in reducing violence, resolving conflicts, teaching leadership, life skills and helping all youth become good citizens of the community. 

RAP Today
Today RAP is operating in nine high schools throughout Saskatoon and is supported by all five of Saskatoon’s Rotary Clubs. These clubs contribute financially and have representatives who are Board members on the Executive Committee of RAP.

RAP is also financially supported by both school Boards in Saskatoon, government and community agencies, as well as businesses and individuals. The long-term goal of RAP is to have a Facilitator in every school in Saskatoon.