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FACE CirclesRestorative justice · North Simcoe

Court & police referrals

An alternative to court that actually repairs the harm

FACE offers an alternative to youth and adult court in Midland, Penetanguishene, and the Townships of Tiny and Tay. Instead of a charge, the people affected meet face to face, and the person responsible takes real accountability for what they did.

Make a referralHow circles work
An adult in a serious conversation with a teenager sitting on the stairs

Why refer to FACE

Justice that happens quickly, and close to home

  • Fast

    Circles are held within weeks of the incident, not months later in a courtroom.

  • Everyone has a voice

    The person harmed says what they need. The person responsible faces the real impact.

  • Accountable

    The group agrees on consequences, written into an agreement with a deadline.

  • Trusted

    Running in North Simcoe for over 20 years, with two trained facilitators in every circle.

From referral to agreement

What happens after you refer

  1. 1

    The officer or Crown decides to divert

    The investigating officer, or sometimes the Crown attorney, chooses to send the matter to FACE instead of laying or proceeding with a charge. They weigh how serious it is, the person’s age and record, and the attitude of anyone harmed.
  2. 2

    Send us the referral

    Use the form below, or call us. Referrals can come from police, the courts, schools, or from the people involved or their lawyers.
  3. 3

    We prepare everyone

    Two volunteer facilitators meet each person involved, explain the circle, and confirm everyone is willing to attend.
  4. 4

    The circle meets

    The person responsible explains and apologizes; the person harmed and supporters share how it affected them. Then everyone decides what needs to be done.
  5. 5

    The agreement is completed

    Once everyone reaches a consensus, the conditions are written into a circle agreement for the person responsible to complete within a set time.
Everyonespeaks in turn

Who can be referred?

  • • Youth and adults, with or without charges laid
  • • Offences against a person or their property
  • • The person responsible must accept responsibility
  • • Both the person responsible and the person harmed must agree to take part

What does a FACE circle offer?

  • • A chance for those on both sides of an offending incident to face each other in a safe setting and say what needs to be said
  • • A place to listen and to be listened to without fear or judgment
  • • A neutral setting where everyone can feel valued and respected
  • • The experience of working on answers, not accusations
  • • An opportunity for letting go, healing and a fresh start
  • “Wonderful program to have to settle these matters out of court and actually face that person.”
    Person who was harmed
  • “Before this I was a bit bitter toward them, even though I was the cause of it… If I had gone to court, I would have stayed that way.”
    Person who caused harm

Referral form

Refer a matter to FACE

For police, Crown, courts, schools and lawyers. Prefer to talk first? Call +1 (705) 528-1444. People asking for a circle themselves can use the request form.

About you
The incident

For example: mischief, theft under $5,000, assault, school incident.

The people involved

We contact everyone before a circle to explain the process and confirm they are willing to take part.

Names, ages, and phone numbers. For anyone under 18, include a parent or guardian.

Names and phone numbers, or the business or organization affected.

This referral is emailed directly to the FACE Program. Nothing is stored on this website.

Other programs

Circles for families and neighbours too

Questions about a referral?

Call us to talk through whether a matter is a good fit for a circle. We’re happy to help.

Request a circle +1 (705) 528-1444