As part of PBI’s mission and vision, Eva designed and established the Peacemaking Circles Pilot Project in Toronto’s St. Jamestown and Regent Park communities, which adapts traditional aboriginal Peacemaking Circles to serve a multi-cultural, inner-city population.  The project combines a restorative approach to justice with principles of interest-based dispute resolution and consensus-building.  It is a testament to Eva’s pioneering work in seeking peaceful solutions to violence, conflict, discrimination and injustice. 

Under Eva’s leadership, at-risk children and youth were given access to a new mechanism of rehabilitation.  Young people who lacked positive role models were supported by individualized Circles that practiced respect, compassion and accountability to resolve disputes.  The process of peaceful dialogue and conflict management helped the youth work towards solution and accept personal responsibility.  At the same time, it empowered the community to engage actively in the rehabilitation of youths charged under the Youth Criminal Justice Act or disciplined under the Safe Schools Act.  In addition, local community leaders, teachers, police and probation officers were trained to facilitate Circles.

During the Project’s last 18 months, 49 youths were accepted into the program, and thus diverted from the Youth Court at 311 Jarvis Street and/or from being suspended or expelled from school.  After engaging in the Project, many participants have said that they felt it was more effective than the formal criminal justice system.