Working in and for the community

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Published on Thursday, March 19, 2015

By Dianned Kowalchuk

Publicity

At a recent meeting of Rivers Women’s Institute (WI),  members learned about a group of people who work quietly amongst us. Warren Smallwood spoke with great sincerity and enthusiasm about Riverdale Justice Committee. This committee is made up of nine ordinary citizens from this community; however, the work they do is far from ordinary.

The committee, mandated by the Justice Department in Manitoba, very unobtrusively works with young offenders who wish to have their cases diverted out of the court system. The committee has two rules it follows: the offender must be willing to plead guilty and they must attempt to undo any damage done. This alternative justice system saves the public a great deal of money and gives young people who have acted foolishly a second chance. The committee uses common sense and compassion to mete out justice that is fair. WI members were impressed by good work that is being done. The justice committee is like Women’s Institute – a well-kept secret!

WI members are getting ready to take part in the wellness day that will be taking place at Rivers Collegiate on April 11. Plans are also being made for members to attend a regional convention in Basswood on April 15 and a provincial convention in Winnipeg May 8-9. As a local fundraiser, Rivers members are selling product from Vesey Seeds. The group has renewed its membership in Ag in the Classroom and will donate $100 to project work done by our international affiliate, Associated Country Women of the World.

The April meeting has been changed to Thursday, April 16. Members will meet at Westwood Lodge  at 1:30 p.m. to discuss the resolutions that will be debated at the provincial convention. This promises to be a most entertaining discussion.