Can I suggest a program that isn’t on our referral guide?  

We are continually seeking new assignments and programs to enhance our collection! We would greatly appreciate your thoughts and ideas. However, please remember that under no circumstances can youth information be shared by volunteers, and vice versa. If you have a program that you believe would benefit a youth, please reach out to BGC staff to ensure the appropriate referral is made once we receive consent.  

What is the difference between Post Charge and Pre Charge?  

• Pre-Charge Diversion: The youth is referred to the YJC by police before any formal charges are laid. If the youth successfully completes the diversion program, they avoid being formally charged or receiving a criminal record. These are also called Extrajudicial Measures. 

• Post-Charge Diversion: The youth has already been charged and is referred to the program by the Crown Attorney. If the program is completed successfully, the charges are typically withdrawn, helping the youth avoid a criminal record. A court record of the youth’s involvement in the program is kept for 2 years, however this is NOT a criminal record. It is intended to assist the court if the youth ends up being charged again in that 2 year period. These are also called Extrajudicial Sanctions.

Is there a minimum or maximum number of assignments we can impose?  

There isn’t a specific number of assignments to assign to a youth; it varies on a case-by-case basis. It’s important that we avoid entering the meeting with a predetermined list of assignments.  

You want to consider assignments that are meaningful, proportionate to the offence and achievable (considering ages, ability, circumstances, etc.).  

Are volunteers allowed to stop a meeting?  

We encourage volunteers to end the meeting if it isn’t productive. Since this is a voluntary program for the youth, they need to be willing to actively engage for it to be effective. If a meeting needs to be shut down, please note in the Google Drive that the meeting was unsuccessful and provide a brief reason for follow-up with families so the coordinator knows how to proceed.  

A client/family member asked me for a copy of their Police Report/Court Documents, can I share them?  

No, you should not share police reports or court documents with clients or families. These documents are confidential. Sharing them without proper authorization could violate confidentiality agreements and legal guidelines. It is important to keep legal documents, intakes, etc. out of sight from clients/families during your conferences.  

If a family requests access to these documents, kindly refer them to the appropriate authority (i.e. police department, court, legal counsel, etc.). If you are unsure, please leave a note for BGCD staff and they will direct them.   

I had a really tough meeting, is it ok to talk about it with family member or friend?  

Protecting confidentiality shows respect for the people we serve and is a core part of restorative justice value. We understand that restorative justice work can be emotionally challenging. However, confidentiality is essential to the safety and trust of everyone involved in the process. While it’s ok to talk about your own feelings, you must not share any identifying details about the people, situation or what was said in the meeting. This includes names, specific events.  

If you need support, consider speaking to BGCD Staff,  they can provide guidance on how you can debrief safely and confidentially.   

I think the client I met with need access to additional services. What should I do?  Where can I send them?   

If you believe a client could benefit from additional support (such as counselling, housing assistance, substance use service, or community or cultural resources), don’t try to handle it alone. Please be sure to involve staff so support can be provided ethically and effectively.   

Here’s what you should do:  

1. Follow BGC Durham’s referral process .
   BGCD has a list of trusted community partners and services providers. The clients coordinator can help connect the client to those resources in safe and appropriate way. The list of BGCD’s community partners can be found in the YJC google drive.   

2. Talk to BGCD staff.
   Let them know what you’ve observed and why you think the client might need extra support. They can help assess the situation and determine appropriate next steps. 

3. Never promise services directly to the client.
   Please reassure them that you’ll speak with the staff team to explore what supports may be available.   

I know someone who runs a program that would be really well suited to my client OR a friend who could provide meaningful community service hours, can I reach out to my friend to make a referral?   

We appreciate your desire to support clients in meaningful ways, but you should not make direct referrals on your own, even if it’s to someone you trust or a program you believe in.  

Instead, please talk to staff about the program you have in mind. We have a process for vetting community partners and can explore whether it’s a good fit for current or future clients.  

Your insight is valuable, just be sure to share it through the right channels!  

The client is having a hard time opening up or the client and I aren’t seeing eye to eye, what should I do?  

It is common to experience challenges in building connections or trust with a client in these sensitive and emotional meetings. Here are some things you can try:  

1. Stay patient and non-judgmental 
   Building trust takes time. Allow space for silence, listen actively, and avoid pushing the client to open up before they’re ready.  
2. Reflect on your approach 
   Consider whether there’s something in your tone, body language, or phrasing that might unintentionally create distance. Sometimes small shifts in how we show up can make a big difference.  
3. Acknowledge the tension if it feels appropriate 
   If things feel stuck, gently naming that can open a door: 
   “I sense this might be a bit uncomfortable—would it help to take a break or talk about something else for now?”  
4. Don’t try to force the process 
   Diversion is voluntary and based on mutual respect. If the connection isn’t working, that’s okay. You can end the meeting and offer to have the young person meet with a different group at a difference date.   
5. Don’t take it personally 
   It’s okay not to be the right fit for every client, we’re human, we all have different needs to feel comfortable or the young person just might be having a tough day.   

I can’t make it to my shift, what should I do?    

If you are unable to make a scheduled shift, let the volunteer coordinator know as soon as possible and try to find coverage for your shift.   

Your presence MATTERS! Volunteers play a critical role in building trust and keeping the program running smoothly. Frequent absences or no-shows delay progress and impact the experience for the client and the rest of your team members. If something is making it hard to attend consistently, please reach out to the volunteer coordinator, we want to support you in staying engaged and successful.  

Is there a maximum number of referrals we can make?  

While there’s no official maximum, making too many referrals at once can overwhelm the young person, create time management challenges, lead to overlap in services or conflicting coping strategies.   

As a best practice where referrals are needed, focus on one or two core (mandatory) interventions that directly relate to accountability, repairing harm, or addressing key underlying needs.   

After successful completion of those initial measures, the program coordinator may suggest additional referrals if the youth is open to ongoing support. This approach helps keep the process manageable and ensures that support is offered in a way that builds success, rather than pressure.  

Can I assign community service hours to my client?  

Yes, you can assign community service hours. However, there are a few important considerations to keep in mind:  

1. Only assign a number of hours—do not choose a placement.  
   It is the young person’s responsibility to find a suitable location to complete their hours. BGCD does not arrange or determine where those hours should be completed.  
2. Be mindful of age-related limitations.  
   Youth under the age of 18 are not eligible to obtain a criminal reference check, which significantly limits their placement options. Additionally, many organizations are hesitant to accept volunteers under 16 years of age due to liability and supervision concerns.  
3. Keep time constraints in mind. 
   Make sure the number of hours assigned is realistic and can be completed within a reasonable timeframe. Program timelines are limited, and files cannot remain open indefinitely.  

My client struggles with reading and writing and I’m not sure what can I assign them?  

If your client has difficulty with reading or writing, it’s important to adapt assignment to match their strengths and abilities while still supporting accountability and reflection.  

This is not a one-size-fits-all process. Review the intake and have an open discussion with your client and their family about their abilities and adjust assignments to meet their needs in way that can still promote responsibility, healing, and growth.  

Here are a few alternatives to written assignments:  

• Verbal reflections – Have the client share their thoughts in a conversation as an audio recording or over the phone with their coordinator.  
• Creative or hands-on projects – Art, music, posters/mock social media post or another form of expression that helps them explore the impact of their actions.  
• Service-based actions – Volunteering, helping at home, or assisting a family member or neighbour in a meaningful way.    
• Video or photo reflections – The client could document a learning experience or give a short video update about what they’ve done and learned.  

I don’t have enough time to fill out the meeting feedback survey to send the measures/sanctions I assigned for my meeting tonight. What can I do?   

While it’s ideal to complete the meeting feedback survey immediately after your meeting while things are fresh, we understand that time can be tight. If you’re unable to send them the night of your meetings, it’s perfectly acceptable to submit them the following morning. However, we strongly encourage you to send them as soon as possible (ideally no later than noon the next day) so the coordinator can communicate the information to the family while the meeting is still fresh in everyone’s mind. Timely follow-up helps ensure clarity, consistency, and accountability.