Editor:
I feel that Restorative Justice has given me a second chance to make things right with my mistakes, and how I involved all the people I’ve hurt.
I’ve been involved in a situation where I have used my actions instead of using my words and it would have affected me in the long run as a young adult because I would have minimal chances of future job opportunities and of traveling the world.
I hope to set an example for other young adults and students, that violence is not a good option to solve a problem. The key is to talk about the situation. The key is to talk about it with anyone — there will always be someone who will listen and talk about it and be willing to help you solve the problem. This can be parents, siblings, friends, supporters and counsellors.
And I am thankful for the people who understand that I have made a mistake and am taking full responsibility for my actions. I am letting this be a lesson in my life that you can’t change all of your mistakes.
There are opportunities, though, that give us a chance to fix and change it and I hope that whoever reads my apology letter helps them in a way because everyone is in this life together trying to live with the daily struggle called ‘life.’
Name withheld by request.
Editor’s note: This letter was written by a participant of the Restorative Justice program. The writer’s name has been withheld because it is a condition of writing and publishing the letter.
The Tribune doesn’t typically run unsigned letters to the editor but makes a special exception for the program.