cera - communities embracing restorative action
to enhance the quality of justice in
                      the communities we serve
          through restorative measures
© CERA - Communities Embracing Restorative Action. All Right Reserved.
site map  |  privacy policy  |  legal disclaimer

staff



Gerry Baragar Gerry Baragar
Program Director
Gerry Baragar is a retired member of the RCMP now living in New Westminster. In his role with the RCMP National Youth Strategy, and as the National Restorative Justice Advisor he is considered an expert in youth justice and crime prevention issues. He has been very active promoting peaceful school environments through restorative practices throughout his long career in the RCMP. Since his retirement from the RCMP in 2005 he has worked in BC communities promoting safe schools, homes and neighbourhoods.
He is presently working as the program manager for "CERA" (Communities Embracing Restorative Action) This includes Community Engagement, Volunteer Coordination and Education, Peer Mediation in Schools, and Youth Centered Restorative Justice Programs.

He is also working as technical advisor to a Juvenile Justice Reform project in Ukraine sponsored by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
Contact: gerry@cerasociety.org

Mary Hagen Johnstone Mary Hagen Johnstone
Administrative Assistant
Mary joined CERA staff in early 2000 and has served the society from its first years as Fraser-Burrard Community Justice Society through its transition to CERA in the fall of 2008. Born and raised on the west coast, Mary has called Coquitlam home for the past 25 years. She believes in community participation, considering herself fortunate to be involved with an organization that is aligned with her personal values. Having worked for many years in business, Mary enjoys the unique dynamic of a non-profit sector where she finds receptive opportunities in her role as Administrative Assistant to utilize her creative ideas and exceptional organizing abilities.
Contact: mary@cerasociety.org

Alex Larsen Alex Larson
Empowering Youth Program Coordinator
Alex joined CERA as a volunteer in 2006, where she became active as a restorative justice facilitator for youth. In 2008, Alex supported the restorative practices training for high school students in the participating Tri-Cities area. Recently she was named the Empowering Youth Program Coordinator, responsible for teaching restorative practices to middle and high school students, who serve as peer mediators to the student body. Alex has a broad management background, including leading teams, training and coaching staff and managers and facilitating group process. She is in the process of completing her certificate in mediation at the Justice Institute.
Contact: alex@cerasociety.org