Victim-offender reconciliation programs (VORP) are community-based programs which offer the courts and communities a different way of dealing with the aftermath of crime. Such programs provide an opportunity for a victim and an offender to meet face-to-face in order to find a mutually satisfying solution to the offence and its effects.  These programs, which represent relatively recent initiatives in the justice field, are nonetheless, based on old-fashioned ideals of  making peace between people and healing the broken-ness which crime causes.

The first VORP was initiated in Kitchener, Ontario, in 1974. It grew out of the Joint activity of the Ministry of Correctional Services and the Mennonite Central Committee. In 1980, the program had become independent, and was operated  on a contract basis with the local probation office.

VORP in Durham Region began in December, 1981, under the auspices of the Social Planning Council of Ajax-Pickering which contracted with Pickering Probation and Parole Services. In April, 1986, the program became incorporated as an independent, non-profit organization administered by a voluntary board of directors. The main funding source from the beginning of the program has been the Ontario Ministry of Correctional Services.

However, some contributions have been made from time to time by local churches and service organizations. The new “umbrella” title, chosen to replace VORP, was Community Justice Alternatives of Durham Region (CJA). Services provided by CJA include victim-offender reconciliation, the preparation of victim impact reports and other services to victims.

Reconciliation, a term seldom heard fifteen years ago in criminal justice circles, constituted the essence of the first VORPs in Canada and the United States and continues to do so in many of today's programs. The early program planners sought a method for peacefully resolving or reconciling the personal conflicts created by various crimes. Crime was perceived as producing conflict that must be resolved by victim, offender and community represented by volunteer mediators.

In 1997, CJA started providing two Community Service Order Programs for Durham Region. The clientele served were ages 16 to adults. These Programs provide opportunities for offenders to use their leisure time to fulfil court-ordered hours while obtaining skills and experience in the community. The community in return is provided with valuable volunteer assistance.