Meet the Herd: Lauren
Meet Lauren, one of the Zebra Herd’s Justice Navigators. She shares what she loves about her role, how her days at the courthouse differ from those spent at the Zebra Centre, and much more.
Q: Tell us about your role as Justice Navigator (Court Supports), the Zebra Centre:
Lauren: As a Justice Navigator (Court Supports), I assist children and families in preparing for upcoming court matters by facilitating child-friendly court preparations and Crown meetings. Additionally, I provide court accompaniment when necessary. In this role, I am also responsible for coordinating with our EPS and RCMP partners to receive updates on Youth offender files.
Q: What does a typical “day in the life” as Justice Navigator look like?
Lauren: There is no such thing as a typical day at the Zebra Centre, especially when it comes to court! In this role, I’ve learned to always expect the unexpected.
On a “typical” court day, we meet families bright and early and bring them to our child-friendly waiting rooms before their testimony. Because court often involves long periods of waiting, these rooms are stocked with snacks, video games, colouring materials, and other activities to help keep children comfortable and entertained. When it’s time for a child to testify, we ensure they have access to testimonial aids—such as a child-friendly courtroom, video conferencing, or privacy screens—to help them feel as at ease as possible. My main goal in court is to make an uncomfortable situation manageable, equipping children with the tools and confidence they need to do their best.
When I’m at the Centre, my days are usually a bit more predictable. I spend my time doing a mix of administrative and hands-on work, including file updates, phone calls, and meetings with children to help them understand the criminal justice system. I work one-on-one with our kiddos to explain what court looks like, what kinds of questions they might be asked, and what to expect as they prepare for trial.
Q: What do you love most about your role?
Lauren: I love helping kids feel empowered throughout their court experience. Going to court can be intimidating, even for most adults, so it’s easy to imagine how overwhelming it can feel for a child. Being able to guide them through the process, explain what to expect, and help ease their worries is incredibly rewarding.
Q: What is your proudest moment at the Zebra Centre so far?
Lauren: In my role as a Justice Navigator, I always strive to meet children where they are at. This often requires creativity, especially during court preparation, to help them feel comfortable and engaged in the learning process.
One moment that stands out to me was during a court prep session with a young girl who wasn’t interested in sitting and listening to me talk about court. Instead, she wanted to play pretend and have a picnic—so that’s exactly what we did. We spread out a blanket on the floor, brought out some snacks, and talked about court during our “picnic” She remained engaged and ended our prep with a huge smile on her face. Making the process a little bit easier is what makes me proud to work at the Centre.
Q: What motivates you to show your stripes (your why)?
Lauren: Often, children hold onto abuse disclosures for an average of three years. Whether it's because they are scared or perhaps, they don't know that they are being abused until they are older. However, when children do finally find the courage to disclose abuse, statistically it takes three separate grownups before the disclosure is taken seriously. The incredible bravery and resilience that children and youth demonstrate when sharing their stories inspires me to show my stripes. I show my stripes to raise awareness, educate adults on how to respond effectively to disclosures, and advocate for the prevention of child abuse.
Q: Lastly, share a surprising or fun fact about you.
Lauren: I am an avid plant lover and collector! My partner and I have over 40 house plants in our tiny one-bedroom apartment.