Meet the Herd: Rosanne

Meet Rosanne, the Zebra Centre’s Rural Justice Navigator! She shares all about her very unique role on our team, her proudest moment, and more!

Q: Tell us about your role as Rural Justice Navigator at the Zebra Centre.

Rosanne: As the Rural Justice Navigator, my role is to deliver court preparation training & mentorship to Alberta Regional Victim Serving Society (VSS). VSS can then provide court preparation for those families and children in their local community. Additionally, I work closely with VSS and Crown Prosecutor’s office to book court preparation in our catchment area and how best to support families through the court process.

Q: What does a typical “day in the life” as Rural Justice Navigator look like?

Rosanne: Some days, I do court preparation at the Centre, other days I travel to communities to assist VSS with court preparation, mentoring VSS in the court preparations and providing them with feedback, so we can continue to improve our delivery service. On a weekly basis, I will contact VSS, Crown Prosecutor’s office to coordinate crown meeting and schedule court preparations. I will also contact families over the phone to book court preparation appointments directly and provide them with emotional support.

Q: What do you love most about your role?

Rosanne: I enjoy helping others learn and be better. I enjoy working closely with the children and families knowing I can help them through the court process, teaching them what court is about, helping them explore fears and worries and develop strategies to help when they go to court, so they feel more confident.

Q: What is your proudest moment at the Zebra Centre so far?

Rosanne: I had a child come into the Centre, when I went to introduce myself and tell them what was going to happen today, they provided no response they started to cry. I offered them a dog to go with them into their interview, at that moment their entire demeanor change, her body straighten from the slouch, she started to smile and shook her head “yes.” I brought the dog into the room, and she immediately interacted with the dog. Once she had completed her interview, she was talking, smiling. I was so happy to see how we can make such a change in a child.

Q: What motivates you to show your stripes (your why)?

Rosanne: Being about to see children come into the Centre, being so strong and brave. Some leave with a smile and just a bit more content. Knowing they allowed me to help and be part of their journey.

Q: Lastly, share a surprising or fun fact about you.

Rosanne: I like to knit and have made scarves and blankets and a few mittens, but they were not great. But I still had fun.