Chance, a champion for Restorative Justice

Leela Ramdeen, Chair, Catholic Commission for Social Justice writes on the loss of her friend, Wayne Chance.

Trinidad & Tobago has lost a true patriot in my friend, Wayne Chance, Founder and Executive President of Vision On Mission, which he founded in 1995.

He was 47 years of age when he died of cancer last Sunday night.

Proverbs 29:18 tells us that “Without a vision the people perish”. Wayne had a vision and he worked tirelessly and selflessly to realise this vision.

Having been incarcerated earlier in his life, he demonstrated how God can help us turn our lives around and inspire us to use our gifts as He intended.

Wayne devoted his life to assist e.g. former inmates and deportees. And as a radio host on i95.5FM he raised awareness of key social justice issues. He and I were members of Safe CommuniTT.

During a three-day workshop in Tobago in January 2018 with members of this group, I had an opportunity to spend some one-on-one time with him and was truly moved by his humanity; by his love for those whom society too often discard; for those on the margins.

My friend was right when she referred to him as the ‘poster boy’ for Restorative Justice. There are many in our Catholic Church who would have worked with Wayne in prison ministry. We all mourn his loss. We thank God for his life and his ministry. He has left us a legacy. Sincere condolences to his family.

May he rest in peace.