Community Restorative Justice Center Inc

Community Restorative Justice Center Inc, or CRJC, is dedicated to fostering a secure environment where neighbors and parties involved in conflicts can work towards resolving disputes. Their primary goal is to restore relationships and encourage accountability for the harm caused. CRJC promotes the principles of restorative justice, with a victim-centric approach, in Caledonia and southern Essex counties in Vermont.

The organization's mission is twofold. Firstly, CRJC focuses on providing a safe space for parties to engage in conflict resolution, aiming to rebuild relationships and repair harm. Secondly, they are committed to promoting the concept of restorative justice, which encourages offenders to take responsibility for their actions and make amends to those affected. This approach is crucial in addressing the impact of crimes and fostering a sense of community healing.

CRJC's work is underpinned by several programs. The Reparative Program, which accounts for a significant portion of their total expenditure, supports individuals referred to attend a reparative process. This process involves taking responsibility for crimes, making amends to victims and affected parties, and devising a plan to prevent future offenses. CRJC employs a program coordinator and a victim liaison to manage this program, with assistance from volunteer restorative panels.

The Offender Reentry Program, another key CRJC initiative, coordinates "Circles of Support and Accountability" (CoSA). This program assists individuals reentering the community after incarceration, providing them with support to reintegrate successfully. CoSA involves weekly meetings with volunteers for a year, and CRJC employs a Reentry Coordinator to manage this program.

Lastly, Pretrial Services is a program that collaborates with responsible parties during the court process, offering brief mental health and substance misuse screenings. Tamarack, a more personalized case management program, is available for individuals with longer criminal records or ongoing mental health or substance misuse challenges.

In summary, Community Restorative Justice Center Inc is a nonprofit organization that promotes a victim-focused restorative justice approach to conflict resolution. They provide a safe space for parties to engage in conflict resolution and encourage accountability for harm caused. CRJC's mission is to restore relationships, repair harm, and promote restorative justice through various programs, including reparative processes, offender reentry support, and pretrial services.