Full Circle Restorative Justice (FCRJ) was awarded $10,600 by the Chaffee County Women Who Care (CCWWC) to use toward the new Transformative Community Conversation program.
Many groups and individuals throughout Chaffee County have been and continue to ask for restorative services for conflicts and important community issues that need thoughtful discussion and resolution. Schools are looking for ways to engage students, deal with behavioral needs and conflicts that don’t isolate and stigmatize young people, thus pushing them further down a path toward incarceration.
According to FCRJ, there is a movement and desire from all ages and backgrounds who have reached out to discuss how to build understanding and move forward as a community.
FCRJ Executive Director, Kimberly Parker said, “We must approach conflict, harm and crime caused to us and by us with an approach that does not further create violence and aggression. Restorative practices humanize and develop empathy; the ripple effects are generational.”
People pictured from left to right: Karen Lundberg (CCWWC), Pam Groebner (CCWWC), Beverly Kampen (CCWWC), Kimberly Parker (Full Circle Restorative Justice), Ken Matthews (FCRJ), Lesley Futon (FCRJ), Stephanie Jones (FCRJ). Image courtesy of Karen Lundberg.
FCRJ services and programs aim to increase the health and safety of the community through restorative prevention and intervention. This new program allows FCRJ to be the center of conflict transformation in Chaffee County.
The City of Salida recently received a micro-grant from the Restorative Justice Council to hire FCRJ to facilitate important community conversations arising in various local convenings. The Transformative Community Conversation program was created from conversations and requests from the community. With the support of CCWWC, FCRJ will be able to offer restorative justice facilitated community dialogues to transform conflict across Chaffee County.
FCRJ Board Secretary, Lesley Fulton says that lives have been transformed with their restorative justice participants during cases referred by the district attorney and municipal courts. “Imagine what we can accomplish when we expand our restorative work, with the support of community members, elected officials, service providers, and leaders,” added Fulton.
This CCWWC funding will allow FCRJ to show future grantors that community support is needed to sustain the program. CCWWC has given $91,300 to charitable organizations in Chaffee County since 2018. Nonprofits and women interested in possibly receiving a donation or more information on how to become a member are asked to contact Karen Lundberg at klundberg@centurylink.net.
Recent Comments