Virginia Center for Restorative Justice (VCRJ)

Restorative Justice: Why Do We Need it?

Restorative Justice: Why Do We Need it? • BRAVE NEW FILMS (BNF) WE DON'T MONETIZE OUR FILMS!As a result Google & Youtube don’t push our content or suggest it to viewers as often. It really helps us if you can subscribe AN...

The chief prosecutor in Arlington County is launching a new diversion effort with $340,000 in funding from the Justice Department.
You can read more about this story at VCRJ.org/current-news

“A Real World Guide To Restorative Justice” which can provide quick access to understanding Restorative Justice.

For more information about the book and ways to order go to VCRJ.org/Current-News.

Here is the VCRJ Annual Report for 2020 (in PDF format), containing news from the past year, announcements, a financial summary, and stories from volunteers.

vcrj.org

Dear Friends,

Thank you for supporting VCRJ through your volunteer work, prayer, donations, partnerships, and outreach on our behalf. We are grateful for everything that you do to make this work of healing and restoration possible.

Despite all of the challenges this year, we still managed to accomplish some great things. VCRJ received twelve new referrals for family group conferences this year, similar to the last few years. Between January and March, about ninety incarcerated people participated in our How to Handle Conflict classes, before the pandemic forced us to temporarily suspend the program. In the fall, we held several online workshops on restorative justice for staff members from the Department of Criminal Justice Services. In addition, volunteers and I have worked to create new workshops, update our curriculum, expand restorative justice services to another county, and begin developing several projects for the future.

Earlier this year, Bradford Howard retired from our Board of Directors after many years as a Board member and a volunteer with the How to Handle Conflict program. We are grateful for his contributions and his passion for serving and mentoring incarcerated people.

Unfortunately, several contracts and grant-funded projects had to be suspended or postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions, resulting in a major loss of funding. It has become clear that VCRJ will not have enough funds to continue paying a full-time employee through this pandemic. At my recommendation, the Board of Directors has decided that VCRJ will temporarily transition to a volunteer-run model, and I will leave at the end of December. VCRJ’s work will continue, being carried on by Board members and other volunteers until more funding is available.

It has been a privilege to serve with many of you the past two and half years, and I am grateful for the opportunity I have had to lead VCRJ’s mission in the community. I am proud of the work VCRJ has done to expand our training programs with schools and other organizations, to update and develop new curriculum, and to build new partnerships.

This emphasis on partnerships and equipping community organizations reflects our mission to “encourage respect and mutual empowerment in the community and demonstrate effective, evidenced-based, restorative practices.” In the midst of these changes, VCRJ remains deeply committed to its mission and the people we serve.

Respectfully yours,

Daniel Foxvog

Lashanda Singleton, a member of the VCRJ Board of Directors, was recently featured in Richmond Free Press for her work as president of the Richmond Chapter of the National Association of Black Social Workers. Keep up the good work!

Personality: Lashawnda S. Singleton From Miami to New York and finally Richmond, Lashawnda Shanell Singleton has seen and experienced the struggles of the poor and disadvantaged.

Restorative Justice in Education EMU's restorative justice in education program offers master's degree and graduate certificate options that can be tailored for K-12 teachers, administrators or other school leaders, community leaders, and social workers or school counselors. Along with a variety of electives, these can help you lea...

Carl Stauffer, Eastern Mennonite University professor and co-director Zehr Institute for Restorative Justice, was a recent guest on the “Dangerous Love” podcast. He spoke with host Chad Ford about South Africa’s truth and reconciliation process and its relevance to addressing the historic harms and trauma from systemic racism in the United States.

'Dangerous Love' podcast hosts Zehr Institute co-director Carl Stauffer - EMU News Carl Stauffer, Eastern Mennonite University professor and co-director Zehr Institute for Restorative Justice, was a recent guest on the “Dangerous Love” podcast. He spoke with host Chad Ford about South

VCRJ needs your support. Covid-19 has forced us to suspend our school training programs and classes for inmates in prison. We are continuing to offer other services by video conference. However, the suspended projects have caused VCRJ to lose thousands of dollars in revenue, threatening our ability to continue providing these restorative justice services. We invite you to support our ministry by donating at http://www.vcrj.org/how-to-help.html.