A Smart Car Raffle in Support of Communities for Restorative Justice
Cathy DeFuria
- an innovative program for youth offenders that is currently
being introduced in Acton & Boxborough -
Communities for Restorative Justice (C4RJ) is currently working with a
group of local volunteers and the Acton and Boxborough Police
Departments to implement a Restorative Justice Program that deals with
first time youth offenders who have committed minor offenses.
C4RJ is currently sponsoring the raffle of a Smart Car as a fund
raiser for the multi-community program. The car will be displayed and
tickets will be sold at the ABRHS-CCHS football game on Oct. 3rd and
at Octoberfest on Oct. 4th.
To learn more about the raffle or purchase a ticket you can go to
C4RJ's website at www.C4RJ.com or call the C4RJ office at
978-318-3467. The drawing is scheduled to be held on November 1st.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE RESTORATIVE JUSTICE INITIATIVE
Smart Car Raffle
Communities for Restorative Justice (C4RJ) is currently conducting a
raffle of a brand new, fuel-saving Smart Car that was donated by Herb
Chambers Car Dealer to help raise money to support C4RJ's effort to
expand restorative justice services in Acton, Boxborough and other
communities in the region by training police officers, recruiting and
training new volunteers, engaging our schools and other organizations
involved with youth in the process, and helping to inform the larger
community about the process.
The Communities for Restorative Justice (C4RJ), a nonprofit
organization that has been functioning in Concord and Carlisle for
approximately seven years, is now working in partnership with the two
local police departments and a group of local residents to introduce
the restorative justice process in Acton and Boxborough. Also, with
only a full-time Executive Director on C4RJ's staff and a few
part-time staff, the effort relies heavily upon a pool of committed
community volunteers to provide its services.
What is Restorative Justice?
Restorative justice is an innovative approach to dealing with criminal
offenses. It begins with the understanding that crime is not only a
breaking of the law, but also results in direct harm to people. The
approach acknowledges that those most affected by a crime – victims,
offenders, family members, and community members – should have a say
in how to address the incident. The current C4RJ program is limited
primarily to first time youth offenders who have committed minor
offenses, such as, vandalism, trespassing, shop lifting, and
minor-in-possession of drugs or alcohol cases.
The first step in the process is to convene a voluntary 'Circle'
meeting of people who have been affected by the youth's crime.
Participants include the youth offender, parents, victims, supporters,
a police officer, and several community members. At that meeting, the
youth is asked to explain what took place; the victim(s) is given a
chance to ask questions, to share the impact that the incident had on
him/her, and to state their needs; and other participants are then
invited to offer their observations. Before the meeting ends, the
Circle members agree on an action plan whereby the youth will attempt
to repair the damage that has been done. The action plan may include
financial restitution, the return of stolen items, letters of apology,
and service to the victim or other forms of community service. Once
the youth has completed all of the items in the action plan, a
'Closing Circle' is held to review what has been done, to assess
whether or not the victim's needs have been met, and to encourage the
youth to avoid such behaviors in the future. For alcohol or drug
related offenses, there is usually no victim involved. The two
Circle meetings are held; and the youth is required to have an
alcohol/drug assessment by a professional, attend an alcohol/drug
education program, and do community service.
Acton-Boxborough Initiative
In 2007, the leadership of C4RJ initiated discussions with the Chief
of Police in Acton; and he requested that they bring the program to
Acton. Several months later, a meeting was held with the Boxborough
Chief of Police; and he also requested that the program be brought to
Boxborough. Both Chiefs have expressed strong support for the
program. A local group of volunteers then began to meet to help plan
the implementation of the program. Meetings have also been held with
a cross section of people in the community who work with youth, with
the Acton-Boxborough Clergy Counsel, and with several Assistant
Principals from the high school and junior high. For 2008-2009, the
Acton-Boxborough United Way has awarded C4RJ a $3,500 grant to help
support the local initiative; and C4RJ has received other grants in
support of its overall mission.
A training and orientation program was recently provided for Acton
police officers; and it will be offered for Boxborough officers within
the next few months. Five local volunteers are currently serving as
members of the fiver C4RJ Circles that are dealing with cases in
Concord, Carlisle, Acton, and Boxborough, The first Acton case was
referred to the program in April; and it is expected that the
referrals will continue to grow over the next 6-12 months.