Restorative Community Panels in the University-SE Minneapolis Area

A great opportunity for alumni to get involved!
Restorative Justice Community Action, Inc. has been working in the
University and Southeast Minneapolis neighborhoods for two years now,
bringing students, other members of the University community and
neighborhood stakeholders together with young adult offenders (most of whom
are also students) to address livability crimes in the area.  RJCA uses
Community Conferences and Community Panels to bring these participants
together, guided by the principles of restorative justice:
   ·          A space for open, honest dialogue about living in a community
   where one’s actions affect everyone else;
   ·          An opportunity for offenders to make amends and;
   ·          A chance for the needs of all to be met.
This fall Community Panels are being organized to address alcohol-related
disturbances including noisy parties, underage drinking, disorderly
conduct, drinking in public, and public urination.
Panels take place on Saturday mornings when RJCA brings together a dynamite
group of community voices from the neighborhood, the University, the
student body, and Health and Legal fields to give a comprehensive view of
the impact of alcohol-related incidents on the community and the
individual.  The panel of 6-8 individuals will speak with a group of up to
50 or 60 referred participants, all who were cited with alcohol-related
offenses.  Each panelist takes approximately five minutes to answer a set
of questions which they received beforehand so they are able to prepare
responses.  After the panel speaks, there is a chance for referred
participants to share any reflections on what was said.
Your voice as University staff or faculty is especially powerful as young
people see that other members of the University community are also
concerned and, that all are welcome to be engaged in the neighborhood
communities in a positive way.
Once the discussion is finished, later that afternoon referred participants
will meet for designated community service projects - anything from raking
with Southeast Seniors to graffiti removal to set-up and clean-up of
community events.  In one day, referred participants fulfill all program
requirements which leads to the dismissal of their citation; they learn the
impact of their offense on the neighborhood and hours later have the
opportunity to serve that same neighborhood.  Panelists are welcome to
volunteer alongside participants if they choose.
Are you interested in the opportunity to speak on a Community Panel about
the impact you see alcohol-related offense have on the University
community?
If so, we are currently seeking University panel members for the following
dates:
Saturday, October 7th  (9:00 am - 12:00 pm)
Saturday, October 21st (9:00 am - 12:00 pm)
Saturday, November 4th  (9:00 am - 12:00 pm)
Saturday, November 18th  (9:00 am - 12:00 pm)
Saturday, December 2nd  (9:00 am - 12:00 pm)
If you would like to be a panel member for these or future dates, please
contact Emily Buehler, Community Coordinator at the email or phone number
below
Thank you for considering this opportunity to get involved and to make a
difference in the University community!
Emily Buehler
Interim Community Coordinator
Restorative Justice Community Action, Inc.
612-341-1657
[email protected]