Quotes from our community. Building a Culture of Peace and Belonging

Quotes from our community.

Building a Culture of Peace and Belonging . . .

I liked hearing two speakers, from different perspectives, to see real people telling their painful stories

really hit home. Also, everyone's non judgmental attitudes felt safe.

Victim Impact Panel Participant

It was interesting to learn more about how involved the police department

and municipal judge are in restorative justice.

Community ConferenceVolunteer Community Member

Controlled Substance Intervention

When asked how would you describe this to a friend . . .

Great way to reach out to others

eye-opening, redefining

It was informative and very emotionally involving

I loved the circle process and plan to use it to better my relationships with

others by continuing on with the values it taught me to always

remember including love, honesty, commitment & the value of people.

Training Participant

the program required a solution and provided a respectful environment for

discussion.

Victim Empathy SeminarVictim

Underage Consumption Panels

• Circle process, includes a speaker/storyteller and community members.

• CHOICES booklet used – focused on reducing the risk and harm associated with underage drinking. Emphasis on community impact and specific behavior changes.

Great experience, amazing to see the difference in people's attitudes from

beginning to end.

Community ConferenceVolunteer Community Member

I liked hearing two speakers, from different perspectives, to see real people telling their painful stories

really hit home. Also, everyone's non judgmental attitudes felt safe.


The process training has helped me respond better, more authentically to

others and have positive tools for dealing with conflict


It makes you feel whole and helps you to heal scars.

Underage Consumption PanelVolunteer Community Member

The story from the mother, it made me think of how my own mother would react. I'm 25 and I just noticed when I got here that my mom must have put a bag of carrots in my

purse. She still thinks of me as her little girl and losing me would crush her. I didn’t

think about that till now.


Safe Teen Driving Circles

• Used by area drivers ed classes, and high school teachers. Featured on MN Public TV and KARE 11 News.

• Originally a RF Municipal Court and RF PD program, expanded to include a Safe Teen Driving Circle.

• Diversion program for youth offenders/traffic violations.

Seeing the transformation of Cayla. At the beginning she was so angry but

towards the end she started laughing and opening up.

Community ConferenceCommunity Volunteer



beneficial and eye openinga life changing experience that does

effect your outlook on thingsWell its a very good program and I feel

that it is verry benifical to the recovery process

having my classmates show their true feelings. it was amazing to see my

peers open up. I cant believe what an impact this speaker had! one of the most positive experiences I’ve ever

had.

Safe Teen Driving CircleParticipant

I knew next to nothing about the circle process, but after attending Kris'

training session I believe I possess the skills to not only get started but be

successful.


i come in here not thinking i would be affected like i was. i'm in complete awe, and have a lot to think about!


Victim-Offender Conferencing

• Victim-centered. When victims understand the process and intention, they are more likely to participate. SCVRJP can clearly explain options for victims. Including:– Sending information or a representative– Preparing and meeting directly with the

offender– Speaking of the crime to a group that does not

include the offender specific to the victim.

• Focus on Impact, harms and making things right.

I am glad they have this class. It helped me realize what can happen if I

were to make bad decisions when drinking. The community members

were very nice and had a lot of touching stories.

Underage Consumption Panel

Participant

“the event as a whole was fantastic. i like the feeling of trust and

understanding in the circle.”

Victim Empathy SeminarVolunteer Community Member

The training reminded me that every kid has a story & it takes a willingness to look beyond their behaviors to truly listen & understand who the child is.


Thank you again for teaching this class you give kids like me a chance to show the

community and family that I am better than what I was. I want you to know I am not

drinking till I am 21 and I am going to count my drinks. Thanks a lot, I will never forget you. You are a super hero of your own kind.

Thanks again.

Underage Consumption PanelParticipant

Serving Victims

• There maybe situations where offenders are not ‘caught’. SCVRJP serves all victims, regardless of legal status of the crime. In some cases attending an event is a helpful introduction to restorative justice.

• SCVRJP recognizes the six core rights of victims*, and approaches RJ with these in mind.– Safety (a sense of safety for victims). – Information/notification (answers to questions). – Choice (the choice to participate or not participate). – Testimony (a chance to testify to their truth). – Validation (respect for and acknowledgment of the

victim’s experiences). – Restitution (the full and prompt payment of restitution).

*Vermont Center for Crime Victim Services.

I really like the idea of having a Circle because it helped everyone connect to the mom who was speaking about her

daughter’s death.




a great way to get your story off your chest and gain strength, knowledge and understanding from others stories

The circle process was a powerful one that opened my mind to a new

opportunity for the school environment.


It was an eye opening experience that changed everyone’s views victim,

offenders, and community members.

Underage Consumption PanelCommunity Volunteer

Serving Victims

• Conference approaches can be “agreement” or “dialogue” focused. SCVJRP uses a dialogue approach; research has shown this has a more restorative impact for victims.

• Community Conferencing is more of an “agreement” focused service. Victims select the service most appropriate to their needs.

thank you for an excellent experience! you and your volunteers are

wonderful. i really got so much more out of this than i expected, and my

expectations were high!

Training SessionParticipant

Victim Empathy Seminars

• Circle process – involves offenders from different crimes and supporting community members. Juveniles must have a parent attend.

• Community members provide feedback on community expectations.

Working with SCVRJP gives me a chance to impact a group of young people from the community. And, a chance to feel good about myself in

the process.

Underage Consumption PanelCommunity Volunteer

Trainings & Workshops

• Provided on site, for local community & volunteers

• Attended by those out of our service area (NY & California guests)

• Contracts available to bring SCVRJP to your site (Idaho & Washington DC)

The simplicity yet so dynamic an experience to share, support & heal

wounds on so many levels.


It had a large affect on me, it was real and a very serious story. It makes you

think trice about every choice you make.



• Created at the request of the Courts.• Circle process, storytelling by

survivors is powerful.• Many new speakers recruited.• Addresses both legal and illegal

substance use (k2, spice, incense)

The mix of community members and offenders was most beneficial. I

particularly appreciated hearing the offenders "story" and the sincerity of

their letters


Serving Offenders

• RJ is a place to completely explain yourself. “Confession is good for the soul”.

• The full impact of crime/wrongdoing is explained directly and respectfully, leading to greater understanding.

• A place for expressing remorse, accountability and acknowledging lessons learned is available in RJ.

i liked getting a parents perspective on this tragic event. it shows not only what it does to your self but every one

in your life.


i thought it was so amazing that Mrs. Remer can share her experience with us. i

really think she will change a lot of people's minds about drinking and driving, not

wearing seatbelts, talking on a cell phone while driving, and just being attentive. i

think it is really cool this will change peoples lifes.


Community Members

• Allows for direct input regarding community issues.

• Provides a place to support victims and victimizers so that both can move on in a better way.

• Meaningful community involvement, volunteer experiences that truly make a difference.

i respect you so much for having the courage to retell this tragity in your life. your story greatly impacted me

and i will surly think about it often. it definately will impact my driving

decisions.


persons unfamiliar with each other enter into profound sharing, caring

and honesty


Victim Impact Panels

• Classroom style – speakers are typically victim/survivor, offender and community member. Providing stories of lives changed forever by the choice to drink & drive.

• Positive feedback regarding the respect of the speakers, the depth of the stories. Evaluation forms show a commitment to change behavior related to drinking and driving.

I learned more than expected, a real eye-

opener!!

Training SessionParticipant

Serving Victims

• We specialize in services that empower victims. Giving them voice and support to speak directly to the person that harmed them. The incident is transformed into one the victim has control over.

• Processing trauma includes reconstructing one’s life events. Car crashes involving impaired drivers are traumatic and preventable. Victim/survivor speakers find storytelling a healing and transformative process. Some describe the experience as “therapy”.

The circle concept was used to teach everyone involved not only , love and honesty but also acceptance of self and others. The circle concept has

also developed a desire in me to pass on this wonderful process in helping

heal others.


I really appreciate how no one is judging here and how both offenders and victims speak. It is very different

from other panels. I actually felt kindness in the room.


Community Conferences

• Can be used to have ‘community’ develop what needs to happen to repair the harm.

• Used when multiple offenders are responsible.

• Used for crimes that do not impact a broader community, representatives attend.

• Community may assist and support in community service options.

SCVRJPRestorative Justice Center215 N 2nd Street, Suite 108

River Falls, WI 54022

[email protected]

www.scvrjp.org

(715)425-1100

Please contact us if you are interested in becoming a volunteer.

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.scvrjp.org/

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Quotes from our community. Building a Culture of Peace and Belonging