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ShareFor immediate release Communities for Restorative Justice Receives Prestigious Challenge GrantThe Cahn Funds for Social Change has announced a challenge grant to Communities for Restorative Justice (C4RJ), a group that offers a complement to the criminal justice system to those affected by crime in the region. Between February 14 and April 15, 2011, the Cahn Funds will match every donation, dollar for dollar, up to $6,000. Communities for Restorative Justice is a Fiscal Sponsorship project of Third Sector New England. "We began supporting C4RJ in 2010 and have been so impressed with their work in our community," says Cahn Funds Trustee Marjie Cahn. "Knowing that times are tough for nonprofits now, we want this challenge to spur others to give too." The Cahn Funds for Social Change was founded in 2000. Based in Somerville, Mass., it supports a variety of important youth, diversity and education-related social change initiatives. In 2010, the Cahn Funds provided a capacity-building grant to C4RJ to support a much-needed expanded role for the C4RJ chief case coordinator position. "This generous Cahn challenge grant comes at an important time for us," says Jennifer Larson Sawin, C4RJ executive director. "We’re immensely grateful for those who donated to our recent annual appeal. But if any potential donors were on the fence, we hope that this ‘twice-as-nice’ match will make a difference." C4RJ partners with police departments in Acton, Ayer, Boxborough, Cambridge, Carlisle, Concord, Everett, Groton and Littleton. In C4RJ’s restorative "circle" process, offenders and the people they harm meet face to face, along with trained volunteers, community members and police personnel. The "circle" develops a plan of repair, which consists of steps the offender will take to make amends and to learn more about the consequences of his or her actions. Repair measures are customized to the needs of the victim and are also tailored to help the offender learn and be accountable. Completing the repair allows an offender to avoid a court record for the crimes committed. C4RJ does not take any case if the victim vetoes the referral or if the offender does not own up to the crime. In 2010, C4RJ offered restorative justice in 110 cases, representing 35% growth over 2009. The program has been recognized internationally and is unique in its partnership between community and police. A recent study of its caseload during its first 10 years indicates C4RJ has a recidivism rate of just 16%. That compares with a nationwide study that found recidivism of 27% in cases that were processed through the conventional criminal justice system. Moreover, victims’ self-reported satisfaction with C4RJ’s approach is at 89%, which compares to 57% satisfaction among victims who go through the conventional criminal justice system, according to the same nationwide study. Those who are interested in the Cahn Funds Challenge can learn more by visiting Communities for Restorative Justice for information about the challenge, case studies on the restorative justice "circle" process, and ways to donate. Also visit Communities for Restorative Justice to learn more about it as well as more about restorative justice, donating and volunteer opportunities. ### |
