Volunteers Making the Difference

As LCJP approaches 20 years of service, we would like to thank our founder, Beverly Title, for paving the way and Chief Mike Butler for his integral support and partnership.

The following community partners, police officers, and volunteers were awarded for their service in providing and supporting restorative processes to the Longmont and Boulder County community at the Annual Volunteer Appreciation Party and BBQ on June 6th at Ollin Farms.

LCJP is lucky to have the assistance and expertise of many different community partners in building a support network around the circle participants to ensure processes are successful and safe. This community of partners is made up of many different nonprofits and government agencies. It includes, but is not limited to, counseling programs, educational services, medical services, shelters, and volunteer programs.

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The 5th Annual Student Restorative Justice Team Retreat took place at Cal-Wood Education Center in Jamestown, CO on May 29th with 21 students in attendance. School Resource Officers Sanner and Malterud acted as chaperones and participants with students from 6 schools. RPS Training Development Intern Ollin Montes helped lead the training, along with RPS Program Manager, Laura Snider, RPS Case Coordinator, Lupita Chavez, and RPS Intern Adilene Taboada. Using Raccoon Circles activities, the students followed  the  5 R's  throughout  the  day, discussing how they show up at school and in real life. Activities included Raccoon Circles, silent hike, Cal-Wood teambuilding, repair canvasses, and Connection Circles. By far the favorite activities were the ones on relationship building, teamwork and repair. Only 7 of the students who participated had ever been on the Student RJ Team Retreat previously. Excitement ran high as students discussed participating in the upcoming 40-hour Student Summer Training Institute in July.

Youth in our Schools & Community 

Before the end of school, the Restorative Practices in Schools program went into three classrooms to work with groups of students on RJ principles. Two of those classes used Connection Circles to address issues of disrespect and violation of classroom norms. After an initial community-building circle, students identified ways they see the 5 R's, (Relationship, Respect, Responsibility, Repair, and Reintegration) in their classroom and real life. One of the Student RJ Team members led a discussion about how it feels when people are respecting one another and the teacher. The class then had an opportunity to discuss ways the 5 R's were not being upheld and the impact it had on the feeling of the class. Many students had insightful reflections and were able to express how it affects them personally and at school. At the end, each student made a commitment for what they could do moving forward to shift the classroom dynamics. Both classes have asked for a follow-up presentation to "check in" after a few weeks. The third class is reading Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen, a story about Cole, a young boy who is referred to circle justice after a violent assault. His initial attempt to manipulate the circle had severe consequences and the story is about his process of learning to control his anger, take responsibility and make things right with the victim.   

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