Restorative Justice Community Action, Inc. has earned widespread recognition for successful outcomes. As of July 2008, we had coordinated community conferences for 2,088 cases. Offenders have contributed 14,167 hours of community service to the neighborhoods where they committed their offenses. They have also written 1089 letters of apology and donated $15,577 dollars to local charities, social service agencies, and community organizations. Overall, offenders and community members report a 96% satisfaction rate with the program.
At every step in the process, offenders are treated with respect and are recognized as having the ability to contribute something positive to the neighborhoods they have harmed.
Giving Back to the Community: Examples of Neighborhood Service Projects
- Loading and unloading food donations at the Groveland Emergency Food Shelf at Plymouth Church in Stevens Square
- Loading donations and cleaning at the Steeple People Surplus Store
- Sorting and cleaning at St. Stephen’s Kateri Residence
- Serving meals with St. Martin’s Table located on the West Bank
- Sorting recycling with UMN recycling program
- Cooking and cleaning in the food center at House of Charity in Elliot Park
- Prepared and served meals at the Salvation Army in Downtown Minneapolis
- Weeding, planting, and hauling mulch in community gardens of South East Como
- Assisting with South East Como Improvement Association’s “Como Cookout”
- Indoor and outdoor cleaning projects at the Basilica of St. Mary’s
- In collaboration with the Marcy-Holmes Neighborhood Association, picking up litter in Dinkytown and in other areas of Marcy-Holmes including Marcy Park and Holmes Park
April-June 2008 Anecdotes
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Recently, a young man met with five community members for a conference in North Minneapolis to discuss his offense of Loiter w/Intent to Buy or Sell Narcotics and to work out an agreement to repair harm done to the community. Two of the community members that were involved are Willard-Homewood Organization participants, another is involved with the Police Activities League on the Northside, one is a Jordan neighborhood resident, and the other works at North Point. The agreement that the group worked out called for eight hours of service to be completed in the area of offense and three apology letters to be written (to the Willard-Homewood Organization, the Jordan Area Community Council, and to the property owner where the offense occurred). To complete his service, this young man worked with the Northside Residence Redevelopment Council, where he planted flowers and watered gardens in the community park. Additionally, he wrote the apology letters in which he apologizes for his actions and states that he is now working and attending summer school with the hopes of attending college upon graduating this summer.
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Another young man was charged with Loiter w/Intent to Buy or Sell Narcotics in the Whittier neighborhood and met with community member from that area to address his case in a restorative manner. At the conference, he met with two community members- one Whittier resident and a Whittier business owner. This group got creative and decided that the best way to repair the harm done to the community would be for this young man to set up a booth at the World of Whittier event that was upcoming, present on the effects of drugs and alcohol, and prepare/provide handouts on the topic. The young man registered for and attended the event. He sent in copies of the materials that he created, which included a “Myth vs. Fact” resource on drugs and alcohol.
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At a recent conference that took place in Downtown Minneapolis, a participant charged with Public Urination met with community members who live and work in the area to address the incident and work out an agreement. The group agreed that this participant, in coordination with the area’s Crime Prevention Specialist, would set up and give a presentation to U of M students on the effects of urinating in public. He successfully completed this agreed upon activity and sent in a copy of his slideshow presentation. Per his agreement, he also wrote a letter to the Minneapolis City Council addressing the issue of public restrooms and an apology letter to the property owner of where the offense occurred.
Quotes
A sampling of feedback from conference participants underscores the program's value:
“Opened my eyes to safety downtown- thank you” (Offender)
“I don’t want to say, ‘I’m glad I did it…’ but a lot of good will come of it” (Offender)
“Would like this program made more aware of in the community and court system”
“It has integrity and makes sense” (Community Member- U of M student)
“I become more humble and more open to understand why people do what they do, and not be judgmental and open my heart and mind” (Community Member- works in Whittier neighborhood)