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SAVE THE DATE!

Mark down June 20, 2014 for CRP's "Fresh Voices, Vintage Wines" Fundraiser Event!
 
Stay tuned for more details.
Meet Gail
Welcome to our new office series. Stay tuned each month as we interview our staff!
 
When did you begin working for CRP? I began working at CRP in June 2013, transitioning from SLV Mental Health Center.

How did you first become interested in conflict resolution? I have been working with youth for almost 10 years now and conflict is one of the biggest issues I faced so I became very interested on how to help resolve issues.

What do you find rewarding about your current position?Every day is something new and I am able to help families in my community. To everyone it seems to help in the smallest way but to the families, it's a huge help. I am able to reach families on a personal level, allowing them to receive services and look at a life through a different lens. 

When is your favorite time of year? Why? Winter because I love to ice fish, and cuddle up to a warm stove.

What is your favorite drink? Oh my, my favorite drink would have to be a nice warm latte from Starbucks. 

Where can you be found on a Sunday night? You would find me at my mom and dad's house either watching football or making food for all the family.

If you were an animal, what animal would you be? I would definitely be a butterfly; free, multicolored with bold, beautiful colors, and admired.

 

What is your "guilty pleasure"? The one and only chocolate!
"Another Day In The Office"
Paula peeks out from inside the Bistro Rialto's Ice Castle! 
February 2014
 
It's hard to believe we are one month into the new year! In Colorado, 2014 brings exciting new Restorative Justice opportunities for juveniles. You can read more about the launch of Colorado's Restorative Justice Pilot Program below. We are also excited to introduce four new board members who will help integrate Restorative Justice programming in this community. Upcoming events this month include CRP's Community Mediation Training for those interested in becoming a volunteer mediator for CRP or simply developing communication and facilitation skills.
Community Mediation Training

We will be running an Community Mediation Training on Friday, February 28 and Saturday, March 1, 2014. Trainees must attend BOTH sessions to receive a certificate of completion. This training will certify you to be a volunteer mediator with Center for Restorative Programs. Join us for a day of skill building and roleplay exercises as we prepare you to be mediators with CRP. 

Friday, February 28, 1:00-8:00 PM and
Saturday, March 1, 8:30-4:30 PM

Location TBA
Training cost: $100

Please register by Wednesady, February 26. Call our office at 589-5255 for any questions or concerns. We hope to see you there!
Welcome New CRP Board Members!
CRP is excited to welcome five new board members to our Board of Directors. Read more about their involvement with Restorative Justice in our community.
  
Robert Jackson is Deputy Chief and Support Services Commander for Alamosa Police Department (APD). Jackson served with the VALE Board to incorporate restorative justice into Alamosa Municipal Court and the APD. After seeing the difficulties of youth in detention centers, Jackson would like to "open doors into the Law Enforcement Community which may be difficult to enter otherwise."
 
Selena Espinoza is an education administrator with Centennial Schools. She has experience working with CRP youth in our community.

Tammy Sullivan is an attorney with Colorado Legal Services. She has worked with youth in the justice system and served as a teacher in a detention center. Sullivan is new to the Valley but excited to be a part of CRP programming.
 
Joe Martinez is the Assistant Vice-President at Alamosa State Bank and currently serves as Chair of the Judicial Performance Commission for the 12th Judicial District.
Launch of Colorado's RJ Pilot Project
January 1, 2014 marked the official start of the House Bill 1254 Restorative Justice Pilot Project. Center for Restorative Programs is working with several organizations on this project. The Alamosa Municipal Court will begin offering juvenile diversion to restorative justice programs through CRP. CRP has also renewed its involvement with juvenile justice at the Alamosa District Court. We are excited to explore and develop these partnerships as one of four pilot sites in Colorado. 
Zehr Institute Webinar Series
This year, CRP will be hosting the Zehr Institute Webinars each month. All webinars take place from 2:30-4:00 PM and will be projected at the CRP office. Webinars cover a variety of topics, seeking to engage in a conversation on restorative justice. February's webinar will discuss "The New Jim Crow," by Michelle Alexander. In her book, Alexander addresses the issue of racial discrimination in the criminal justice system. Find out more about this book at newjimcrow.com and join us for a conversation with Jacqueline Roebuck Sakho, Shiv Desai, and Nekima Levy-Pounds on Tuesday, February 18 at 2:30 PM. 

 

Webinar schedule for this spring: 

February 18

A Critical Conversation with "The New Jim Crow" 

Jacqueline Roebuck Sakho, Shiv Desai, and 

Nekima Levy-Pounds

 

March 19

Possibility or Pipedream: A Restorative Social Justice Movement with Dana Greene

 

April 23

Restorative Justice & the arts

Jane Golden

 

May 14

Restorative Justice & Neuroscience

Cheryl Talley

 

For more information on these webinars or on the Zehr Institute for Restorative Justice, visit www.emu.edu/cjp/restorative-justice. Please let our office know if you are interested in attending one or more webinars, or simply join us on the day! 
January Review
Rethinking Drinking Circles start January 2014

Center for Restorative Programs held its first Rethinking Drinking circle in January. Five youth and their supportive adults attended two three-hour sessions on January 16 and January 23. Together, participants addressed the concept of impact, brainstorming ways that one action can impact self, family, and community. Facilitators also provided educational material on alcohol use and underage possession. Youth created individualized action plans to address the harms created by their decisions and will have five weeks to complete their projects. Special thanks to our first facilitators; Christine Clock and Stuart Figueroa, and our community volunteers; Asha Holsopple and Ty Coleman. We are encouraged by this first circle and look forward to further developing this program.
2013 Annual General Meeting

 

CRP was excited to have an excellent turnout for the Annual General Meeting on January 23 at the Bistro Rialto. Over 40 people attended the dinner and program. During the program, CRP staff Luke Yoder, Heather Driedger and Laurel Woodward presented on Juvenile Diversion. In 2013, CRP and the 12th Judicial District were chosen as one of the four pilot sites in Colorado for RJ Juvenile Diversion Implementation for HB 1254. Since the bill was passed, CRP has been busy building partnerships with the courts, law enforcement and schools to provide juveniles in conflict with restorative justice programs. A new CRP diversion program highlighted during the presentations was "Rethinking Drinking," a circle based approach for minors in alcohol possession/consumption cases. 

 

CRP recognized several people as part of the program. Rose Maestas received the "Handy Andy Award" for her generous contributions to our office space design. Stuart Figueroa and Ty Coleman became CRP's "Volunteer Mediator of the Year" for 2013. And in recognition of their dedication to restorative justice, Neil and Elise Rudolph received the first "Cornerstone Award." The Rudolphs helped plan for and support the Restorative Justice Summit last November which brought together local leaders, youth-serving professionals, and community members in an effort to raise awareness of restorative justice in the San Luis Valley. We are grateful for each of these volunteers and for the many others who make our programming possible.

 

 

Following the program was a Board meeting. Board transitions included saying good-bye to Virginia Svaldi and Greg Bervig and welcoming four new board members to the team.  The new board members include, School Administrator Celinia Espinosa, Alamosa Police Captain Robert Jackson, Attorney Tammy Sullivan, and Vice President of Alamosa State Bank Joe Martinez.

 

With a new calendar year CRP looks forward to another busy year of "strengthening community in the San Luis Valley by bridging conflict and restoring relationships." Special thanks Julie Nuanes for taking pictures of the event. You can view our photo album here.

Upcoming Events
February
Feb. 18       Zehr Institute Webinar - A Critical Conversation with "The New Jim Crow"
Feb. 28       Mediation Training, 1-8 PM 

March/April
Mar. 1         Mediation Training, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

June
Jun. 20        Annual CRP "Fresh Voices, Vintage Wines" Fundraiser *coming soon*
Center for Restorative Programs | [email protected] | http://www.restorativeprograms.org
714 3rd St.
Alamosa, CO 81101
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