Come See Our New Blog ibarji.ning.com

BARJ in Illinois - Cook County

Neighborhood Restorative Justice Institute, Inc. (NRJI)
155 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 563
Chicago , IL 60601

Phone: (312) 616-4465
Email: Lizjim.enteract@rcn.com
Contact: Elizabeth J. Vastine

What RJ practice/s do you use?
Conferencing, Circles and Victim Offender Dialogue

Specific services offered:
Previously managed, supervised and developed the Cook County Victim Offender Conferencing Project which provided an opportunity for youth, parent/guardian, victim, victim support persons and community facilitators to discuss what happened, how it happened, how the incident impacted all involved and to determine how to make amends so that all may move forward. Partnered with Cook County juvenile justice agencies.

At present, provide facilitation and training in conflict resolution, communication, community building, restorative philosophy and restorative justice practices to schools, academic institutions, community organizations, social service agencies, professional associations, juvenile justice system, and police.

What population do you serve?
Diverse

How/where do you get referrals?
Referrals to the Cook County Victim Offender Conferencing Project came from the Cook County State 's Attorney's Office.

Training and facilitation referrals come from colleagues, i.e. professionals active in the juvenile justice system, schools, academia and community organizations.

Does your process, program or activity show equal concern for victims, offenders and the community of those affected?
Yes

Does the process, program or activity encourage the offender to feel accountable for his conduct, and be willing to repair the harm caused to the victim and the community of those affected, in a way that focuses on the competency development of the offender?
Yes

Does the process, program or activity provide opportunities for dialogue, direct and/or indirect, between all of the community of those affected, including the victim and offender?
Yes

Does the process, program or activity encourage collaboration to restore and develop positive relationships among the members of the community of those affected, including the victim and the offender?
Yes

Does the process, program or activity empower the community of those affected to increase its capacity to recognize and respond to harm and crime in a restorative justice way?
Yes

In what ways are you evaluating your program?
Evaluations provided to participants at the completion of a Conference, Circle and/or training.