September News & Updates- Restorative Justice Program

Restorative Justice Program News & Updates

September 21, 2021 | Issue 12

The Journey to Change

Barbara Nelson, CSS Restorative Justice Program Director

Back in 2019, a small group of friends and I began what started off as a ninety-day fitness challenge. We agreed that for the next ninety days, we would compete to see who could log in the most workouts, healthy meals, and pounds lost per week. Soon after beginning our challenge, we realized that we didn’t want to compete against each other, so our fitness challenge morphed into a fitness journey. Whereas we had started this endeavor competing against one another, now we were on a journey, committed to encouraging and supporting one another. That change made all the difference in the world. In the end, we all came out winners.

Community Ambassador Highlight

Meet Joia Powell. Joia is a Campbell University alum where she received her undergraduate in psychology. She started working as an administrator for the Restorative Justice Clinic at Campbell Law School. After watching Joia fall in love with restorative practices, Jon Powell, who is the clinic's director, offered her an apprenticeship with the clinic. Several years later, the Kellogg Foundation provided an extra position to the Restorative Justice Clinic, and Joia happily took on that role. Joia still continues to work at Campbell Law in the Restorative Justice Clinic alongside her husband Jon. Joia explains that restorative justice was extremely healing for her, and she's grateful she can provide healing, meaningful and transformational work to others.

United Way Volunteer Fair

On August 31, Communities Supporting School staff participated in United Way's volunteer fair. It was a great event with so many non-profits sharing their information. We learned about new resources for our community in addition to recruiting some new volunteers.

SRO Trainings

The Restorative Justice staff was invited to speak at two School Resource Officer trainings. This training allowed us to share the resources and programs that we offer.

Structured Day Completion Ceremony

In August, Communities Supporting Schools staff attended Structured Day's Student Completion Ceremony. It was a great opportunity to get back out in the community and see some of our youth graduate from the summer program Structured Day offers.

Many thanks to Milas Kelly and Sharon Bell for providing support for these youth throughout the summer.

Teen Entrepreneur Workshop

September 7th was the first day of our Teen Entrepreneur Workshop. This is an 8-week program we are hosting for Wayne County students who have an entrepreneurial drive. Near the end of the workshop, students will have the opportunity to pitch their ideas to local businesses.

New Mentor Opportunities

The Core Foundation, Inc.

The Restorative Justice Program and the Core Foundation, Inc. are joining together in a partnership to provide mentoring opportunities for youth in Wayne County.

The Core Foundation was created by Dejuette Swain and Cyntoria Monroe. Both Air Force veterans who retired from Seymour Jonson AFB. The Core Foundation focuses on helping individuals do the work required to figure out their “what’s next."

Currently, The Core has 5 programs. Each program is focused on emotional & social awareness, self-development, self-care, fitness & nutrition and self-sufficient living.

Learn More