Dear Team CRJ,

As we dive into a busy holiday season, I want to take a moment to share just a few stories that capture the spirit of this season of giving.

• At Community Strategies Brookfield, our team found one of our individuals unresponsive and not breathing after choking. Using their emergency response training, Program Manager Alyda King and Residential Counselor Allie Skrocki cleared the airway and performed CPR until paramedics could arrive. Brookfield Director Penny Jimenez immediately went to the home to support her staff. I can proudly say this individual is doing well and is alive today because of the quick thinking of this incredible team.

• Our Family Reentry Team partnered with the Goddard School and Life Changing Ministries in North Haven to provide twenty Connecticut families with food baskets this Thanksgiving holiday. Because of their generosity, these families were well-fed this Thanksgiving weekend.

Our Western MA Reentry Center hosted a delicious Thanksgiving Dinner for their residents. In a truly humbling moment, residents participated in a gratitude circle and shared what they were thankful for. Each resident offered genuine gratitude for their freedom, sobriety, family, CRJ staff, and of course - the food! Thank you to the entire WMRC team: Shakia Lewis, Michael Angelica, Samantha Buteau, Daizysha Brown, Rey Gotay-Cuadrado, Anny Reha and Alex Ramsey for their hours of preparation and dedication to their residents.

• At Coolidge House, our Assistant Program Director David Flynn witnessed a drug overdose near the main entrance of the building. While this individual was unaffiliated with our program, our team knew they were in distress. David responded to the scene and used Narcan from our emergency first aid supply, thankfully resulting in this individual regaining consciousness. We are confident that David's quick response more than likely saved this person’s life. 

I am so proud to lead this organization. What I find most remarkable is that these stories are not uncommon - I am often emailed, called, or texted with examples of how the CRJ staff go above and beyond to not only care for the people they serve, but the communities where they live and work.

Thank you for all you do.

Deb

CJI launches new website with JRI Partners

On Thursday, November 9, the Crime and Justice Institute (CJI) and the Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center, with support from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs’ Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), debuted the Justice Reinvestment Initiative (JRI) website.

The new website serves as the hub for JRI efforts across the United States and a key resource for agencies and organizations seeking to advance fair, efficient, and proven criminal justice strategies. In addition to information on participating states and their JRI outcomes, it offers an interactive state project map, a comprehensive list of JRI-driven policies implemented across states, and steps for launching a new JRI effort.

Our RRRC committee is planning a week of festivities to celebrate the holidays. Stay tuned for more information from the team, but here's what to expect:

• Monday December 11th: Holiday Décor and Ensemble Day

Show us your holiday decorations, ugly sweater, or holiday costume.

• Tuesday December 12th: Holiday Baking Day

Make your favorite holiday treat! Share with co-workers, residents, and friends - and take a picture of your hard work. We'll be showcasing your creations all day long.

• Wednesday December 13th: Reflection and Team Building Day

Host a staff meeting or team outing. Focus on team building while reflecting on your accomplishments of 2023!

• Thursday December 14th: Culture Day

We want to see and learn about our diversity throughout CRJ. Share your traditions that reflect your culture or nationality. You can send pictures, stories, or information.

• Friday December 15th: Virtual Holiday Celebration at 10:00am!

Join us on Teams at 10:00am for a recap of the week's events, some holiday trivia, and messages from the CRJ Executive Leadership team.

Send all of your photos to RRRC@crj.org. We will be sharing them throughout the day on our org-wide Teams Channel.