Restorative Jeff Co’s Post

As we head into the New Year, we are reflecting on what we accomplished in 2023 and looking ahead optimistically into 2024. We send a big thank you to everyone who supported the impact we are having on the communities we serve. If you have not made a year end gift to LCLC, you have one more day to donate here: https://lnkd.in/gE669Tyz If you have already donated, we hope you take a moment this weekend to reflect on the difference you have made -- the lives you have touched that will be better off because of you. The impact we've had is the result of all of us working together to make it happen. THANK YOU! Let's play the 2023 highlight reel (enjoy!): - Robin Steinberg, the national leader in community holistic defense, is supporting us with help from The Bail Project, one of our best-ever partners - Nearly completed the consenting process for our RCT -- 630 of the 660 consented with more coming in this week - Secured $3MM funding to sustain our successful roll out of Community Release with Support + expand into Maywood and Rolling Meadows - Illinois ended cash bail in September! And we are proving it's safer and successful! - Deepened our partnership with CLIHTF to connect our clients to housing - Awarded $5MM in city funding to house our clients, the largest investment in our clients' housing needs likely in the history of Chicago! - Raised $21MM in capital funding to construct our Residential Workforce Development Center! - Completed nine-month SWOT analysis and have been implementing solutions since - Unprecedented earned media coverage due to the great work our team is doing! The impact we're having is undeniable: - Community Holistic Defense -- ~340 youth served annually, 82.2% not catching new cases while in our care, 75% are being connected to critical social supports, 53% progressed in employment, 66% progressed in school, 46% no permanent felony records, 62% stay home instead of prison - Community Release with Support -- ~3,000 clients served annually, 98% returned to court, 64% cases dismissed, 100% received court reminders and transportation as needed, 57% linked to social services pending trial - Restorative Justice Community Courts -- we started the first in North Lawndale, two more have been added, 219+ emerging adults served, 84% charged with felony weapon possession, 86.9% have not caught new cases compared to 34.8% from a matched control group (conversely only 13.1% caught new cases in RJCC vs. 65.2% outside of RJCC) - Housing Justice -- We linked ~50 clients to housing with over 100 family members + another forty families in the queue for 2024. We go into 2024 with the unique expertise and value we have created in the field of criminal justice over the last fourteen years. We go into 2024 with a bright future, bold vision, and a great team of people dedicated to making our world better. Thank you and Happy New Year!

For my third #EJAFellowUpdate with Equal Justice America, I wanted to share a bit more about the work I have been doing in the housing context during my tenure at CLC. Data shows that unhealthy housing conditions trigger adverse health effects like asthma. D.C. has one of the highest rates of childhood asthma in the nation – almost doubling the national average in some areas of the District. As part of our healthy housing work, the Special Legal Projects team has been gearing up for a whole-building class action on behalf of the residents of a D.C. apartment complex. Aside from obvious Housing Code violations, as part of my work as a law clerk, I have been researching additional legal avenues we could take to help these families. One newly-developing area of the District’s landlord-tenant arena particularly stands out: the Consumer Protection Procedures Act (or the CPPA). The CPPA, in addition to protecting consumers of traditional goods and services, also protects tenants from unfair practices by landlords. For example, recently arguments have been made in federal court that rodents, plumbing issues, and mold – the very housing conditions that can make children and families sick – effectually violates the terms of a lease agreement. It has been interesting to think about the CPPA in this context and to see yet another example of the ways that legislation can be formed to reflect our communities and uphold our simplest tenets. In this case, as my pop might say, “It doesn’t matter who you are! If you break a promise, you have to pay the consequences!” I hope lawmakers will continue to have the courage to fight for such an equitable system. Thank you all for your continued support and, if you are so inclined, here is my EJA Fellows Fundraiser link once more: https://lnkd.in/g5252mZa.

This is what restorative justice looks like. More of this please. #HonoringMartingLutherKingJr

Restorative Justice (RJ) is the idea that if an action hurts, justice should heal. It follows that conversations with those who have been hurt and with those who have inflicted the harm must be central to the process and focus on accountability and healing on both sides. RJ aims to restore the relationship, whether interpersonal or societal, to where it was before harm happened. Is Restorative Justice something you practice? Let us know, and let's start a conversation in the comments! #RestorativeJustice #KingCounty #Community #JuvenileJustice

The Illinois Black Advocacy Initiative (IBAI) has released a critical report highlighting the disproportionate impact of the Family Regulation System on Black families in Illinois. The Report identifies key areas for action, including: -Increased legal representation for parents facing DCFS involvement. -Investment in basic needs to address socio economic factors that contribute to investigations. -Enhanced transparency and accountability within the system, to support families and hold DCFS accountable. -Reduced system reliance so Black communities have the power to define safety and well-being for their families on their own terms. **Download the full report at www.ilblackadvocay.org to learn more about IBAI's recommendations and how we can create a more equitable Family Regulation System in Illinois. #IBAIReport #EndFamilySeparation

Restorative justice is a transformative approach that prioritizes healing, accountability that repairs, and community restoration over punishment. By focusing on repairing harm, we create a justice system that serves everyone. Restorative justice provides a platform for those who have been harmed to have their voices heard and their needs addressed. It allows those who have caused harm to understand the impact of their actions and take meaningful steps toward making amends. Ultimately, it strengthens our communities by fostering understanding, empathy, and mutual respect. Let’s work together to shift towards a justice system that truly heals and restores. #RestorativeJustice #HealingCommunities #JusticeTransformation

Part 2 of the March KCT session was a deep dive into Kansas City's complex racial, economic, and public safety landscapes. We had enlightening panels on the structural barriers to economic equity, and the nuances of our crime and public safety landscape. Panelists explored what actionable strategies for reparations may look like, and building trust between law enforcement and the community. Let’s dive into the highlights: 📈 𝙀𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙘 𝘿𝙞𝙨𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙍𝙚𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙅𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙚: Gwendolyn Grant’s presentation of The State of Black Kansas City report set the stage for an insightful discussion on economic and racial disparities. The conversation continued with experts Steven Anthony and Stephenie K Smith, MSW, focusing on concrete strategies to bridge economic and racial divides. While envisioning what it would take to achieve equity, a major question arose regarding the role of private and public organizations in reparative justice. 🚓 𝙋𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙘 𝙎𝙖𝙛𝙚𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙏𝙧𝙪𝙨𝙩: What does it take for someone to feel safe in their community? Melesa Johnson, Esq. lead our final panel, consisting of Police Chief Stacey Graves, Chief Deputy Prosecutor Dion Sankar, and Rev Darren Faulkner, in a discussion about the intertwined issues of public safety and crime. While the question about safety is nuanced and takes more time to consider, the panelists emphasized community policing and trust-based philanthropy are cornerstones for fostering a stronger relationship between law enforcement, community investors and the communities they are pledged to serve. It’s one of the first priorities when promoting feelings of safety in communities that have experienced generations of economic disinvestment layered with discrimination. No trust = No safety! #KCTClass45 #TrustBasedPhilanthropy #ReparativeJustice

Why do some people choose to harm those they claim to love? At Halton Women’s Place, we believe the key to ending violence lies in education and awareness. We’re not just a shelter—we’re change-makers committed to preventing abuse before it starts. Through our Learn to Love program and other public education initiatives, we’re working to shift mindsets, empower communities, and create a future where everyone is safe and respected. But we can’t do it alone. We need the support of businesses, community leaders, and individuals to expand these vital programs and reach more people. By investing in education today, you’re helping to build a safer tomorrow. 🔗 Learn more about how you can support our Learn to Love program: https://lnkd.in/gyDqJ5jC Together, we can make a lasting impact and change the narrative around abuse. #EndViolence #SupportSurvivors #PublicEducation #LearnToLove #HaltonWomensPlace #MakeADifference #EmpowerCommunities #ChangeTheNarrative #PreventAbuse #SaferTomorrow

Substance Saturday's 🪄Transform your organization by transforming your approach to staff well-being! Discover why prioritizing self-care isn't just beneficial—it's essential for retaining dedicated advocates in the demanding field of social justice. Dive into actionable strategies that will keep your team motivated, healthy, and committed to the cause. Embrace a future where every staff member thrives. #LeadershipInAdvocacy #AdvocateWellbeing #SustainableImpact #AdvocateWellbeing #LeadershipMatters #SustainableAdvocacy https://wix.to/gCOnfjh

It's Restorative Justice Week! ⚖️ Here's a new circle prompt to use with your community. Proactive circles BUILD community; they allow us to express our feelings and truly hear one another, and they help people gain a shared sense of understanding and emotional connection. Comment below! #IIRP #RestorativePractices #ProactiveCircles #Listening #BuildingCommunity