This week we are thrilled to be hosting Rachel Pearl and Youth Representatives from the Restorative principles-based GREEN Corps Fresh Start programs in conjunction with the Clackamas County Juvenile Justice Department and other key partners. They are leveraging programs that combine youth empowerment with job skills in Green jobs and food production to reduce juvenile incarceration and recidivism successfully. Their approach not only saves thousands of dollars in the diversion of youth from sentencing and incarceration, but also gives them an opportunity to exemplify accountability and repayment of their offenses by putting their hands in the soil, literally. It's exciting to see the inclusion and connection of Green programs with Restorative Justice and I'm really excited to hear all about how the program got started, how it works, and how others can replicate it. Many agree that youth should not have a track record that tracks them endlessly and stigmatizes their chances to gain employment and establish successful lives that illuminate their own unique gift to the world. This is one big way to make that difference without losing the important values of accountability, restitution, and community safety.

A little bit more about Rachel Pearl:
Rachel Pearl is the Community Connections Coordinator for the Clackamas County Juvenile Department. Her current role is to develop, implement and coordinate a Restorative Community Service program for youth offenders. In her current role, Rachel is also the co- founder and Program Coordinator for GREEN Corps Fresh Start, an urban horticulture and small business training program for youth in the Juvenile Justice system. GREEN Corps allows youth an opportunity to pay restitution to victims while also developing skills in the areas of farming, food and customer service, bicycle repair and forestry while assisting in the business aspects of the program. GREEN Corps is a social enterprise model within a restorative framework with youth working three Farmer's Markets a week in addition to other business ventures. Rachel formerly developed Strength Based programming for youth transitioning back into the community in Portland, Oregon. Prior to this she coordinated a sexual assault and domestic violence prevention program for Incarcerated youth in California. She has over 15 years of experience working with youth offenders. Her experience includes program development and management, direct client services, group facilitation and case management.

For more information and a one-pager PDF description with images: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/clackamas/sites/default/files/green_corps_2012_volunteer_descriptions.pdf

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Mike Butler has thirty-one years of comprehensive policing experience ranging from beat officer to police chief with nationally recognized police departments.

Since 1993, Mike has been at the helm of the Longmont Police Department.

In 2008, Butler assumed responsibilities for the Longmont Fire Department as well.

During his tenure the Longmont Police Department was chosen as one of the Top 10 Community Policing Departments in the nation by the United States Department of Justice.

He has assisted in or taken a primary role in the development of a number of innovative management systems and programs.

Chief Butler is a big supporter of restorative justice and the work that the Longmont Community Justice Partnership (LCJP) is engaged in with Longmont schools and the larger community.

He believes this work has significantly reduced the number of repeat offenders and contributes to a sense of security in Longmont, CO.

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Hailed by dignitaries such as the Dalai Lama and Tariq Khamisa, Azim's murdered son and for whom the TKF Foundation was formed in honor of.

Thich Nhat Hanh, Azim Khamisa delivers his inspirational message to a world in desperate need of forgiveness, peace and hope.

Following the murder of his only son Tariq in 1995 through a senseless, gang-related incident, Azim chose the path of forgiveness and compassion rather than revenge, and this amazing choice led to the establishment of the Tariq Khamisa Foundation (TKF) and his subsequent forgiveness work which has reached millions through international speaking, (in 1996 - a crowd of 300,000), public and corporate workshops, video and audio recordings and four published books, including the award winning From Murder to Forgiveness and the Random House book The Secrets of the Bulletproof Spirit coauthored with Jillian Quinn.

Azim is going to share with us the historical perspective of Restorative Justice and offer a clear understanding of what it is. Given there are many views and opinions of what this hugely growing field entails, and how it works, we are delighted to speak with not only someone who has lived the processes first hand but who can truly help clarify the things that commonly cause people to question the efficacy of Restorative Justice, and to show how common concerns of accountability, safety, and respect for victims still plays a huge role in guiding the processes.

Related Links:

Ending the Cycle of Violence

The ACCLAIMED 6 part video series and curriculum ENDING THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE: From Murder to Forgiveness introduces Azim and Ples's teachings on Restorative Justice and Forgiveness to youth ages 11-15. To learn how to bring these much needed violence prevention resources to your schools and communities, go to: http://chariotvideos.com/educationalfilms/ending-the-cycle-of-violence/

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