Help us “Get Things Done” AmeriCorp position available!
 St. Croix Valley Restorative Justice Program and the Pierce County Partnership for Youth have been awared an AmeriCorp position. We are recruiting eligible candidates, the deadline to apply is June 10, 2011. Please share this announcement with anyone who might be interested!  Application: Member application Northwoods Coalition FINAL 2011-2012.
The SCVRJP position would promote the mission of the Pierce County Partnership for Youth and support programs at SCVRJP.
Members receive a living allowance of approximately $465 (gross) every two weeks over their term of service, along with medical healthcare insurance (premium paid by Marshfield Clinic), free service gear, free childcare (if qualified) and vacation time. Upon successful completion of the term of service, members receive a $5,500 educational award. Educational awards can be used for loan repayment, future schooling costs and special educational opportunities. Members have the option of serving up to two terms (3,400 hours) and earning $11,000 in educational awards. Members have up to seven years to utilize educational awards.
Marshfield Clinic AmeriCorps members are overseen by host site supervisors and provided with regular support and direction from the Marshfield Clinic AmeriCorps program manager and staff.
Members will have numerous opportunities for travel, conferences and trainings. Events for the 2011-2012 program years will include a member orientation, program kickoff, midterm training, end of year celebration and more. Host sites may provide additional training opportunities based on need and availability.
(800) 782-8581, Ext. 18403
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Violence Prevention Efforts, Restorative Justice and a new blogger.
Restorative Justice addresses issues of violence prevention, using evidence-based and public health models. In addition to using Restorative Justice Circles for communication/community building, decision-making and conflict resolution. My newest blogger connection is Ken Kimsey, at Fairnessworks. He added my blog to his ‘blogroll’ and I wanted to share a resource he recently posted:
A seven-step tutorial for people involved in relationship conflicts is available online, free of charge,  from the Conflict Resolution Information Source.  Intended for educators and instructors, the course was designed by the Division of Continuing Education and Professional Studies at the University of Colorado in Boulder.
Tragically, it is common for relationship conflicts to escalate to the point where there is a real danger of violence. Â Â In these circumstances, the first priority is to protect the parties from one another. Only then is it appropriate to work through the Stop Fighting tutorial . . .
The tutorial tells How to Stop Fighting through these seven steps:
- Step #1: Limit the Escalation Spiral (Quit digging the hole deeper.)
- Step #2: Overcoming the Hurt — Replacing Humiliation with Respect
- Step #3: Break Down Misunderstandings — Communicate Well
- Step #4: Fighting Fairly: Developing a System for Handling Disputes
- Step #5: Effective Negotiation
- Step #6: Deal Constructively with Irreconcilable Differences
- Step #7: Keep Your Eye on the Ball: Remember What’s Important
Honoring Crime Victims – Prevent the Harm.
Only 2 to 15 percent of crime victims access needed victim services,
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week calls our nation to take up these challenges—to reshape the future by facing our failures and building on the successes of the past. Although this challenge may seem overwhelming, every jurisdiction and every individual can do something to improve our response to victims of crime. We can:
3 such as crisis and mental health counseling, shelter, information, financial assistance, and advocacy within the criminal and juvenile justice systems. Victims’ rights vary significantly from state to state and between states and the federal government. Furthermore, many victims do not know they have legal rights. Some victims are still being denied notification, compensation, and access to courts, and too few jurisdictions have set up coordinated, consistent victim response systems.4 Also, the impact of the recent recession—both on donations to nonprofit victim services and on city, state, and county budgets—means that fewer victim assistance programs are available.
Victims’ rights without enforcement are meaningless. Every time a victim is denied rightful access to a courtroom, the opportunity to present a victim impact statement, or information about his or her rights, that failure affects us all. When a court fails to inform a murder victim’s family about a hearing where the accused is ultimately released, the system fails the victim and undermines respect for the court. When offenders are released from federal prisons on medical furloughs without notifying victims and witnesses,5 authorities endanger victims and sometimes foster more crime. Policymakers and citizens need to insist that victims’ rights be enforced.
For a number of complex reasons, millions of crimes go unreported every year. In 2009, victims reported 49 percent of violent crimes and 40 percent of property crimes to the police.6 Only about one in six cases of elder abuse, neglect, exploitation is ever reported to authorities,7 and teenagers are twice as likely as adults to be victimized but much more likely than adults not to report crimes against them.8 Recent immigrants, too, are more likely than other adults not to report crimes.9 These numbers reflect the millions of crime victims who have no contact with the criminal justice system and no means to exercise their rights. Finding ways to reduce these numbers, through outreach by trusted community members or other means, should be an urgent local, state, and national priority.
Although most of us do not hold public office, we all have the power to help victims of crime. Employers can help prevent workplace violence and actively protect stalking and domestic violence victims who work for them. They can give victims time off to attend court proceedings and receive needed services. Teachers, youth workers, clergy members, and health professionals can look for signs of abuse or sexual victimization in children and teenagers, and find ways to offer support. Parents and teachers can demand strong anti-bullying laws and policies, ensuring that young victims are supported and bullies receive the intervention they need. Also, we can all volunteer at victim service agencies and support them financially. Reshaping the Future, Honoring the Past,
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then, reflects the power of crime victims and their allies to change the course of history. By recalling past struggles and triumphs during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, we can face the future with hope. May we honor all victims by seeking the fullest possible justice for those harmed by crime.
(copied from http://ovc.ncjrs.gov/ncvrw2011/pdf/maximize-communications.pdf)
A full Circle experience. Ten years, the 10th Circle and a tender heart.
St. Croix Valley Restorative Justice Program is celebrating 10 years of Restorative Justice services. Founded in 2001, the agency mission to promote a culture of peace and belonging utilizing restorative justice programs and principles is strong.
A community need around suicide was identified with a Prevention Forum in April of 2010. SCVRJPresponded by hosting 3 Restorative Response Circles, providing survivors of suicide a place to take a healing step. A storytelling step. Restorative Justice talking circles provided each individual with uninterrupted sharing time. The Circle is structured to utilize relationship values like honesty, trust, respect. These values are developed by the individuals in the Circle. Links to Restorative Response and Talking Circles.Â
SCVRJP has developed a deep skill for Restorative Justice Circle process. Utilized in programs addressing crime, conflict, underage drinking, controlled substance use and teen driving, volunteer community members are skilled in the process of Circle. Using the process to provide people an avenue for healing around suicide was a natural evolution. Broadening the mission to bring peace and belonging to suicide survivors was a simple step.
Having the executive director (me) step away from the keeping of these Circles was, well, a lesson in letting go. I have been assured the process of Circle is “robust”. Words from Circle expert, author and the woman who literally wrote the book, Kay Pranis. Kay and I met for a coaching day last month. She helped me realize to expand the capacity of our agency, I would need to pass on some of the facilitation role.
The 10th Restorative Response Circle, was not facilitated by me. The Circle was kept (facilitated) by one of our founding board members. I was teased for treating this as a child I sending off to school for the first time. I offered my information, knowledge and tips for keeping.  This person was trained in Circle back in 2006, and held plenty of experiences both in life and in restorative justice circle. I coached anyway.Â
As the Circle was assembling, I was teased, for acting like a new Mom, leaving all sorts of details for the babysitter. I saw everyone into the room. The individuals seated in Circle as I closed the door were ready and prepared. I left and felt my heart was on the outside of my body, just for a second.Â
As people, we are capable of sharing in a manner that heals. Circles provide that avenue. Given the right elements, people hold compassionate space for each other. There is great reward and value being the person that helps others with the process. My role simply changed and my heart was tender for a moment. Then I realized how much I needed the time now available to me.
SCVRJP is celebrating 10 years, and needs your support in continuing our mission. More on a 10x10x10 campaign.
Please note that Restorative Justice Circles provide an informal or social support process. Formal supports like individual therapy, grief and group counseling are recommended to address the trauma of suicide. Both formal and informal supports are helpful to people grieving. Neither replaces the other.Â
If you are feeling desperate, alone or hopeless, please  call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), a free, 24-hour hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Your call will be routed to the nearest crisis center to you.Â
Preventing Child Abuse is everyone’s responsibility.
I wish I had ALL the answers. How to prevent child abuse is a problem I would like to solve. I spent nearly 4 years working at Pierce County Human Services and the last two I supervised both the juvenile justice and child protection units. Now I work for an agency that promotes peace & belonging. I know child abuse tears down both.Â
To survive the abuse, young people need to build walls. Walls to numb and block emotions, the walls that keep the pain out, also keep the love and support out. Surviving child abuse requires developing some unhealthy relationship habits. The ultimate goal, is keep kids safe. To protect them. To teach them new habits for healthy relationships. You can support local efforts, I am sharing details about an upcoming event, kicking off April at Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Mark your calendar, printable flyer here: brunch_notification_2011[1][1]!Â
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month! Friends of Foster Kids is collaborating with the Pierce County Child Abuse Prevention committee to provide the brunch activity for the month. Come join us and pick up blue ribbon accessories, eat great food and socialize with fantastic people from the community. Â
 We are asking for a free-will donation for the brunch. The proceeds from the brunch will go towards the Friends of Foster Kids and the “Special Fund†of Pierce County. Please come join us for this wonderful opportunity to support children in our community.Â
 Child Abuse Prevention Cookbooks will be available for sale at the bargain price of $10.
Join us for Brunch and Silent Auction
 WHEN:    Tuesday, April 12, 2011
WHERE: Zion Covenant Church  210 Beulah Street N Ellsworth, WI
TIME:Â Â Â Â Â 11:00-1:00pm
TOMA- Top Of Mind Awareness, promote your business and brand.
If you hear the term “Restorative Justice” I hope you think of me, or St. Croix Valley Restorative Justice.
I work very hard for TOMA. T-top, O-of, M-mind, A-awareness.
You never know what is going to stay in the mind of someone else. I go for touching people’s hearts. When I speak about what we do at St. Croix Valley Restorative Justice, I consider my audience. I try to relate to my audience, I have so much to select from.
All of us have made mistakes. All of us have been hurt. Restorative Justice is about repairing harm. Restorative Justice addresses the social and emotional aspects of crime and conflict.
For the last few years, I’ve been circulating in our community, Hudson Daybreak & Noon Rotary Clubs, Hudson Lions Club. This past summerI was given the opportunity to speak during the Methodist Church service in River Falls. I’ve had lunch with the River Falls Lions Club and Kiwanis.  The Hudson probation office, public defenders and St. Croix County Human Services and both counties drug courts have had me visit. The St. Croix Valley Bar Association hosted me and I talked for the Legal Professionalsas well. I did a lunch and learn for the Baldwin Area Medical Center. Chamber breakfast speaker and guest at church confirmation classes, women’s lunch groups, the list goes on. My goal TOMA. To remain at the top of the mind.
Where ever I meet people, I want them to recall my name, my agency and our mission. In case you haven’t seen me speak: We build a culture of peace and belonging, utilizing restorative justice principles and programs in our community!
I went to the River Falls Chamber, CHOSCARS, dressed as Lady Gaga, at last year’s MTV awards, where she wore a dress of meat.
I had a blast making my costume. I designed the fake meat, using glow in the dark fabric paint. I consulted the photos on-line more than once. I even made my own fake award, since Lady Gaga won an award. I had a “meat purse”.
Some people didn’t know who I was dressed as, however, I got some TOMA out of it. Five days after the Chamber event, I was at Rotary. A collegue who was also at both events . . . she shared watching an awards show that mentioned Lady Gaga’s meat dress. She knew about it from seeing my dress. Now that’s TOMA!
Restorative Justice brings the heart and soul to violations of the law.
Yesterday at the River Falls Rotary Club, we were treated to a presention about South Korea. This included an explanation about the flag. Our present explained the four elements: heaven, water, fire, earth. It was so interesting to me, that where “air” usually is stated, “heaven” was used. I immediately thought of blogging about this piece of the presenation that heaven is an element with water, fire and earth. Air is breath, without breath we are dead. When dead, the soul ceases in the physical world. Is the non-physical world “heaven”?  
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Wikipedia, gives different, but very interesting explanations. Check out the wiki-link. I love anything with 4, because of the Circle, and the equal division of a Circle is 4.
I believe breath is connected to soul. As a Circle keeper, focusing on calm breath at the beginning of a Circle, enhances the sacredness or should I say deepens the emotional climate. I rang my tingsha’s recently, after not using them for awhile. (all posts where I mention tingsha’s). The calming and centering effect was very obvious. I can be nervous starting out a Circle, worried if people will engage, or wanting to make a good impression on a person involved (like a Judge). I always know, when I become calm, the Circle is calmer. That is a concept I also teach, when keeping, the influence that one person can have on a Circle.
I got to be a community member in a Circle, with a new Circlekeeper. I saw and experienced her committment to the process, the committment of her person to the power of the Circle. It is amazing thing to witness, young people court ordered to attend, transform. The session was a CSI Circle, (CSI stands for Controlled Substance Intervention) very similiar to the Underage Consumption Panels I developed (combining Restorative Justice Circle process and evidence-based curriculm). Youth who get in trouble from smoking weed or having paraphernalia have shown up to these classes, really looking the part. I don’t like to judge people or label, however, they do come in looking like well, sorry “stoners”. People are not always what they appear like on the outside. I’m sorry I used the word “stoners” to describe the youth, because what I witnessed in that Circle was young people who made choices to use and were now being open in listening and sharing.
Group facilitation that comes from the heart and soul can really help people. The Circle group of “stoners” did some really amazing things. I observed two “hoods up” as we started. The use of a hood, and slumping body posture only lasts so long in a Circle. I noticed early on that one hood had already been removed. It was much longer and I saw the other one was removed. This group opened up to all of us. We heard how hard it was to have your Mom arrive at 3 am, seeing you handcuffed and sitting on a curb. Having to look her in the eye and see how hurt she was. She/Mom only thought it was a curfew ticket and found out it was posession and paraphernalia.  Another young person explained how using effects his relationships, if using his date is just a hook-up and that’s it. A relationship can evolve if he doesn’t use when he has a first date.
We talked about mixing of drugs and witnessing an overdose. The stories and experiences would alarm you. They did me. The truth is not always pretty. It was obvious that using causes pain. Using has social, emotional, physical and spiritual consequences. It hurts your spirit to be labeled as a “pot-head”. The Circle talked about that label, and how long it takes to be cleaned up before it leaves you. They all expessed “take aways” from the Circle. They all identified a change that they would make from experiencing the Circle. Will they all stay 100% clean and sober from here on out? Probably not. However, compare what I described to you to the simple act of paying for their tickets.
Restorative Justice brings the heart and soul to violations of the law.
If you would like to be a community member or restorative justice volunteer, visit www.scvrjp.org for more information.
Help from a neighbor, small relationship support can make a big difference.
I often explain that the culture in a community can be changed. Restorative Justice works on culture by improving the relationships between people. Even strangers can help you feel better about your community. I usually give the example of someone holding the door for you at the post office. However, I bumped into someone recently and all though I stopped, turned and said “excuse me”, she kept on walking. I was miffed, I went back to the office and had to tell my coworker all about it (not very “zen” of me, I know).
I experienced the opposite yesterday.Â
I was at the gas station, I noticed two people, a man and a woman I know talking near his parked vehicle. As she was walking back to her car, which was at the pump near my car, I called out to say hello. She came over and we started to chat. I shared how I serve on the board of her late husbands former employer. I mentioned that I think of her, I know he dedicated a number of years and sweat equity to that organization. She asked how things were going and as I related a few brief example, it occured to me how she had been involved via her spouse for decades. I made a comment to that regard. She laughed as well, and we both knew what role she had.
I’ve know this person in our community.  She’s volunteered and taken training at my agency. She mentioned wanting to help more in the future. She shared how she experienced Christmas time, how she missed her late husband. It was a nice exchange of a few intersections of our life. I put my hands in my pockets, and no car keys. I expressed my concern. Sure enough, I locked them in my car.
I was offered help, the use of her phone. She gave me a ride to work.
Relationships are strengthened by going out of your way for someone. This community member, really made feel supported, cared for and relevant. We chatted all the way to the office, it’s not that far. She even extended herself further, explaining she was free all morning if I needed more help.
That was a gift of relationship support. Her kindness reinforced the importance of relationships with all kinds of people in your community. If you have a chance to help someone, take the opportunity, you’ll be building community.
Non-profit St. Nick, a poem for board members!
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the Restorative Justice Center,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mentor.
The grant applications were hung by the wall, in hopes that foundations would fund them ALL.
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The board members were all snug in their chairs, while visions of agendas and reports,
that would soon be theirs.
Director and staff and had just settled in, for a meeting of minds, that would make everyone grin!
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When outside the door, there arose such a clatter, they sprang from the meeting to see what was the matter.
Right out the door, they flew like a tribe, needing to see what had just arrived.
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The moon was round like the Circles they keep, the shiny disk laminated the objects so neat.
What did their eyes so generously greet? 8 little reindeer with the tiniest of feet.
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With a special driver, so generous and thick, they knew in a moment . . . Nonprofit St. Nick!
More swift that the bills, the reindeer they came, Nonprofit St. Nick, he called them by name!
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Now “Budgetâ€, Now “Bylawsâ€, Now “Agenda†and “Robert†(as in rules of!)
On “Rankingsâ€, On “Minutes†on “Reports†and “Evaluation Ofâ€
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To the front of the table, to the board room, dash away, dash away, right past the broom.
So to the meeting they flew, with a sleigh full of gifts and of course the leader, Nonprofit St. Nick.
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He was dressed all in red from head to foot, a volunteer application in his hand he had took.
A bundle of files he had on his back, cases and files, were all in his pack.
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His eyes-they twinkled, his dimples how merry, His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
He shared his perspective, “this is so much work it’s scary!â€
“My what you’ve done with one little year, so do tell me, what did you do, and hold most dear?â€
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“The budget†piped Steve, “we did our best, being the treasurer here is quite a testâ€.
“Chair a meeting†said Bill, “if you think that is tough, those rankings can be really roughâ€!
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“donations†from Cindy “events†from Nick, “wait†said Julie, “my pen is a stick!â€
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Nonprofit St. Nick drew his mouth like bow, the beard on his chin was white as snow. He had a broad face and a little round belly, he laughed and it shook like a bowl full of jelly. Ahhh, this board and non-profit just needs to know. “The path is not easy when you have to grow.â€
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“You help people change, you do really good work, once in awhile you’ll get stuck in the dirt.†“Fear not I say, you’ve got blessings from aboveâ€, and with that Non-profit St. Nick, gave each one a hug!
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He sprang to his sleight, gave his team whistle, and away they flew, like the down of a thistle.
The board heard him exclaim, as he flew out of sight: “keep that mission close, and the funding tightâ€
“Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!â€
Cancer, conflict and hair products.
Orignally posted at www.circlespace.wordpress.com.
My sister-in-law has leukemia. She was diagnosed just 3 months ago. It has shaken our family. I am so proud of how my brother, Scott and his wife, Megan have handled this. I went out and stayed a month. It changed me in ways that I just don’t even know yet. Beyond giving their family support, I learned more about myself. Appreciation for health and life is always good, unfortunately that renewed appreciation comes at the expense of a diagnosis of Cancer.
As life would have it, just 3 weeks before the diagnosis my brother and his wife, daughter 7, sons 4 & 1 all met at the farm in South Dakota. My brother also has older children, all 3 came to the farm, my daughter also joined us. In the hulla-balou that is large families we had a day where grandma and my daughter had hair appointments. Megan stopped in to get her eyebrows waxed at the beauty salon. I was absorbed in the beauty and gossip magazines, but I did notice a few things.
When Megan came to the salon, she had been at the pool with her family. She was slighty windblown and looked tired. I remember thinking how pretty she was and that my brother was fortunate, because she really is a sweet person. When she left she climbed into my brothers pride and joy, his big truck. Such a petite woman for the big truck, but I remember thinking how Megan is only small in stature. I thought she looked beautiful as I watched her drive away.
Now her beauty is different. She has big brown eyes that peek out from her cute hats. She is frequently wearing her UGG boots and they cause a little shuffle noise when she walks. She’s still generous in nature.  She’s given me hair products, makeup and space in her home to help take care of her and the kids.
The title of this blog includes hair products. When I use my gifts from Megan, a few slightly used products of ”root blast” or “super shine”, it goes much deeper.  I think about her and imagine how life that was “just going along”. She dismissed symptoms of night sweats, mouth sores, fatigue, the terrible headaches. There was no dismissing the diagnosis on August 25, 2010. There was no dismissing the admission to the hospital. No dismissing the chemotherapy that started 48 hours later.
The blog title includes conflict. Conflict is a part of relationships. How we respond to conflict is a skill we can develop. Some people develop the skill at being “good” at conflict. Fighting is all they know. Some people can develop skills that they allow conflict and respond by making things better than worse. Conflict comes from within and we have to deal with how we see the world and experience frustrations and anger with others. Conflict comes from outside and when people address us negatively or values of “mine” don’t match “yours”.
I’ve worked through some conflict recently because I can see from a life that was “just going along” how precious we all really are. I can see that being angry is a waste of time. I use some hair products from someone without hair and it makes me humble. Being humble resolves conflict. Being humble is not backing down, being humble is remembering the bigger picture in life and honoring what is really important.
 I thought sharing this might offer you a perspective as well.
