The Vincentian Family has joined together to present a Restorative Justice Symposium on September 3, 2016 from 8:30 am – 4:00 pm at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, 350 High Street, in Columbus, Ohio. The purpose of this symposium is to introduce both Catholics and non-Catholics to the world of restorative justice and practices.

“This symposium creates a unique educational opportunity for conference participants to learn more about restorative justice in the criminal justice system, and how to introduce restorative conflict resolution into communities before a crime is committed,” said Sister Margaret Louise Brown, DC, director, Office of Social Justice and Environmental Advocacy for the Daughters of Charity, Province of the West, and coordinator of the symposium. “Participants will leave with a clear understanding of what the term ‘restorative justice’ means and why it is a much-needed movement throughout our society.”

The daylong symposium begins with the keynote presentation at 8:30 am regarding restorative practices within the criminal justice system. Additional sessions include: Restorative Justice 101, Restorative Practices: Constructive Methods of Dealing with Conflict in Communities and Schools, The Criminal Justice System:  What can happen when “Restoration” is the goal? and I’m intrigued. Where do I go from here? (For descriptions of these sessions, click the image below).

The Honorable Janine Geske, law professor at Marquette University and former Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, is slated to present the keynote at the symposium. Breakout session speakers include: Paul Graham, National Coordinator, Vincentian Re-entry Organizing Project; Lydia Cocom, Programs Director, Catholic Mobilizing Network; Mary Hallinan, Restorative Justice Advocate; Keysha Myers, Peace Justice & Equality Co-Chair, Summit County Juvenile Court;  Jennifer Will-Thapa, Outreach Coordinator, Community Conferencing Center; Caren Leaf, Leaf Consulting, LLC, a pioneer in the field of Restorative Justice and an expert in Youth Corrections, among other experts in the restorative justice field.

To register for the Restorative Justice Symposium on September 3, go to the St. Vincent de Paul National Assembly registration website at https://www.regonline.com/svdpColumbus2016 and choose the Restorative Justice Track on Saturday. Cost to attend the symposium is $175 per person and includes conference registration, breakfast, lunch and snacks.

For more information, contact Sister Margaret Louise Brown at 650 949-8892 or srmlbrown@doc1633.org.

For the full press release with session descriptions, click the image below.