The Restorative Justice Project Maine is pleased to announce the launch of a Community Justice Hub in Lincoln County. Community Justice Hubs are the next chapter in furthering restorative ways of being with local citizens, promoting long-term cultural practices to build safe communities where each person knows that they matter. Funded by a four-year grant from the Federal Bureau of Justice Assistance and the Byrne Center for Justice Innovation in rural areas, the Lincoln County Community Justice Hub will be housed in a new office in the Central Lincoln County YMCA and managed full-time by Drew Himmelstein, RJP’s new Lincoln Community Justice and Harm Repair Manager.

Founded in Belfast in 2005, the mission of the Restorative Justice Project Maine is to promote justice that is community-based, repairs harm, and creates safety and well-being for all. RJP Maine, in partnership with local volunteers, has offered facilitation of harm repair opportunities between juveniles and those they have harmed in Lincoln County since 2013. With the support of volunteer mentors, 94 percent of juveniles complete the agreements they have made with those they have harmed.

The Community Justice Hub is the next step in this work. Starting in the spring, members of the public will be invited to participate in listening circles that will help determine the needs of the community and the future areas of focus for the Community Justice Hub. RJP will then be assembling a diverse steering team to guide the Community Justice Hub, with the hope that those who have experienced crime, those who have experienced the criminal legal system and those who have participated in restorative justice processes will consider joining. Working with our data analysis partner, at the Cutler Institute within the Muskie School for Public Service, the Steering Team will review the best available data, both qualitative and quantitative, on safety and belonging and will generate and enact strategies to promote safety and belonging in local, measurable ways.

According to Lincoln County resident and RJP Maine Board member, Dennis Anderson: “This is a cause for celebration! I couldn’t be happier for my Lincoln County friends and neighbors and, in particular, for those restorative justice volunteers who have worked so hard to finally see this come to fruition. The establishment of a full-time restorative justice practitioner and educator in a high profile, accessible, welcoming space, working with schools, social service agencies, law enforcement and other social justice advocates will have life altering impacts in our community. With this critical, highly anticipated step, restorative rather than punitive responses to harmful actions and damaged relationships will become more widely understood, practiced and eventually lead to rejuvenated and more durable relationships.”

For more information, or to receive an invitation to a listening circle, please contact Drew Himmelstein at drew@rjpmidcoast.org or (207) 505-2598. To learn more about Drew and the Restorative Justice Project, please visit www.rjpmidcoast.org.