Barre Community Justice Center

05/28/2026

We’re Hiring at the Barre Community Justice Center

Meaningful Part-Time Work Supporting Our Community

The Barre Community Justice Center is hiring for two part-time positions:

Reentry Administrative Assistant
Support our transitional housing and reentry programs through administrative coordination, organization, participant support, apartment preparation, scheduling, and program logistics.

Restorative Programs Coordinator
Help coordinate restorative justice and community accountability prograrms, including restorative panels, Safe Driving classes, participant communication, and restorative dialogue processes.

We are looking for people who are:
• organized and dependable
• compassionate and professional
• strong communicators
• comfortable working with a wide range of people
• committed to community-centered work

Experience in administration, human services, restorative justice, education, counseling, social services, criminal justice, or related fields is helpful.

Flexible part-time schedules. Competitive pay based on experience. Some late afternoon/early evening availability required for the Restorative Programs Coordinator role.

To learn more or apply, contact Jeannie at [email protected]

04/24/2026

We’re deeply grateful for the many people who make our reentry and reparative work possible—including our COSA (Circles of Support and Accountability) volunteers, restorative justice panel volunteers, and our dedicated board.

Our COSA and restorative justice panel volunteers show up with patience, compassion, and a commitment to accountability, helping create space for meaningful change, repair, and safer communities. Their presence and engagement make a real difference in people’s lives and in the strength of our community.

We’re also thankful for our board members, whose leadership, policy guidance, and stewardship support and shape all of our programs, including COSA, restorative justice panels, and our reentry housing program.

We thank them all for the time, care, and integrity they bring!

2025-2026 Volunteers:
Martina Anderson (Board of Directors and COSA)
Steve August (COSA)
Neville Beryl (Restorative Panel)
Christie Binzen (COSA)
Betsy Brigham (Restorative Panel)
Paul Bourassa (COSA)
Omar Calhum-Flowers (Board of Directors)
Valerie Dona (COSA)
Stephen Finner (COSA)
Tim Flynn (COSA)
Garret Grant (Chair, Board of Directors)
Amy Greulich (COSA)
David Hartnett (Restorative Panel)
Mary Hayden (Restorative Panel)
Rachel Hickory (COSA)
Jackie Johnson (COSA)
Alan Kessler (Restorative Panel)
Ben Maniscalco (COSA)
Joe Mueller (COSA)
Michael Nellany (COSA)
Cherie Nolan (COSA)
Cheryl Reed (COSA and Restorative Panel)
Ann Regan (COSA)
Rosemary Rosa (Board of Directors)
Sarah Squier (COSA)
Aro Veno (COSA)
Becky Wigg (Restorative Panel)

01/23/2026

Want to make your community safer while supporting people returning from incarceration? Join a Circle of Support & Accountability (COSA).

Trained COSA volunteers serve on small teams that meet weekly with one resident returning from incarceration. COSA volunteers combine clear expectations with kindness and careful listening. Being heard reduces defensiveness, makes accountability possible, and helps people reflect on their choices in real time. This is how thinking and behavior begin to change within a structured, supervised system.

This coordinated approach strengthens public safety by combining accountability, housing stability, and community connection, reducing repeat harm and improving outcomes for the entire community.

Training and ongoing support are provided, and no prior experience is required.

Information Sessions on February 12 or February 19, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Learn more and join us email Kathleen at [email protected]

11/03/2025

Free Film Screening & Panel: "Coming Home" Explores Reentry, Restorative Justice, and Community Support
Barre, VT – The Barre Community Justice Center (BCJC) and the Aldrich Library invite the public to a free screening of Coming Home, a powerful documentary by filmmaker Bess O’Brien, followed by a panel discussion featuring voices from Vermont’s restorative justice and reentry community.

📅 Wednesday, November 12
🕠 5:30–7:30 PM
📍 Aldrich Library, 6 Washington St., Barre, VT
🎟 Free Admission

Coming Home follows five Vermonters rebuilding their lives after incarceration with the help of Circles of Support and Accountability (COSA) — a restorative justice program that reduces recidivism and helps former inmates safely reintegrate into their communities. COSA teams consist of trained community volunteers who meet weekly with individuals returning from prison to offer support, accountability, and connection.

The panel following the screening will include COSA participants, volunteers, BCJC staff, and Department of Corrections representatives, offering insight into the impact of COSA and how Vermonters are working together to build safer communities.

BCJC’s COSA program is part of its broader reentry initiative in Washington County, including a 17-bed transitional housing program that provides stable housing and comprehensive support services for individuals at high risk of reoffending. COSA is fully integrated into this reentry model, helping participants build healthier habits, take responsibility for past harm, and avoid future offenses.

This event offers a unique opportunity to learn how community-driven efforts are changing lives — and how you can get involved.

Together, we can build safer, stronger communities — one Circle at a time.

05/01/2025

Volunteer Appreciation
The Barre Community Justice Center is proud to recognize the invaluable contributions of its dedicated volunteers who are a central and vital part of community safety and restorative justice programs at the BCJC:

Board of Directors: Guides and supports BCJC policy directions and financial well-being.

Reparative Panels respond to crime by bringing together lower-level criminal offenders, victims, and community members in a non-adversarial process to encourage offender accountability and meet the needs of victims to repair the harms resulting from crime.

Circles of Support and Accountability: Support safe community re-entry for those returning from incarceration through mentoring, support, and transitional housing.

2024-2025 Volunteers:

Martina Anderson (Board of Directors and COSA)

Christie Binzen (COSA)

Paul Bourassa (COSA)

Omar Calhum-Flowers (Board of Directors and COSA)

Hilary Denton (Secretary, Board of Directors)

Garret Grant (Vice Chair, Board of Directors)

Mary Hayden (RJ Panel)

Rachel Hickory (COSA)

Stephen Finner (COSA)

Tim Flynn (COSA)

Jackie Johnson (COSA)

Doreen Phillips (COSA)

Cheryl Reed (COSA and RJ Panel)

Ann Regan (COSA)

Diane Sherman (Treasurer, Board of Directors)

Sarah Squier (COSA)

Stephanie Wawrzyniak (COSA)

Becky Wigg (RJ Panel)

Heidi White (Chair, Board of Directors and RJ Panel)

01/31/2025

Hello, Neighbors!

We are currently seeking compassionate and committed volunteers from Washington County to support two impactful programs: The COSA Reentry Program and the Restorative Justice Panel Program.

COSA volunteers assist individuals returning to the community after incarceration, helping them successfully reintegrate into the community.

The Restorative Justice Panel is made up of community volunteers who meet with individuals who have committed low-level crimes and their victims. These panels provide victims with support and offer offenders the opportunity to take responsibility for their actions and repair the harm caused.

Both programs rely on community involvement, and volunteers receive free training.

If you're interested in learning how you can help make a difference, join us for one of our upcoming Information Sessions at the BCJC (30 Keith Avenue, Suite 1, Barre, VT):

Wednesday, February 5, 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, February 11, 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

For more details or to RSVP, contact Kathleen Moore at [email protected] or 802-272-7478.

Together, we can help build a safer, more supportive community!

Creating understanding and resolution together

11/28/2024

Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃

Need extra support over the holidays? Call The Spark, Violence Prevention Warmline at 1-802-613-0375.

09/28/2024

The Barre Community Justice Center is actively seeking volunteers to participate in Circles of Support and Accountability (COSA) program to provide crucial support for individuals transitioning back into the community after incarceration.

Due to the high demand that surpasses our current volunteer capacity, we are seeking four new volunteers for COSAs starting in mid-November. The majority of participants in this program are male and we are seeking both male and female volunteers.

COSA is a restorative program tailored for those seeking positive change upon their return from incarceration. COSAs have a proven record of reducing recidivism, contributing to community safety, and preventing re-incarceration.

COSA participants engage in a process of building positive, pro-social relationships, evaluating their thinking and choices, and taking steps towards a self-managed and successful life within the community.

COSA teams are made up of two to three volunteers, a Core Member (the person returning from incarceration), and a Reentry Coordinator (staff). The team meets weekly for an hour to support the Core Member during that crucial first year of re-entry.

Learn more by viewing "Coming Home," the Bess O'Brien film documenting COSA programs in Vermont: https://vimeo.com/268889999 (password: cosa) and/or by attending an information session:

Tuesday, October 8 from 3:30 to 4:30 pm
Wednesday, October 16, from 4:30 to 5:30 pm.

Both sessions are identical, so choose the one that fits your schedule.

RSVP to [email protected]. If you cannot attend, please call 802-272-7478 to learn how you can join a COSA team.

"It gives you an opportunity to be a part of the solution and the change you want to see."
– Current COSA Volunteer

For additional information about the Barre Community Justice Center: https://www.barrecjc.org.

04/22/2024

National Volunteer Appreciation Week: April 21-27:

THE BARRE COMMUNITY JUSTICE CENTER IS PROUD TO RECOGNIZE THE INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS OF ITS DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS WHO ARE A CENTRAL AND VITAL PART OF COMMUNITY SAFETY AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PROGRAMS AT THE BCJC:
Board of Directors: Guides and supports BCJC policy directions and financial well-being.

Reparative Panels: Responds to crime by bringing together lower-level criminal offenders, the victim, and community members in a non-adversarial process to encourage offender accountability and meet the needs of the victims to repair the harms resulting from crime.

Circles of Support and Accountability: Supports safe community re-entry for those returning from incarceration through mentoring, support, and transitional housing.

2023-2024 Volunteers:

Martina Anderson

Omar Calhum-Flowers

Hilary Denton

Amy Donald

Garrett Grant

Mary Hayden

Rachel Hickory

Lisa Luciano

Doreen Phillips

Ann Regan

Cheryl Reed

Diane Sherman

Stephanie Wawrzyniak

Heidi White

Becky Wigg

Peter Young

Photo credit: Nathan Dumaio via Unsplash

03/01/2024

The Barre Community Justice Center is actively seeking volunteers to participate in our Circle of Support and Accountability (COSA) program, which provides crucial support for individuals transitioning back into the community after incarceration.
COSA is a restorative program tailored for individuals seeking positive change upon their return from incarceration. Participants engage in a process of understanding the harm caused, evaluating their thinking and choices, and taking steps towards a self-managed and successful life within the community.

We are hosting informational sessions for potential COSA volunteers on Monday, March 11, 3:30 to 4:30 and Monday, March 18, from 5:30 to 6:30 pm. Both sessions are identical, so choose the one that fits your schedule. RSVP by emailing [email protected]. If you cannot attend a session, please call 802-272-7478 to learn how you can join a COSA team.

The COSA program has a proven record of reducing recidivism, contributing to community safety, and preventing re-incarceration. COSA teams, comprising volunteers, a Core Member (offender), and a Reentry Coordinator (staff), convene weekly for an hour to support the Core Member during their crucial first year of re-entry.
We currently have a pressing need for new volunteers due to the high demand that surpasses our current volunteer capacity. Training will be provided for interested volunteers. The majority of participants in this program are male and we are seeking both male and female volunteers.

“It gives you an opportunity to be a part of the solution and the change you want to see.”
– Current COSA Volunteer

For additional information about the Barre Community Justice Center: https://www.barrecjc.org/.

To learn more: Dive into the world of Circles of Support and Accountability (COSAs) by immersing yourself in the documentary "Coming Home" by Bess O'Brien. This compelling film takes you on a journey through Vermont's COSA programs, offering a firsthand look at the transformative impact these initiatives can have. Experience the power of community and rehabilitation as you witness a COSA in action.

You can access this enlightening documentary for free at https://vimeo.com/268889999 (password: cosa).