The Community Restorative Justice Center, Inc.

01/29/2026

The Community Restorative Justice Center (CRJC), located in St. Johnsbury, is seeking volunteers to serve on Circles of Support and Accountability, also known as COSA. Our Reentry Program, through COSA, works with individuals who have significant ties to Caledonia and southern Essex communities; who have committed serious offenses; and who are being released from incarceration.

Participants, called core members, take part in a weekly meeting with a COSA group of trained community members. COSA supports core members to cultivate safe and healthy decision-making, take accountability for past and present behaviors and make amends when possible, offer support for recovery and healthy emotional growth, and reconnect with their community. It has been shown that individuals who take part in a COSA are statistically less likely to reoffend. COSA circles empower core members to establish interdependent relationships in a supportive environment to reduce the risk of re-offense and increase safety for victims and community members.

To become a COSA volunteer, you may apply through the CRJC’s Reentry Coordinator who can walk you through the steps of application and training. Once trained, volunteers may join a COSA team once referrals are received. COSA meets once a week for an hour for up to a year. In addition to the weekly meetings, volunteers may choose to take part in informal events or activities in the community with the core member. All volunteers receive ongoing support and training from the Reentry Coordinator. Volunteers from all walks of life are encouraged to apply. BIPOC, individuals with disabilities, LBGTQ+ applicants, individuals with lived experience, and people from other underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply. All applicants must be vetted and approved by the Dept. of Corrections and the Justice Center.

If you would like to learn more or apply to be a volunteer, please contact Susan Russell at The Community Restorative Justice Center, Inc. Phone: 802-745-1363 or by email to: [email protected]

10/25/2025

3Squares update - latest information from Economic Services as of 10/24/25

As a community partner with Economic Services, we received this email on Friday, October 24, 2025:

Economic Services Division
Food & Nutrition Update

Dear Partners,

As of October 10, the USDA has informed states that there are insufficient funds to pay SNAP (3SquaresVT) benefits as the federal shutdown continues. States have been directed to delay the issuance of benefits until further notice.

• October 1st benefits were issued as usual; clients still have access to those funds.
• Benefits for November 1st: On hold pending additional federal guidance.

In addition, USDA has informed DCF that it is possible that EBT retailers may not be able to process EBT cards in November, even for clients who have funds on their cards. We want to ensure partners are aware of this potential issue so communities can prepare to support affected households. If this happens, only cash benefits like Reach Up and 3Squares Cash-out will be available to be withdrawn at ATMs. ATM locations can be found here: https://dcf.vermont.gov/benefits/ebt

The Governor and key legislative members will be meeting early next week to finalize a contingency plan to help ensure Vermonters can access food during this period. We will provide updates as soon as additional information or guidance becomes available. Please also review the 2 page fact sheet that summarizes the federal guidance, titled ‘3SquaresVT Benefits are delayed for November’ posted on our website: https://dcf.vermont.gov/esd/partners/3squaresvt-partners.

Thank you for helping us share accurate information and for your continued partnership in supporting Vermonters during this uncertain time.

Sincerely,
Economic Services Division

10/09/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/177ikHkJ1u/

October is Emotional Wellness Month — a time to reflect on the power of emotional awareness, balance, and healing.

At the Prison Mindfulness Institute, we know that emotional wellness is not about avoiding complicated feelings — it’s about meeting them with awareness, compassion, and courage. Mindfulness allows us to understand our emotions without being controlled by them, to respond rather than react, and to create space for growth and peace, even in the most challenging environments.

Every day, incarcerated people and volunteers in our programs practice these skills — transforming pain into understanding, and isolation into connection.

Emotional Wellness = Awareness + Regulation + Compassion.
Let’s take this month to honor the possibility of healing from within.

09/10/2025

This month is National Recovery Month. To everyone out there working their Recovery - we see you, we care about you, we support! Keep going!

03/21/2025

Please share this post and vote for Coins for the Community. The Community Restorative Justice Center is hoping that you will vote for us in the newest round of Coins for the Community. We would be using the rounded up funds to stock our Community Fridge and provide food or basic necessities for those in need.

You can vote here: https://www.whitesmarket.com/coins-for-community-poll/

Click on the link and vote for up to 12 valuable community organizations. Please consider a vote for us.
Then, share the post to encourage others to vote for their favorites as well. Thank you for your ongoing support for restorative justice.

Welcome to the official website of The White Market in St. Johnsbury and Lyndonville, Vermont! See our weekly ad, browse delicious recipes, or check out our many programs.

12/19/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18CJo6Uxmi/

11/08/2024

On Thursday, November 7, 2024, the CRJC hosted Dr. Peter Jackson from the Center on Rural Addiction. His engaging presentation about Destigmatizing Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) was both compelling and thought provoking. This was the second cohort of CRJC volunteers, staff, and others to attend the training.

We commend our volunteers for taking time to learn more about this topic so that we can better engage with those who are experiencing OUD and we thank them for their compassionate interactions with those who participate in our services.

Here is what folks had to say:

"I really appreciated the training. It helped me face some bias and some feelings and where they come from. It helped me re-engage the Motivational Interviewing model that I learned at the last conference at Lake Morey Inn. I think this work is important because this is difficult work for all."

"Helpful to be reminded of how powerful stigma is as a deterrent to treatment"

"We have struggled with opioid related cases on my panel from a lack of specific knowledge about the disorder. I also found value at the personal and broader community levels and I hope to let others know some of what I learned when the subject comes up."

09/03/2024

September is National Recovery Month. Our friends at the Kingdom Recovery Center in St. Johnsbury are having a raffle to benefit the services and programs at the center. For more information, contact the KRC at 802-751-8520. Below is a list of the prizes included in the raffle. Looks like some good prizes.

08/26/2024

Please feel free to share.

06/24/2024

The Community Restorative Justice Center (CRJC), located in St. Johnsbury, is seeking volunteers to serve on Circles of Support and Accountability, also known as COSA. Our Reentry Program, through COSA, works with individuals who have significant ties to Caledonia and southern Essex communities; who have committed serious offenses; and who are being released from incarceration.

Participants, called core members, take part in a weekly meeting with a COSA group of trained community members. COSA supports core members to cultivate safe and healthy decision-making, increase accountability for past and present behaviors, and reconnect with their community. It has been shown that individuals who take part in a COSA are statistically less likely to reoffend. COSA circles empower core members to establish interdependent relationships in a supportive environment to reduce the risk of re-offense and increase safety for victims and community members. At the same time, COSA circles assist the core members to repair harm, whenever possible, in a way that is productive, safe, and meaningful.

To become a COSA volunteer, applicants must:

• Undergo a background check from the Dept. of Corrections and the Agency of Human Services.
• Complete PREA training and a 2-hour Volunteer Orientation with the Dept. of Corrections, offered online.
• Complete a 6-hour COSA training, also offered online.

Once trained, volunteers may join a COSA team once referrals are received. COSA meets once a week for an hour for up to a year, sometimes longer. Volunteers may take part in informal events or activities in the community with the core member. All volunteers receive ongoing support and training from the Reentry Coordinator. Volunteers from all walks of life are encouraged to apply. The CRJC is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. BIPOC, individuals with disabilities, LBGTQ+ applicants, formerly incarcerated individual who are no longer on supervision, and people from other underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply. All applicants must be vetted and approved by DOC before the Justice Center and complete their training.

If you would like to learn more or apply to be a volunteer, please contact Susan Russell at The Community Restorative Justice Center, Inc. Phone: 802-745-1363 or by email to: [email protected]