The South Burlington Community Justice Center seeks to create and enhance the sense of community in South Burlington by fostering relationships, honest dialogue, respect and healing. We strive to prevent and address crime and conflict in South Burlington, Shelburne and Charlotte by working with those involved through shared decision making to make things right.
The South Burlington Community Justice Center (SBCJC) provides opportunities to address crime and conflict as a community, at the local level, through a restorative justice approach. The SBCJC is a department of the South Burlington Police Department of the City of South Burlington. Community member volunteers, who are trained in restorative practices, are integral to the functioning of the SBCJC and the services we offer. Like our page on Facebook.
Programs and Services
Restorative Victim Services
The Parallel Justice Program provides assistance to people whose car windows are damaged as a result of a crime. Victims are eligible for support and financial assistance for the damages.
Services for victims will be expanded over time to include outreach and support to all crime victims in South Burlington.
Restorative Justice Programs
Restorative justice programs allow for direct community involvement in the resolution of criminal offenses through participation in Restorative Justice Panels, restorative conferences and/or restorative circles. People directly affected by a crime have an opportunity to participate in a justice process where they can articulate their needs, ask questions, seek restorative actions and receive support from their community. Those responsible for a crime can learn about the harm, make amends, and build a positive connection with their community.
Restorative Reentry Programs
These programs enhance community safety as people return to their communities from prison. Services offered include facilitating dialogue between inmates and family to promote healing and reintegration and the opportunity to learn new skills and make amends.
- Those who have committed serious offenses may join a Circle of Support and Accountability (COSA), a personalized network of community members who volunteer their time to support the person’s actions as he or she builds a crime-free life.
- Resource Navigation addresses short-term needs, such as opening a bank account, getting a social security card, bus passes, referrals for employment and other types of assistance, goal setting, and more.
- Reentry Panels are convened for reentry participants who would like to repair the harm they caused and need assistance from a trained group of volunteers.
- Classes are offered in financial planning, healthy leisure activities, parenting, employment and job seeking, as well as planning and goal setting.
- Family Reintegration is a guided, structured support for reentry participants and their family members who want help talking about issues and repairing the harm the participant caused in order to reside together or co-parent successfully.
Community Conflict Assistance
This program facilitates dialogue related to neighborhood and community issues. Professional mediation services help community members talk about and find solutions to their conflicts, which may involve such issues as noise, pets, boundaries, and landlord-tenant disputes.
Additional Offerings
Community Dialogue and Education
We organize and facilitate community forums that provide opportunities for dialogue about community issues, as well as community trainings for topics related to our mission.
Restorative Schools Initiatives
SBCJC staff are available for training, technical assistance, and collaborative planning to bring restorative justice practices to South Burlington schools and to all organizations that work with youth in our community.