Community Justice and Mediation Center

Restorative Justice: CJAM provided restorative processes to 84 clients (youths, adults and family members) through the Victim and Offender Restoration Program (VORP) and Shoplifting and Theft Education Program (STEP). Both programs provide education, accountability, and reflection aimed at reducing harms caused through crimes which is shown to reduce recidivism. In VORP, CJAM works with clients (offenders) and their victims. 38 clients were served (90% of the offenders were juveniles) and 70% of offenders successfully completed the program. STEP targets first-time offenders who have been charged with theft or shoplifting. 47 individuals were served and 92% successfully completed the program. Clients are primarily referred by the Monroe County (MC) Prosecutor's office, and the MC Probation Department. CJAM continued to deliver all restorative programs via a virtual platform, by phone, or in person when necessary.

Community Voices for Health: This public engagement project was launched in 2020 in partnership with Bloomington Health Foundation and is funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The project seeks to address issues of health inequities by bringing under served communities together with health policy and decision makers to create more equitable decision-making processes. 2022 highlights included continued collaboration with over 230 people participating in facilitation and community dialogue sessions. A Community Voices for Health Toolkit was produced and was shared locally, regionally, and statewide. In September 2022 Robert Wood Johnson awarded CJAM an additional $350,000 in flexible core support funding. This core support funding will allow CJAM to continue several CVH initiatives along with building CJAM's internal capacity and strengthening program infrastructure.

Mediation: CJAM provided free or very low-cost mediation services to 997 clients in the following areas: conflicts involving landlords-tenants, neighbors/hoods, families, roommates, organizational/workplace disputes, and consumer/contractual issues. Trained CJAM volunteer mediators worked to provide safe spaces to facilitate constructive conversations. They help parties in reaching agreements which best meet individual needs. CJAM also provided mediation each week during small claims and eviction court (459 cases). 80% of all mediated cases reached agreement. In addition, CJAM provided conflict coaching and referrals (350), and mediation/restorative justice/conflict management trainings (85 attendees). CJAM continued to see an increase in eviction mediation cases in 2022 and worked closely with Monroe County courts to provide mediation services each week during eviction and small claims courts