The Fund for Wellesley awards $5,000 grant to Communities for Restorative Justice

Communities for Restorative Justice, a nonprofit dedicated to repairing the harm created by crime, announces with gratitude the recent award of $5,000 by The Fund for Wellesley, an Endowed Fund of the Foundation for MetroWest.

Communities for Restorative Justice (C4RJ) is an innovative community–police partnership serving 12 communities in the Metro West area. C4RJ provides a healing, inclusive, and cost-effective complement to the criminal justice system. Victims, offenders, community members, supporters, and a police officer meet in a safe, supportive restorative “circle” that allows victims to be heard and understood, offenders to take responsibility for harm, and loved ones and community members to offer support. C4RJ’s track record over 15 years shows high satisfaction rates among participants, and a marked decrease in recidivism by offenders.

This grant will support development of the restorative justice program in Wellesley, which joined C4RJ as a partner community in 2012. The funds will allow C4RJ to train additional Wellesley police officers, raise community awareness of restorative justice and its benefits, and recruit and train local volunteers—resulting in a stronger and healthier community. Learn more about C4RJ’s program at www.c4rj.com. C4RJ looks forward to deepening the role of restorative justice in the Town of Wellesley with the significant support of The Fund for Wellesley’s grant.

The Fund for Wellesley, an endowed fund of the Foundation for MetroWest, serves as a permanent source of funding to foster innovation and collaboration in support of community needs and opportunities. The mission of The Fund for Wellesley is to promote the common good and to benefit all residents of the town. For more information, visit www.thefundforwellesley.org.