St. Croix Valley Restorative Justice Program

History of SCVRJP

The St. Croix Valley Restorative Justice Program (SCVRJP) was founded in 2001. A small group of interested individuals wanted to promote the use of Restorative Justice as an alternative for victims and offenders. In 2004 the mission statement "To build and sustain a culture of peace and belonging utilizing restorative justice principles and programs in our community" was officially adopted.

Founders: Keith Rodli, an attorney mediator, and Marlene Parslow, a court
mediator

Currently, SCVRJP is staffed by an Executive Director, part-time volunteer coordinator a contracted bookkeeper, office volunteers and student interns. SCVRJP is a 501c3 non-profit serving Pierce & St. Croix Counties in Western Wisconsin. The Board of Directors meets monthly and is actively involved in governance and oversight of the program.

"We wanted to embed Restorative Justice into the community. From schools to diversion and in aspects of court ordered services", explains SCVRJP executive director, Kris Miner.

That vision helped create the programs offered by SCVRJP today. Beginning with one Victim Impact Panel in 2003, SCVRJP has grown to hosting monthly Victim Impact Panels throughout the area serving 400-500 people annually.

In 2006 the Restorative Justice Center opened and SCVRJP quickly became an active participant in the community. The Restorative Justice Center is in the River Center Building, just one block off of Main Street in River Falls.

. With office space, SCVRJP added Victim Empathy Seminars and Underage Consumption Panels to the roster of services. SCVRJP also offers training, providing agencies and school districts an option for embedding their own Restorative Justice program. In 2007 SCVRJP began to offer on-site training in school-based Restorative Justice and implementing circles in the classroom.

In 2007 the Allstate Foundation funded a project involving teen driving. The grant brought Restorative Justice Circles to the number one cause of death for people 16-24, car crashes. SCVRJP partnered with MN Twin Cities Public Television to produce a documentary on Teen Driving. "On the Road Together" has aired several times on MN TPT reaching 2 million viewers. In 2007 KARE 11 News (Click here to view) broadcast a story featuring SCVRJP Safe Teen Driving Circles. Safe Teen Driving Circles continue to be a successful community service.

SCVRJP has been a driving force to bring Restorative Practices into educational systems throughout the St. Croix Valley and beyond. In the past three years the use of Restorative Justice in schools has expanded both in and beyond the River Falls District to Somerset, New Richmond, eastern Minnesota and across the state of Wisconsin. SCVRJP was present at the WI Department of Public Instruction's "Heart of Successful Schools Conference", the WI "Statewide Prevention Conference" and the Governor's "Highway Traffic Safety Conference". Kris continues to be a requested presenter and trainer. She is providing the keynote address at the WI Driving Traffic Educator Association (WDTSEA) in April 2009. She will also be presenting in San Antonio, Texas at the 2nd National Restorative Justice Conference in May of 2009.

Today, SCVRJP provides a unique service to the local community. The central location of the Restorative Justice Center has improved the accessibility of Restorative services. In addition to River Falls Municipal Court and Pierce & St. Croix Circuit courts, cases are now being served from many of the area municipal courts, schools and law enforcement agencies. Community members are choosing SCVRJP as the volunteer organization of choice and accessing services directly.