Get Involved: Conflict Transformation Works - Youth & Young Adult Volunteers

Youth & Young Adult Volunteers

Description:

Volunteer Position Title (unpaid): Peer Representative, Restorative Justice Circles

Restorative Justice is a way of resolving crime in community. It works by bringing the people who are most impacted by crime [harmed person(s), responsible person(s) and community representatives] together to collaboratively answer these questions:

• Who was harmed and how?
• What needs to be done to make things right and who is responsible for that?

A peer representative volunteer participates in a Restorative Justice Circle to represent the youth and young adult community perspective and provide support.

 

Age Range:

• Youth: 14-17
• Young Adults: 18-25

Volunteer Support Staff:

• Dana Henderson; Public Engagement Specialist
• Mary-Claire Geiss; Restorative Justice Program Specialist

Responsibilities & Activities:

• Represent the youth and young adult community perspective in a Restorative Justice Circle.
• Participate in a way that shows verbal, and non-verbal, support for all.
• Practice active listening and good communication in sharing stories and experiences about the impacts of relevant harm(s).
• Use a strengths-based approach with all participants and actively participate in generating ideas for repairing harm(s) in the restorative justice process.
• Let staff know if you have a conflict of interest with participants.

 

*Fort Collin’s Police Department, Municipal Court, and District Attorney’s office refer youth and young adults to our three restorative justice programs. Typical cases include petty, misdemeanor and felony offenses in which harm has been done to individuals, businesses, and/or school communities.

Time Commitment:

• Participate in New Volunteer Orientation training (2.5 hours)
• Restorative Justice Circles are a 4-hour time commitment:
  • Circles scheduled Monday – Thursday evenings beginning at 4:30 p.m.
  • Saturday RESTORE program (approximately 8:45 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.)
• Peer volunteers are expected to have a 15-30-minute-long preparation meeting with facilitators before each Circle.

Licenses, Certifications, and Safety:

• Successful completion of a background check (7-year criminal history) is required for all volunteers beginning at age 16.

Skills and Qualifications:

• • Access to reliable transportation.
  • Have either a valid working email address or phone.
  • Be accountable to communicate and respond to fellow volunteers and staff.
  • Actively engage in our program’s culture of mentoring: give and receive feedback from participants, peers, and program staff.
  • Appreciation for diversity, cultural competency, and equity.

Volunteer Benefits:

• Gain access to professional development opportunities to support personal and professional growth.
• Opportunity to work with dedicated staff and volunteers.
• Opportunity to work with and inform community members.
• Free transportation on Transfort (with volunteer badge)

Location:

Conflict Transformation Works Office

112 North Howes Street

Fort Collins, CO 80522

Interests:

Community Volunteer - Youth, Outreach - Justice, Sports and Recreation - Teens (13-18), Outreach - Conflict Resolution, Community Volunteer - Neighborhoods

Skills:

Conflict Resolution