18th Edition - October 2011 Our Caseload is GROWING and We need You to grow with Us!

Now is Your chance to sign up for the Fall Conference Facilitator Training and to join our Great Team of Volunteers working to make a Difference in the lives of Crime Victims, Teenagers and all Citizens of Crow Wing County?
Every year Crow Wing County Courts see around 1,200 juveniles. Many of these youth are Involved in minor offenses like fighting and small thefts, but some are involved in very serious offenses. Whatever the offense, they need to be held accountable. They need to learn the harm their behavior caused and they need to decide not to do it again.

You can help these Youth and the Victims they have harmed!!
Lakes Area Restorative Justice Project is a community directed, operated, and supported nonprofit organization in Crow Wing County whose mission is to restore community by involving juveniles who have caused harm, the people who were harmed, and local citizens in a process which addresses the needs of the victim, holds the youth accountable for restoration, and promotes healing for all. Volunteers generally donate about ten to fifteen hours per case and accept three to five cases per year. Cases can be scheduled at the volunteer's convenience. Volunteers work in pairs and will be mentored by LARJP staff as long as needed. Volunteers need to be eighteen years of age; have their own transportation; a desire to help their community including youth, victims and families; and must complete 20 hours of training as well as four ongoing in-services per year.

Three-day LARJP Training Friday, November 11th - 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm Saturday, November 12th - 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Sunday, November 13th - 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm Central Lakes College, Brainerd To get more Information or Apply to be a Volunteer:
View our website to download description and application ~ www.lakesarearestorativejustice.org If you have any questions or would like to speak to someone about this opportunity please contact:
Charmaine Shepard LARJP 4638 County Rd 11 Pequot Lakes, MN 56472 218-568-4145 email: office.assistant@larjp.org Terri Nault, Volunteer Coordinator 218-587-2979 or email: nault8@tds.net or Stephanie Haider, Director of Program Services 612-327-3162, email: stephhaider@aol.com

Community Partnership Challenge

Fall Fundraiser
By Executive Director Jim Oraskovich & The Fundraising Committee with Chair Bob Hoeft If you believe in what we do and want to support our efforts, now is the perfect time. We recently received 4 generous donations and offers to donate matching funds to our program. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Oppenheimer Fund and two Anonymous donors have made this opportunity possible for you to leverage your donation by helping us match these donations.

Our goal is match up to the full $5,000 donated by these donors.

Please join us Oct 15th 31st to make your tax deductable donation.
You can either mail in your donation or go on-line and use the GiveMN.org link on either our website or Facebook page.

Just follow these quick and easy steps to make your donations:

Checks can be mailed to LARJP, 4638 CO RD 11, Pequot Lakes, MN 56472

To use a credit card and make your donation on-line simply go to our website: www.lakesareastorativejustice.org or like us on Facebook to access our GiveMN.org donation links. On Our Website: 1. Select Donation Opportunities tab 2. Enter your donation amount in the Donate Now form 3. Click green Donate Now button 4. Complete Billing Info form 5. Complete Card Details form 6. Click green Pay Now button (You card will now be charged) On Facebook: 1. Select GiveMN.org Donate Now tab 2. Click on green DONATE NOW button 3. Enter Donation amount in the Make a Donation Box 4. Click green Donate button 5. Complete Your Donation form 6. Click Donate Now at bottom of the pg (You card will now be charged)

Both forms will allow you to give anonymously; set up one time only, weekly, monthly or annual automatic donations; and to set up a free GiveMN.org membership. Please contact Admin Asst Janet Wedan if you have any questions: 218-232-6544 or janet.wedan@larjp.org

From the Executive Directors Pen Jim Oraskovich_______________________________________________

The Benefits of Conferences and Training
Recently I attended the two-day Minnesota Restorative Services Coalition Summit. The coalition is the restorative services statewide organization that brings groups doing restorative justice together from across the state. The purpose of the summit was to focus on current and future service needs in Minnesota. During my work in education I always found state and national conference beneficial in networking with people in the field and sharing information about our programs. This conference was no exception. It was a good learning experience to have the opportunity to talk to people who have worked with restorative justice much longer than I have. The first day was spent talking about strengths, opportunities, threats and weaknesses in the restorative justice work throughout the state. The diverse group of different cultures and areas of Minnesota found we have some common needs to address. Circle groups were used to discuss issues with the focus on common basics of honesty, respect, trust, love and many of the other areas used to accomplish the groups work. I found it very meaningful to hold an eagle feather (talking item) given to one of the men, that was made in 1890 and also a talking stick carved by a victim in the shape of a buffalo leg and decorated with cultural art. I had the chance to talk to a judge from Washington County, to listen to a retired county attorney and hear a speaker telling us about public policy on the services for individual with criminal records and ways to educate employers to promote hiring individuals with criminal records. The second day was spent addressing the needs to advance restorative justice services being provided across the state. The main focus was in the areas of data collection and funding, advocating for support from public agencies, development of policies and building social networking connections. The common needs impressed me, because they are similar to the same needs that Lakes Area Restorative Justice Project has and is addressing. I cant express enough how beneficial this summit was for me. I hope in the future we can have more of our staff and board members attending conferences of this nature.

Weve Been BUSY!! Check out some of Our Wonderfully Fun Summer & Early Fall Activities

Pequot Lakes Community - Family Picnic Fun for the whole family!!
Prairie Bay Cashwise Second Thursday THANK YOU EVERYONE for your generosity and continued support!!

2011 United Way Chili Cook-off

2
st nd

place for Taste for Non-profits

1 place - Best Gimmick

WE ROCKED!!

Why is it Important to Volunteer for Lakes Area Restorative Justice Project?

After 22 years of teaching Jans family wants her to quit. They are worried and afraid that it will happen againonly next time it could be more serious than a student only threatening her. After much deliberation and several discussions with the LARJP facilitator, Jan decides to come to a restorative conference. The youth explains but does not excuse his behavior. He listens as Jan states that this is the first time in her entire teaching career that she has felt fear. He assures Jan that he never meant to hurt her; he was just angry. He agrees to write letters to her family, hopefully to quell their fears. This school year Jan is back teaching. She tells her School Administrator that she feels the restorative justice process helped her to heal. Retiring to the Brainerd area has helped John and his wife feel safe and given him a chance to be closer to his hunting and fishing buddies. But now his wife does not want him to leave home overnight. When a firearm is stolen out of your vehicle it compromises your sense of safety. So John was very hesitant when approached by LARJP facilitators. They gave John a choice and a voice regardless of whether he chose to participate. John chose to attend and met the youth who admitted their judgment was hampered by alcohol. They agreed to show proof that they were maintaining their sobriety, to pay for the lost firearm, and to write a letter once a month to John and the others they had harmed about their progress towards living a responsible life. John ended the conference by discussing his favorite fishing spots with the youth. John said he feels once again that the Brainerd area is a darn good place to live. Each and every one of us shares a responsibility to make our community a better place. When crime occurs it damages the fabric of our community. It damages our sense of safety and well-being. Restorative justice gives attention to the concerns and fears of victims. It is as much for those victimized as it is for those causing the harm. Our restorative conferences foster the connections necessary to maintain our healthy community. And, we also save taxpayers dollars by significantly reducing court expenditures as many youth are diverted from long and costly court processes. The citizens of this community are our core workforce. So by volunteering you enable us to continue our valuable and worthwhile work. As volunteer facilitators YOU benefit in many ways: You are learning conflict management skills that can transfer to your work or home life. You are offered tasks and duties that are challenging and interesting. You do not need any prior experience or special education. You can choose to take cases when YOU are able and available- snowbirds are welcome. You meet others who are active and engaged community members. You can add it to your resume for employment or school. You can work from your home and schedule meetings in the community around your availability. You need to take a minimum of four cases per year totaling as little as 80 hours per year- much less than other volunteer roles You get paid for your mileage and other perks are offered. So please volunteer. If you wish to be a volunteer facilitator you will need to complete an application and attend one of our three day training sessions offered twice a year. The next is November 11th, 12th and 13th at Central Lakes College in Brainerd (see the notice on page one in this newsletter for times and location). If you wish to volunteer as a community member only an orientation is required. Those will be scheduled as needed. Please take a look at our website (www.lakesarearestorativejustice.org) for further descriptions of each of these volunteer roles as well as our other committees and needs. You may also call our office at 218-568-4145. Please spread the word to all you can so that we can accomplish these important community needs. Thank You. Stephanie Haider - Director of Program Services

Offender Support Network Becky Lee, LARJP Volunteer Facilitator

While the conferences that we facilitate bring the primary focus to the incident that precipitated LARJP intervention, we must remember that there are other people that are involved with the process too. People who support the offender are often asked to be present; like a best friend, a special uncle, a counselor, a grandparent. These are people who are put in a stressful situation simply by being there as it is sometimes difficult to express support for the offender and yet to condemn the action at the same time. However they are important to the conference, as they often have insights about the offender and can show how they are affected by the offenders actions as well, often unconsidered until that point by the offenders. In a case that I participated in earlier this summer, I met a young lady who stole from a random locker. She didnt think through her action: that she would be caught, that she would be charged with a crime, that the victim would find out it was her, that she would lose the trust of her family and friends. So it was a surprise to her that all these things happened simply by making one choice in one moment. Even when she was caught, she still didnt believe that her actions had much effect on anyone but the victim. The preconference and the conference itself showed the young lady who else was affected by her bad choice. The grandmother first heard about the incident from the offenders brother. There was unbelief, followed by anxiety, shame and uncertainty. How could this loving child take something that wasnt hers? Hadnt she always told the young lady that you have to earn your way in life? That things are not given on a silver platter, and you just cant take someone elses things? During the process, the offenders mother and significant other were there with her. For her support, her grandmother sat nearest to her and supported her the entire time from beginning to end. Her grandmother showed the young lady that while her actions had caused her disappointment, she would always love and support her. Grandmother and Granddaughter have a significant bond, and there were some emotional moments for both of them. When the offender heard her grandmother express disappointment and shame in her actions, this had an immediate impact on her. As a sensitive young lady herself, it hurt her to see the distress that her family had experienced because of what she did. The grandmother expresses her gratefulness at being an active participant in the LARJP process. She feels that the whole process of meeting with the victim, the community and the entire family really emphasized to the young lady that her actions affect more than just herself. The contract conditions were very reasonable and they were given ample time so that the contract could be completed without hardship on the family. It was the young ladys responsibility to complete the contract--not her parents, not her grandmothers--but hers alone. The family assisted in making sure that she completed the contract, but they could not complete the actions required in the contract for her. The grandmother does not think that going to court, along with any resulting fines or otherwise would have had the impact on the young lady that this process had. Yes, she would have been punished, but without directly seeing how deeply her actions affected the victim and others, would she have continued to selfishly act without thinking of the consequences? As a final note, the young lady is doing well, and still has to make a concentrated effort to continue to make good choices. She is still earning back the trust of her family and friends. She is getting more involved in extracurricular activities. The grandmother has noticed that this process has also opened the familys eyes too; that it had a hand in helping the family as a whole become a more cohesive unit, and to emphasize good choices.

Come meet Amy Odegard

Amy is one of those gals who revel in family and all that the word family encompasses. She is married and has 5 children and two precious granddaughters. As the 16th child of 16 children Amy pours herself into family, enjoying such activities as school sports, bon fires and peace invoking trips to Lake Superiors North Shore. Amy has resided in Pequot Lakes for 15 years and hails from the New Prague area. She spent 5 years running her own home daycare and 10 years in retail management. When the economy started to falter Amy took the bull-by-the horns and decided to take up her lifelong dream in perusing a career in law enforcement. With the loving support of her husband and her children Amy recently graduated from Central Lakes Colleges Criminal Justice program. Amy hopes for a school liaison position but is also open to other possibilities. Amy is one of the founding members of the Brainerd Lakes Area Youth Sporting Expo and currently serves as the Co- Chair of the organization. Amys passion lies heavily with youth and is demonstrated by the fact that while her kids were growing up her home was invariably the house that all the neighborhood kids hung-out. She has always had a heart for listening, respecting and just plain being there for them. It was natural that over the years hearing her friend, John Ryan would talk about his involvement with LARJP that she would keep that interest in the back of her mind for years to come. While attending CLC classes Amy did a report on LARJP and again more questions about the circle process, program values and community reparation were answered during an interview with Roger Lynn the programs director. In 2010 Amy attended the Spring Facilitator training and has been a valuable asset to our program. One of the core roles that LARJP plays in its unique conferencing process is LARJP gives everyone involved a voice., Helps the victim, offender and community members and their families be heard, It gives youth an alternative to court proceedings and a record that may follow then negatively throughout life. Amy said that she has seen youth that once they have a court record, loose all hope and get the I already have a recordwhy not! attitude. The rewards for Amy are when past youth offenders in our program pass her on the street or in a public setting and look her in the eye and say hello! No hiding, no shame. That is why Amy continues as a volunteer. She swears by the If I can improve one youths life for the positive, than Ive done what I was called to do.

Come meet Rebecca Lee

Becky has a 10 year old son, Matthew, who insists on getting older every year. She has lived in Brainerd for over 11 years. Previously Becky lived in Wisconsin, Arizona, Washington DC and Iowa but grew up in Medford MN. She enjoys spending time with her son, reading, beading, having fun, and playing pool. She is enrolled with the White Earth Band of Ojibwa and graduated from University of WI-Milwaukee with degrees in Criminal Justice and American Indian Studies. Becky is currently enrolled in a Paralegal Studies program. In 2000 Becky was able to get her foot in the gaming-door as a Blackjack Dealer and now works for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwa Gaming Regulatory Authority and is Compliance Manager for the Mille Lacs Property. Her department ensures that gaming activities at Mille Lacs comply with any and all applicable laws/regulations. She currently sells Avon products, as well. Becky has been a volunteer facilitator for over 3 years and She likes LARJP because of the opportunity it gives to: 1. The victims to allow them a voice that may otherwise not be heard. 2. The offenders because the process is not so much punitive as it is a eye opening experience that requires active efforts be given in order to promote healing. 3. The community because crimes do not happen in a vacuum, and it helps the offenders realize that all actions have consequences beyond what they may have considered. Becky says she has always been interested in the Why? aspect. LARJP (and her job) allows her to focus on that aspect. She states: I am still learning, always learning! Two quotes Becky shared: Always walk through life as if you have something new to learn and you will. ~Vernon Howard It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men. ~Frederick Douglass

Catching up on Where we are Today ~ David Slipy, Board Chairman We are finishing 6 years of operation. Six years of providing all of Crow Wing County with an alternative for juvenile offenders. In that time our staff and volunteer facilitators have handled over 300 cases, with more than five hundred juveniles involved. LARJP has had a significant impact on the lives of juveniles, victims of juvenile offenses, as well as the County Attorneys office and court system. Our volunteers are making a real difference! As for the organization itself, our new Executive Director, Jim Oraskovich, is doing a great job. Hes been on board just over a year and has really helped us get organized! Stephanie Haider and Terri Nault work together training and assisting our volunteer facilitators. Stephanie with her background in restorative justice was instrumental in us getting up and running 6 years ago. LARJP could not function without both of them. Janet Wedan and Charmaine Shepard provide the support that all organizations need to function. Janet keeps the Board of Directors on track and supports Jim in his work. Charmaine works with Stephanie and Terri and the facilitators. The Board of Directors has 3 new members, Valerie Macklem, Jon Weston, and Jim Hummel. Valerie is the Board Secretary and is working with our Public Relations committee, Jon is the Board Treasurer, and Jim has joined the fundraising committee. I look forward to working with them. We are well positioned to provide service to Crow Wing County into the future. Funding will continue to be our greatest challenge. We are an independent non-profit organization which relies on grants and donations to continue our work. Lets all hope that even in the financial environment we face, we can find the funds to continue.

Remember that you can find us at ~ www.lakesarearestorativejustice.org

Come on board and meet the Board Members, see what the projects goals are, find out what upcoming activities are taking place and when and more. You will also have quick access to us through our contact us email links or use these addresses: Jim Oraskovich, Executive Director.executive.director@larjp.org Stephanie Haider, Program Services....stephhaider@aol.com Terri Nault, Volunteer Coordinatornault8@tds.net Janet Wedan, Administrative Assistant..janet.wedan@larjp.org Charmaine Shepard, Office Assistantoffice.assistant@larjp.org

Give us a Call at 218-568-4145 4638 Co Rd 11, Pequot Lakes, MN 56472 LARJP Board of Directors
David Slipy, Board Chair Christine Palmer, Vice Chair Valerie Macklem, Secretary Jon Weston, Treasurer Connie Friebohle Bob Hoeft Jim Hummel Greg Johnson John Newhouse Ray Niemann Kate Petersen Troy Schreifels Paul Tesdahl Mgt Training Consultant, Breezy Point School Counselor, Pequot Lakes Business Owner, Baxter Accountant, Brainerd Past Program Participant, Brainerd Retired Minister, Deerwood Retired Businessman, Pine River Retired Business Owner, Backus Business Owner ~ CEO, Brainerd Business Consultant, Pequot Lakes Police Officer, Pequot Lakes Police Sgt - School Resource Off, Brainerd Retired School Superintendent, Deerwood

Active Conference Facilitators

Ralph Bakeberg Patty Bakeberg Sandra Bergstrom Connie Friebohle Marlin Gens Robert Hershey
Ron Johnson David Jones Jack LaBarre Bridget Larson Rebecca Lee Pam Lillehei Patricia Madison Karen Mertes Cindy Moore Kathy Pietz Terry Prettyman Cheyenne Velazquez

Our Mission:
The Lakes Area Restorative Justice Project is a community directed, operated and supported nonprofit organization located in Crow Wing County, whose mission is to restore community by involving juveniles who have caused harm, the people who were harmed, and local citizens in a process which addresses the needs of the victim, holds the youth accountable for restoration, and promotes healing for all.

October 2011
15 31st

Community Partnership Challenge GiveMN.org - Matching Donation Fundraiser Go Online to donate!

~ See Page 2 for more details ~ Regular Board Meeting Pequot Lakes Library 7:00 pm

24th

November 2011
11th 13th

New Facilitator Training

Central Lakes College, Brainerd, MN ~ See page 1 for more details ~ 21st Executive Committee Meeting Pequot Lakes Library 4:00 pm