Submitted by Margot Fleischman, C4RJ board member

An exciting online auction benefiting Communities for Restorative Justice (C4RJ) will run from May 18-June 2, 2013. You will be able to bid and win a wonderful wealth of items from the comfort of your own home or office. Auction items include vacation travel, tickets to Red Sox games, museums, or the Boston Symphony Orchestra, a year’s membership in the Beede health center, numerous ways to pamper oneself, golf outings at various clubs, dining out, Verrill’s famous pies, and much, much more. Watch the auction site as more items are added.
To browse, register or bid go to https://www.biddingforgood.com/c4rj. By registering online you will be eligible to win an iPAD Mini (value $350).
C4RJ partners with local police to bring an offender, a victim as well as other affected community members together in a group setting called a “circle,” not in a courtroom. What distinguishes restorative justice is the fact it recognizes that crime is a violation of people and relationships, not just the law. Participation in C4RJ is voluntary. At meetings led by trained community volunteers, those affected by crime have an opportunity to share their stories and agree by consensus on meaningful repair — from paying for damages to community service, from writing letters of apology to examining decision making, or seeking counseling services.
Communities for Restorative Justice (C4RJ), a non-profit, was begun in 2000 and has spread to 12 towns since then. Concord was joined by Carlisle at first. Now Acton, Arlington, Ayer, Bedford, Boxborough, Cambridge, Groton, Littleton, Stow and Wellesley have signed on.
Please support C4RJ and benefit yourself through this online auction. For more information about C4RJ, check out www.c4rj.com