Inspired by Christ, the Restorative Justice Committee was formed to focus on the Trinity Mission to "Do Justice" by addressing the needs of at-risk youth and adults in the city of New Orleans, supporting them and their families to avoid their entry or re-entry into the Louisiana criminal legal system. The aim of “restorative” justice is to go beyond penalties and facilitate community healing in the wake of criminal offenses. It is justice which promotes ways in which the dignity and worth of offenders can be protected, nurtured, and re-established, better enabling them to again become valuable, contributing members of society.
Our current priority is to partner with organizations dedicated to the mission of restorative justice, and in particular with those addressing the root causes of crime in our community. In our work, we will remain mindful of Trinity’s commitment to be an “anti-racist” church. The Committee specifically has been working to identify opportunities where Trinity parishioners can engage with such organizations to offer volunteer assistance and other means of support. To date, we have met with representatives of Cafe Reconcile, Ubuntu Village, the Center for Restorative Approaches, Innocence Project New Orleans, YEAH! Yoga, Communities in Schools, and the Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights. As a next step, we intend to set up a system for ongoing relationships and involvement with these groups, by designating a Committee member as a liaison or contact for each. For questions on becoming involved with the Restorative Justice Committee, please contact Deacon Carol Spencer (Co-Chair) or Jerry Meunier (Co-Chair).
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Trinity Episcopal Church New Orleans Restorative Justice Committee Members: The Rev. Carol Borne Spencer, Deacon (Co-Chair), Jerry Meunier (Co-Chair), Merry Toups, Edith Morris, Ashley Bond, Blair DuQuesnay, Ryan Cox, Ann Loomis, Ben Nobles, Deacon, Lisa Tompkins Holden, Margaret Wall, Rev. John Pitzer, Rhys C. Lombardo, Phyllis Raabe, Rose Wilson, Tammy Eskridge, Orissa Arend