Restorative Justice | Center For Community Justice

Providing pathways to healing

Center for Community Justice responds to crime and conflict by focusing on personal responsibility and
accountability. Offenders face the people they’ve harmed and take steps to make it right.

40 years ago, CCJ became the first organization in the country to use this approach to crime, known as
restorative justice. Today, our work is helping to heal victims and break the cycle of crime and poverty that
plagues communities across the country.

In Elkhart County, Indiana, someone becomes the victim of a crime every two hours. CCJ is working to
provide pathways to healing for a community that has been harmed by crime.

Learn More

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Providing pathways to healing

Center for Community Justice responds to crime and conflict by focusing on personal responsibility and
accountability. Offenders face the people they’ve harmed and take steps to make it right.

In Elkhart County, Indiana, someone becomes the victim of a crime every two hours. CCJ is working to
provide pathways to healing for a community that has been harmed by crime.

Learn More

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Become a Champion

A champion is someone who is a current, committed, individual who is connected to the cause of CCJ, able to make the case for supporting CCJ and an integral member of the Elkhart Community.

DONATE

We Make a Difference

2500 people

$1 million

Served per year in Elkhart county

In restitution payments to victims of crime

82% of victims

Who met offenders reported positive outcomes

75% of offenders

In the program do not commit another crime within three years

Victim Offender Reconciliation Program

The CCJ Opportunity

1. Legal System

Improve the experience of justice for victims and reconciliation for offenders

2. Health and Wellness

Create better outcomes for the community and those in recovery

3. School System

Support students and teachers to bolster positive educational experiences and futures

Our Services

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Testimonials

The power of forgiveness...

A young man was robbed and stabbed with a knife on his way home. After he healed from his injury, the victim wanted his money back and felt frustrated that the offender was never held accountable. After speaking separately with both the victim and the offender, they both agreed to meet.

During this conversation, the offender apologized and expressed remorse for the physical and mental pain he inflicted. He explained that he hadn’t intended for things to get violent—he had been scared and caught up in the moment. After hearing this, the victim’s attitude shifted. He forgave the offender and shared some of the poor choices he’d made in his own life. The offender expressed a desire to pay back the stolen money—even though it would take him a while to save up. Both the victim and the offender left the meeting feeling heard and understood.