For Immediate Release

Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 978-769-5193
Email: john@jgpr.net

NEMLEC Foundation Donates $2,500 to Communities for Restorative Justice

BEDFORD – The NEMLEC Police Foundation, Inc. is pleased to announce that it has donated a portion of its annual fundraising proceeds to the Communities for Restorative Justice (C4RJ).

On Wednesday, June 29, Police Chief Robert Bongiorno, a NEMLEC Foundation board member, presented a check for $2,500 to Erin Freeborn, Executive Director of C4RJ.

Communities for Restorative Justice is a community-police partnership that offers an alternative restorative justice process, rather than processing a young person or adult in court. The nonprofit responds to crime in ways that heal, hold accountable and put right by hosting a “circle” where the victim, offender and members of the community come together to discuss the full impact of an event and collaboratively create a repair plan.

“The NEMLEC Foundation was created to help such worthy causes like Communities for Restorative Justice,” said Rich Raymond, Chairman of the NEMLEC Foundation. “We are pleased to see a portion of our fundraising proceeds allow residents to participate in the restorative justice model who otherwise would not have the means to do so.”

The money donated will be designated for NEMLEC communities in which families are unable to pay the fees attached to participate in a restorative justice circle.

The NEMLEC Police Foundation exists to promote and pursue training, education, research, projects, and programs that benefit municipal police agencies and their communities in Northeastern Massachusetts. The Foundation also uses money raised through donations and fundraisers to support various charitable organizations.

About Communities for Restorative Justice:

Founded in 2000, Communities for Restorative Justice (C4RJ) is a nonprofit organization of community and police partners that offers restorative justice to those affected by crime. The organization is guided by a 13-member board with over 100 trained volunteers. C4RJ recognizes that crime is a violation of people and relationships, not just a violation of law. It receives police referrals and seeks to include those affected by crime in the decision-making: victims, offenders, loved ones, supporters, community members, and law enforcement officials.

###