by Roni Coleman
BARRE — The Greater Barre Community Justice Center has named Jeannie MacLeod as its new executive director. MacLeod brings many years of restorative justice experience to this position as well as her experience as the acting executive director since October 2016.
MacLeod received an A.S. in Prevention and Community Development, a B.S. in Family and Conflict Resolution and from Woodbury College a Certificate in Mediation at Woodbury College. She has also pursued studies in Psychology, Trauma and Leadership.
In commenting on MacLeod’s appointment, City of Barre’s public safety director Tim Bombardier, had this to say. “I am very happy that Jeannie has been chosen to take over the position of director at the Greater Barre Community Justice Center. As the acting director she demonstrated that she was working diligently in the best interest of our community and keeping things running. Jeannie was the logical choice for the director’s position and we look forward to our continued relationship with the justice center and some of the new initiatives that have recently developed.” For the past 15 years, the Greater Barre Community Justice Center has addressed the issues of conflict and crime by promoting shared responsibility for a safe and healthy community. The center engages citizens in restoring relationships, repairing past harms, and building community connections through education and involvement.
It is a citizen-governed non-profit that operates with input from the City of Barre and its residents, and responds to stated needs and priorities from them and other surrounding towns. We are committed to providing a safe environment for resolving conflicts, and to promoting restorative justice and victim sensitivity throughout the entire community, based on the following principles:
- Crimes and disputes are best resolved in the local communities where they occur.
- The victim has special needs and claims that are at the center of the resolution process.
- The offender has an opportunity to understand the impact of the crime, express remorse and repair the harm done to the victim and to the wider community.
- Community members have a right to feel safe, respected and involved in the issues that affect their quality of life and sense of personal well-being.
- Restorative justice engages all those affected by crime, in an effort to put things right.
For more information visit http://www.gbcjc.org or call 476-0276.
Roni Coleman is the chair of the board of directors for The Greater Barre Community Justice Center.
