Wednesday, February 21st | 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Tom Tom Foundation, 100 W. South St
In this interactive session, Erin Campbell and Rydell Payne from Central Virginia Community Justice will introduce us to restorative frameworks and practices that can strengthen us as individuals and as an interconnected community.
CVCJ’s restorative justice is used innovatively by Charlottesville and Albemarle’s criminal legal systems, diverting cases away from the courtroom so that crime and harms can be addressed directly by those most impacted. People who have been harmed ask for what they need to heal, and those who are responsible for harm grow by taking action and accountability. Erin and Rydell will share some stories of CVCJ’s powerful work, and how, when we are treated with dignity and given space to reflect, we are more willing to step into accountability and empathy.
This workshop will introduce "circle process," a way of slowing down the conversation to hear and share what's at the heart of the matter. Then, participants will be invited to apply RJ principles to a situation in their own lives. We'll use journaling, pair share and group share to ponder how RJ can bring healing, repair and safety to situations of harm and conflict happening in our community right now.
All tickets are donation based on a sliding scale ($15 - $35). Please pay what you can to support the series.
FACILITATORS
Rydell Payne is a facilitator with Central Virginia Community Justice. Rydell spent twelve years at Community Attention in Charlottesville, serving as a mentor and case manager. Following this, he dedicated almost 18 years as the executive director of Charlottesville Abundant Life Ministries. In August 2019, Rydell transitioned to a case manager role for the STARS group homes, a position he held for three years before commencing his current role as a facilitator for Central Virginia Community Justice in October 2022.
Erin Campbell co-directs and facilitates cases with Central Virginia Community Justice. After completing a graduate degree in Conflict Transformation at Eastern Mennonite University, she has supported various group facilitation processes around important and often contentious issues. Erin sees communication, empathy and accountability as powerful, learnable skills that she seeks in her own life as well as in CVCJ work. Erin lives in a tiny house she built herself, and she loves mountain biking and adventuring with her eight nieces and nephews.
Paul Beyer is the founder of the Tom Tom Foundation and Tom Tom Festival, and in his role as executive director, is responsible for its strategic vision and community partnerships. Beyond Tom Tom, Paul works on a variety of gatherings and events ranging from festivals, dance parties, dinner series, meditations, men's groups, conferences, seminars, and concerts.
CO-HOST
Central Virginia Community Justice provides a brave space for those involved in crime or harm to decide how the harm should be addressed, outside of a courtroom. People who have been harmed ask for what they need to heal, and those who are responsible for harm grow by taking action and accountability. This is restorative justice (RJ). RJ is a voluntary, confidential process that studies show reduces trauma symptoms, increases empathy, reduces reoffending, and makes communities safer.
ABOUT THE SERIES
This year-long series picks up critical themes from our April Festival and continues the conversations to create an impact in Charlottesville. Each Tomorrow Talk session is facilitated with an emphasis on participation, connection, and new collaborations.
Tomorrow Talks begin with a connection exercise or meditation and proceed into a presentation and breakout activities. They aim to impart knowledge that is practical and relevant to people's lived experience; combining academic or theoretical insights, alongside pragmatic tools, and experiential and somatic learnings.