Facilitated by the DC Peace Team
Sat. January 23, 12:00 pm-3:00 pm EST
Location: ONLINE (Zoom link will be in the confirmation message that comes up after you complete this form and sent about 24 hrs. before the session, contact: Karen - bortvedt09@gmail.com or Maite - rmaite17@gmail.com )

The past few years have been challenging for many. Whether it is a disconnection from others because of polarization or a fear of loss of protections, a separation from loved ones or other harm, the impact of decisions made by political leaders or struggles with a political party that has been our key identity, a loss of feelings of security or threats to our very existence/way of life - we are collectively hurting.  This space will allow us to start to acknowledge some of the hurts we continue to carry, to name them, and to see where others are at in their own journeys.  It is only when we start to heal our hurts that we can be sure we are not passing them on to others. While our hurts may look different, compassion and empathy, in this safe space will allow us to connect with those underlying hurts.  This space will include an introductory acknowledging where we are at on our own healing journey and an extended time to sit in the brave, safe, vulnerable space of a circle with others.  

Each circle will be facilitated by experienced DCPT RJ circlekeepers.

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Restorative Justice, or "RJ," is a philosophy and set of practices that engage the community in building relationships and repairing harm through inclusive dialogue, deep understanding, and shared power.

RJ processes are powerful catalysts for truth-telling, healing, and growth through the collective confrontation of pain and challenges. RJ operates through two central ideas: harm can be faced, and harm can be healed.  
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We request a financial contribution of $30-$65 to support our work and help us better serve the community.  And, participation matters to us! You are enthusiastically welcomed to join even if you are unable or unwilling to give money at this time.

Other strategies for contributing to the sustainability of these offerings include:

* liking the DC Peace Team on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/DcPeaceTeam/),
* following the DC Peace Team on Twitter (@DCPeaceTeam) or Instagram
* and sharing this registration form with your networks via other channels such as email.

If you identify and feel called to act in some creative additional ways to contribute towards our sustainability, please let us know!

For those who can, please submit payment today. You can pay online here: https://dcpeaceteam.com/donate/ or write a check out to DC Peace Team and mail to Eli McCarthy at 7305 Baylor Ave., College Park MD 20740.

Zoom link provided close to the event date after payment and/or other contribution towards sustainability is confirmed.

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Facilitator(s):

Christian Paris (he/his) is a certified Restorative Justice Facilitation practitioner and a proud member of the DC Peace Team family. Over the past eight years, he has been blessed to lead and serve as a keeper and facilitator of dialogue circles here in the United States and abroad, centering heavily around the cross-cultural communication and nonviolent strategic action.  He holds a Masters of Conflict Resolution from Georgetown University.

Heather Thompson (she/her) has been a legal assistant with the Public Defender's office since 2017. Prior to that, she worked with a non-profit organization that focused on bail reform. From 2007-2015, she was a Courtroom Clerk at the Montgomery County Circuit Court. She has participated in victim-offender dialogues in the past and is a passionate advocate for criminal and social justice reform. She is a recent graduate of Montgomery College, earning associate degrees in Criminal Justice and General Studies with a Social Science Concentration.

Karen Bortvedt Estrada (she/her) works full time as Relationship Manager for an international development organization and also leads workshops on depolarization.  Through both her personal and professional experiences, she has seen the power of authenticity, vulnerability, and self-healing to transform family and community systems locally and overseas.  Karen is passionate about holding space to humanize, hear, and heal.

Maite Rubio (she/her) serves as a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Audit Coordinator in the Office of Response & Recovery. She is a second-year Masters of Public Administration candidate, with a concentration in Social Policy. She graduated from George Mason University, B.A in Global Affairs with a concentration in International Development. Maite is an advocate for social justice and healing.