February 27, 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                         

CONTACT: Brenda Lange
Associate Director of Communication
 215-248-7110
 langeb@chc.edu

Restorative Justice Conference to be Held at Chestnut Hill College

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Restorative Justice Coalition will sponsor a conference at the SugarLoaf campus of Chestnut Hill College, Friday, March 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The award-winning documentary, “Circle Up,” www.circleupdoc.com, will be presented by filmmaker, Julie Mallozzi. The movie’s subject, Janet Connors, will give the keynote address, in which she will share her ongoing work in restorative justice after the murder of her son.

The Coalition is a group of local agencies, organizations and individuals committed to promoting restorative justice—a way of responding to wrongdoing and conflict that seeks to repair the harm suffered by actively involving those affected in mutual dialogue and decision-making—through education and advocacy.

“The restorative justice process brings victims, offenders and supporters together to share the impact the conflict or event has had on their lives and what is needed to prevent recurrence and make things right again,” says Sara Kitchen, J.D., a professor of criminal justice at CHC and the event’s coordinator. “This approach is the wave of the future.”

The goal of the documentary is to start conversations about justice, forgiveness and accountability; promote restorative justice as an alternative to school suspension or juvenile detention; support healing for survivors of violence; and help incarcerated people transform their lives.

The conference—co-sponsored by CHC, Institute for Forgiveness and Reconciliation, St. Joseph’s University, Philadelphia’s Mural Arts Program and other organizations—is open to the public. Entrance fee is $20; free for students. Registration is required at RJC REGISTRATION by March 2, 2018.

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About Chestnut Hill College

Chestnut Hill College offers a rigorous four-year undergraduate curriculum that provides students with a broad background in the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. Today, we have added programming such as cybersecurity, exercise science and forensic sciences designed to help our students find successful careers.

CHC also offers accelerated undergraduate degrees, master’s degrees and a doctoral program. Visit www.chc.edu.