This should not be normal in the United States. This isn't normal. This isn't ok.

It shouldn't take video footage of George Floyd's murder to prove that this is wrong wrong wrong. I want to live to see a justice system/government/leadership that holds itself accountable to the communities it serves, seeing the inherent dignity and worth of ALL people regardless of the color of their skin, the $ in their pocket, their criminal background or history of substance use. I want people in power to share power equitably, to not abuse that power in discriminatory ways. I want law enforcement officers that aren't afraid of their communities and communities to not live in fear of law enforcement. I want law enforcement to be trained first and foremost as peacekeepers, to listen to their communities, and help people work through conflicts without resorting to violence.

I want to help make Maine--and this nation--a place that is welcoming to all people, and I feel grateful for all of the people in local law enforcement who show up to work each day with realness and humanity at the Reentry Center, the jail, and in the community at large. I feel grateful to participate in work that brings together both law enforcement and incarcerated/formerly system-involved people to talk about universal human experiences, breaking down stereotypes and stigmas. And there is more work to be done.

But most of all, in whatever ways, big and small, that I can fight against this sort of racism and desensitization to the violence towards and murder of people of color, I want to do that. I have this privilege and if I'm not using it for good, then I'm just as bad as the rest.

This is not ok.
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George Floyd died just after 8pm this past Monday night, Memorial Day. Tonight at 8pm I'm going to light a candle in his honor and have a few minutes of silence. Join if you want, if you are so moved.
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​medium.com/equality-includes-you/what-white-people-can-do-for-racial-justice-f2d18b0e0234

​www.nytimes.com/2020/05/27/us/george-floyd-minneapolis-death.html?fbclid=IwAR0trYDfqgSPVYP5bnbQIXFqt4PFJndOaibVsZ4iTWS_Z2-8PdphtfmXoYU

​Thank you for your dedication and passion, Dottie 🧡 It is an honor to serve with you. - RJP Maine

In the spring of 2018, Lucy Funkhouser was pursuing her Masters in Social Work Degree through the University of Maine, and she approached me about the possibility of completing her nine-month generalist internship with RJP.  To be candid, I actively discouraged her at first; "you seem great", I said, "but you're working, parenting and going to school... plus an internship based out of an office an hour-long drive from where you live?  That seems like so much!"  She took a deep breath:  "I believe in this," she said, "I want to make it happen."

Lucy jumped in with both feet.  She shuttled back and forth from Knox County to Waldo County multiple times a week.  She represented RJP at an international RJ conference in Vermont soon after beginning her internship.  She conducted outreach to harmed parties; connected with teens and their parents and guardians at kitchen tables across the midcoast; she entered data; she attended court; she conducted outreach; she boldly shared her perspectives in staff meetings.  She breathed RJ.  And, as she did, she carried messages of possibility, resilience and healing with her.  She offered that the antidote to heartache, to trauma, to disconnection... is practical; it's a community showing up to address its own harms and needs and to care for its own.

At the conclusion of her internship, we were pleased to offer her a very part-time role (five-hours a week!) as the first ever Knox County juvenile Community Resolution Coordinator.  (Previously, Knox RJ was coordinated out of the Belfast office).  She accepted.  In this capacity, Lucy has helped to establish a local presence for restorative practice in the Knox County area.  She facilitated restorative justice processes; she connected volunteer facilitators with harms in need of repair; she introduced volunteer mentors to individuals receptive to support; she networked; she helped launch drop-in circles of support for mothers in recovery; she supported grants; she thought collaboratively with citizens about what community justice looks like and means. 

As many of you are aware, Lucy graduated last week with her degree and is studying for her certification exam.  She's accepted a full time position offering *HCT or Home and Community Treatment through Community Care - a nonprofit offering a variety of support services across the state of Maine.  Happily, she'll be working in the greater Rockland area, so many of the relationships she's forged will simply take on a new dimension.

Thank you so much for your skills and your heart these past couple of years Lucy!  We are so proud that you'll bring your restorative approach to the work ahead of you! 


*Home and Community Based Treatment (HCT) is an intensive family-based therapy program that provides children and parents with support from a Licensed Clinician and a Behavioral Health Professional (BHP) to assist in managing mental health and behavioral needs of their child, and increasing the caregivers’ confidence and skill set to do so. The service is provided in the family’s home, and occasionally within the community depending on the treatment needs of the child. The HCT service is typically a 3-6 month service.  HCT is intensive and is often in the home within the range of 4-10 hours a week.