While C4RJ relies heavily on volunteers to do the work of restorative justice in our communities, staff provides leadership and coordination in the effort.
Jennifer Larson Sawin, Executive Director
Jennifer has a passion for both the principle and practice of restorative methods for dealing with wrongdoing and crime. Prior to her position at C4RJ, Jennifer headed a juvenile restorative justice program in Charlottesville, Virginia, that was paired with an emerging adult program. Referring incidents involved assault and battery, breaking and entering, trespassing, destruction of property, bomb threats, shop-lifting, and others.
Jennifer holds an MA in Conflict Transformation with an emphasis in restorative justice. Her graduate work was under the tutelage of Howard Zehr, widely considered to be grandfather of the field. Zehr authored the foundational text Changing Lenses, in which he compares “restorative justice” to “retributive justice” and proposes that crime is a violation people, as well as a violation of law.
Jennifer’s interest in harm and conflict traces to her childhood in Southern Africa in the twilight years of apartheid. In that context, she was introduced to the concept of ubuntu, a Bantu word roughly translated as “a person is a person through other people.” Imbued with this cultural instinct, Jennifer has consulted with restorative justice agencies in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and South Africa.
At C4RJ, Jennifer guides case coordinators as they shepherd cases, develops policies on practice, and spends considerable time on training, fundraising, and regional outreach.
Christy Barbee, Chief Case Coordinator
Christy Barbee has worked with Communities for Restorative Justice for five years as a volunteer facilitator, circle keeper, and case coordinator. Recently she assumed the staff role of leading other case coordinators. She has served on the Carlisle (MA) School Committee and chaired the School Building Committee. She continues to work in Citizen Action Team, a disaster-relief organization. She has a long background as an editor and writer, having worked at the Associated Press and the Boston Phoenix, and having contributed work to many magazines and companies. In 2008 she was recognized by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women as an “Unsung Heroine.” She is the mother of two.
Kate Carr, Development Specialist
Kate Carr plans and executes development and special events campaigns, and manages the C4RJ database of financial supporters. She previously served as Assistant Director, Non-Profit, for C.C. Pools, Inc., where she helped raise $7 million to construct an $11.5 million community swim and fitness center. She was the principal writer of a successful $600,000 grant, and authored all fundraising letters, media content, and collateral materials for the project. Kate has worked with several local nonprofit organizations following a career with Voice Information Associates and the Yankee Group. Her B.A. is from Trinity College, Hartford. She is the former chair of the Concord Recreation Commission, freelance journalist, and community volunteer. As a lifelong Concord resident, restorative justice appeals to her strong sense of community and accountability.
