Orleans County
Restorative Justice Center
Meet OCRJC Team
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Restorative Justice Re-Entry Coordinator and Executive Director
Meredith Whitney
Through my work as a vocational rehabilitation counselor and corrections educator, I have seen the positive impact of active listening, curiosity, and respectful accountability. I am drawn to the work of Restorative Justice and CoSA because it accepts people as people while maintaining accountability in the community. My hope as a professional is to act as a guide and witness to others on a journey without judgment.
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Restorative Justice Panel Coordinator
Lyn Gatt
It has been my great privilege to have served diverse communities over the course of my career, in a multitude of human service contexts including community mental health, court diversion and child protection.
Through this important work, I have come to believe in two fundamental truths: First, that all people have the capacity to change. And second, that no-one does this alone. Family and community networks are transformative influences and are essential in the pursuit of a safe, healthy, and fulfilled life.
Lyn Gatt, M.S.W.
Board of Directors
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
The Orleans Country Restorative Justice Center partners with our local community to address harm and injustice through practices that build connection, equity, accountability and healing.
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Board Member
Steve Mason
Steve lives in Lowell, Vermont with his partner and spouse, Patricia (Trish) Sears and his dog, Burton.
Steve has a BA degree from St. Michael’s College (Winooski, VT) and an MA and completed his doctoral coursework in International Relations at The Catholic University of America
Steve chose to be a restorative panel member at Orleans County Restorative Justice Center in part due to a positive experience he had when working for Special Olympics many years ago. During that time, as the Director of Training and Programs in Washington, DC, he brought Special Olympics Games into Lorton Penitentiary, a maximum-security facility then located in Lorton, VA, a suburb of Washington, DC.
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Board Member
Chris Hardy
Born and raised in Newport, Chris has spent his life here in the Northeast Kingdom. A proud graduate of Johnson State College (Go Badgers!), Chris has worked for Northeast Kingdom Learning Services since 2001 and is currently the Director of Adult Education and Literacy. The work the CJC does is vital to supporting and bettering our community. Wanting to be a part of that work, Chris was honored to join the Board in January, 2022.
Board Member
Terry Collins
I moved to Vermont in 1988, a decision motivated in part to having experienced several trauma events. Later in 2002, I was recruited to serve on the Newport Justice Center Restorative Panel along with 5 other citizens/neighbors. We conducted twice weekly restorative panels, usually 3-4 each evening! A great deal of work completed by a small group of dedicated panelists. Over time I recognize how restorative panels can empower those who have been harmed, like myself and family, and help provide an opportunity to be heard, and hopefully offer some closure. I would encourage anyone to give it a try!
Board Member
Mary Butler
Mary Butler , a Vermont native, born in Burlington, and in 2008 , returned like a homing pigeon to Vermont, following retirement from a 30 career in Hospital Administration and a 5 year Victim Assistance Coordinator role in the Catholic diocese of Spokane , WA.
Mary has a Bachelor of Arts, Major in Science from Diocesan Teachers College - West Hartford, CT., along with a Masters of Science in Health Education from Whitworth College (now University) Spokane, WA.
Mary has traveled extensively for both work and pleasure. Peppered into each visit , whether for a day or a month has been time invested in quality of life for that community.
Board Member
Rachel Sharp
Rachel is a queer disabled activist who spent a decade traveling the country before returning to Vermont. Her formal education has little bearing on her current work, but once chronic illness forced her early retirement, the things she learned as a protester, organizer, and tech nerd coalesced into a volunteer career of advocating for marginalized communities. She also writes novels, makes music, and occasionally howls at the moon.
Board Member
Benjamin King
As a restorative justice practitioner, there have been wonderful opportunities to serve diverse Vermont communities throughout this state. The Vermont Law School’s National Center on Restorative Justice underscores the value of restorative justice principles in our daily lives. For me, the Plain Communities exemplify and model these principles and the importance of forgiveness. Micah 6:8.