About Us

The Center for Restorative Justice (CRJ) is a non-profit, 501 (c)3 organization serving Bennington County, Vermont. For over 40 years, CRJ has been providing highly successful restorative justice programs, effective education, prevention resources, and valuable intervention services.

CRJ has adopted the Principles of Restorative Justice which guide us toward effectively supporting relationships rooted in justice and respect. We are committed to work in partnership with State and local government and the volunteers who represent our communities to provide support and accountability to all parties. We seek to hold ourselves accountable and move toward a justice system that brings dignity, safety and repair of harm for all.

Through CRJ’s community-based programs, individuals are given the opportunity to help themselves learn from their mistakes, gain new skills, make amends to their victims, give back to their community, and repair the harm they have caused. We offer a wide variety of support services and programming to meet the ever-changing needs of our clients and community.

1,447 Bennington County individuals were helped in 2023. View full Impact Report.

Over 1,600 individuals are served each year through CRJ’s programs. CRJ operates with a budget of nearly $1 Million, of which approximately 90% comes from State of Vermont grants and contracts.

CRJ is an active member of the Vermont Association of Court Diversion Programs and the Vermont Community Justice Network.

We receive funding from Vermont’s Department of Corrections, Department for Children and Families, and Attorney General’s Office. In addition, CRJ contracts with several schools throughout Bennington County and also receives funding support from towns, donations, and a variety of private grants.

Read out latest Impact Report