Submited by Communities for Restorative Justice
Erin Freeborn, J.D., M.Div, has been named the executive director of Communities for Restorative Justice (C4RJ), a community-police partnership that offers restorative justice to those affected by crime. Freeborn, an attorney, most recently co-founded and served as executive director of Juvenile Court Restorative Justice Diversion, Inc. (JCRJD), a successful restorative justice diversion program headquartered in Lowell, Massachusetts.
Freeborn fills the vacancy created by long-time Executive Director Jennifer Larson Sawin’s retirement. Erin brings to the post a decade of study and experience in both the practice of restorative justice and nonprofit leadership.
“It is an honor to work with an organization so dedicated to the practice and expansion of restorative justice in the communities of this commonwealth,” said Freeborn. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to join C4RJ and to build upon the successful work of Jennifer and the many wonderful volunteers and partners of this program.”
Freeborn received her law degree from Northeastern University, where she focused on restorative justice. While studying and training in New Zealand, Freeborn was a contributing author on a restorative justice study funded by the Ministry of Justice. She has worked closely with C4RJ on the Massachusetts legislation that promotes restorative justice and has gained much support from legislators and the law enforcement community.
“Erin’s skills are ideal for C4RJ as we work to use restorative justice principles to address crime and harm in our communities,” said Board Chair Lauren Rosenzweig Morton. “We are at an exciting turning point, when restorative justice is becoming a more recognized process for addressing crimes and harms in a manner that helps stakeholders move forward in healthy ways.”
C4RJ works with police departments in 12 Massachusetts communities, Acton, Arlington, Bedford, Boxborough, Cambridge, Carlisle, Concord, Groton, Lexington, Littleton, Stow, and Wellesley. The organization also accepts referrals from the courts. Using a restorative circle process, the organization brings together those responsible for crime and harm with those affected in order to bring about as much healing as possible.
Christy Barbee, who has served as acting executive director of C4RJ for the past six months and for the previous six years as chief case coordinator, will serve now as program director for C4RJ, working with volunteer case workers and police partners and continuing to develop C4RJ’s program for restorative practices in schools.
For more information about restorative justice and C4RJ, visit www.c4rj.com.
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