Mission Statement:
The Restorative Justice Program is committed to enhancing the existing criminal justice system by incorporating restorative justice principles in effort to develop community safety and connectedness. The restorative justice approach will focus on building a community that discourages crime, restores victims, and promotes offender accountability through the use of restorative focused interventions.

About ECCRJP

In January of 2001, the Eau Claire County Department of Corrections formed a Community Action Board to identify areas of concern within the criminal justice system and affecting the community. A subcommittee was formed to explore the concept of Restorative Justice as an alternative to the more traditional response to crime, with particular focus on juvenile offenders. This subcommittee was the driving force behind seeking community support and subsequently a funding source to create and implement a Restorative Justice Program in Eau Claire County. A community education forum was held on May 8, 2001 which resulted in the recruitment of a larger core group of individuals from within the legal system and the community and the creation of a Community Action Team. The Eau Claire Judiciary took a lead role in supporting the initiative. A grant application to the Wisconsin Office of Justice Assistance (OJA) secured a funding award in December 2001 to implement the start of the Eau Claire County Restorative Justice Program. A partnership with Goodwill Industries of North Central Wisconsin, Inc. supports office space and employment of staff and acts as the fiscal agent for program funds. An Advisory Board provides program oversight and direction.

The RJ Program has secured additional funding through two additional grant sources, United Way of Eau Claire and the Otto Bremer Foundation and continues to seek funding sources for program support and expansion. Our programming will expand as the need continues to evolve in Eau Claire County to maintain as a responsive program that addresses the needs of victims and offenders.