Turning to Each Other

LIVING IN A TIME OF PANDEMIC, global unrest, climate change and racial injustices, our network of CJP alumni can be a strong source of sustenance, wisdom and life-giving connection. We’re growing our digital and virtual capacities to foster shared visions, mutual community, and radical change. Hear these contributors and participants:

"It was terrific sharing ideas with peacebuilders globally. Racism is structural and systemic. For us, as peacebuilders, we feel that we are immune to the situation, but the reality is that we carry our bias which might influence us. Recalling the concept of white fragility, it is easy not to acknowledge or appreciate our role in the situation. The discussion was an excellent tool for selfreflection on our role in the scheme of things!"

COLINS IMOH MA '12 teaches in the criminal justice department at California State University, Sacramento. "We wanted to create a virtual space where alumni could show up, across geographies and professions, with all of the joy and messiness of today’s world. As the gathering unfolded, I watched faces light up with the sheer delight of seeing beloved classmates and professors. I have no doubt that the (re)connections that were sparked will continue to ripple out in unexpected and beautiful ways."

BRIDGET MULLINS MA '15 is a facilitation and process design consultant in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

"I imagine that, together, we can do more than we can do separately, and it's a way of really helping to bring forth more of the world that we're wanting to create."

CATHERINE BARNES teaches strategic peacebuilding and public policy at CJP.

"As we were designing this process, I kept thinking, 'If we can't be together, what better way to celebrate the CJP 25th anniversary during a pandemic combined with a global uprising against racist systems than gathering to learn from each other. The wisdom is in the community! Let's tap into it.'"

JAYNE DOCHERTY is the executive director of CJP.

"Graduates of CJP seem to have a shared language that makes any engagement with alumni refreshing and reinforcing – it reminds me that there are so many practitioners doing great work. The Open Space process gave me the chance to engage in some critical questions around RJ that my colleagues are encountering too. It was invaluable."

AARON ERB MA '15 is a school-based restorative practice coordinator at the University of Pittsburgh.

ILLUSTRATION BY RANDI B. HAGI '14

"The pandemic was and is hard for all of us in different ways. For myself, I would have been completely lost without the CJP community. It looked different online, but I am so grateful for the opportunity to work in these relationships.

LINDSAY ACKER MA ‘21 CJP Community Building Coordinator, took on the challenge of building and sustaining community in the online world for all of 2020, including SPI 2020, and spring semester 2021. Lindsay now works with the Erie County Restorative Justice Coalition in Pennsylvania, where she did her practicum.

We have over 600 alumni working all over the world.

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