Estes Valley Restorative Justice Partnership (EVRJP) has a variety of volunteer opportunities and is dependent on volunteers to run processes. Though some volunteer placements require extensive training and a particular skill set, most anyone can find a volunteer niche. Listed below are volunteer roles. Candidates interested in pursuing one or more volunteer opportunities with EVRJP can apply to volunteer.
Many of Estes Valley Restorative Justice Partnership's processes involve community members. Community members participating in Community Group Conferences participate in 1 meeting only, lasting 2-4 hours. Community members are also needed in Community Circles and Student Support and Accountability Circles. Both of these programs require attendance at weekly 1-hour meetings that meet from 6-12 months. No special training is required to participate. Community members who work long-term with juveniles will be required to submit fingerprints in addition to a criminal background check.
Community Group Conference facilitators are required to complete an initial 20 hour training with Estes Valley Restorative Justice Partnership to learn how to facilitate the Community Group Conference process. Once training and evaluations are completed, a mentoring process is followed to assist new facilitators in developing the needed experience in facilitating and to onboard newly trained volunteers. Monthly team meetings are held to educate and build skills. All facilitators must submit to and successfully pass a criminal background check.
Estes Valley Restorative Justice Partnership has two different circle processes that utilize Circle Keepers: Student Support and Accountability Circles (SSAC) and Community Circles. SSACs work with middle and high school students who could benefit from additional support during the school day. Community Circles work with with previously incarcerated individuals (re)integrating into the community. Circle Keepers help facilitate each circle and are participants in the process. Circle Keepers are encouraged, but not required, to go through Community Group Conference facilitator training. Completion of program-specific training is required, and offered as needed. All Circle Keepers must submit fingerprints and successfully complete initial and ongoing criminal background checks.
Girls Circle and The Council facilitators co-lead and implement programming in collaboration with the Estes Park R-3 School District at elementary, middle and high schools. A special training provided by One Circle Foundation is required for at least one of the two Circle/Council keepers who facilitate. Fingerprinting and successful completion of initial and ongoing criminal background checks are required. Circles and Councils are offered each semester.
Those who volunteer as mediators must possess a minimum 40-hour mediation training certification. Because of expense of this training, Estes Valley Restorative Justice Partnership only periodically offers this training. Those who possess the proper certification will be considered following successful completion of a criminal background check.
Estes Valley Restorative Justice Partnership (EVRJP) is a hybrid municipal/nonprofit organization within the Estes Park Police Department. A volunteer Board of Directors oversees the 501(c)(3) and helps to guide program development and funding. Annual fundraisers help build EVRJP's capacity to serve the entire Estes Valley. Volunteer assistance when planning and executing these events is welcome. No special training is required.