Advoz

If you’ve been harmed by crime—or have caused harm, the Center’s programs facilitate face-to-face meetings based on restorative justice practices and principles, specializing with youth. Programs increase accountability, build stronger communication skills, and help all involved to move on and repair the harm caused by violence and criminal violations. Operations serve those in Lancaster County and beyond.

Advoz provides three primary programs to the wider Lancaster County community and in conjunction with the juvenile and criminal justice system including: 

 
Conflict Mediation convenes dialogue to help people find common ground and positive outcomes in challenging life situations such as family transitions, custody and divorce, neighborhood and property disputes, end-of-life issues. Sessions are led by two trained volunteer co-mediators and generally last two hours to bring parties to resolution. In 2017-2018, the program served 192 people in 112 referrals with 48 volunteers. 

Restorative Justice Dialogue (also known as Victim Offender Conferencing) for those who’ve been harmed and those who’ve harmed another(s). The process addresses the aftermath of violence/crime and the needs of everyone involved, through face-to-face dialogue with a trained volunteer facilitator. 90% of participants report relief and high satisfaction with the process (both “victims” and “offenders”). Fewer than 13% of these participants were found breaking the law again. The program served 470 in 2017-2018. 

Education and Training develops facilitation leadership, skills and knowledge in youth and adults to build community and address harm and conflict in their own schools, communities and businesses. Programs include Making Peace parent-youth workshops, Restorative Schools discipline and practices, Basic Mediation and Restorative Justice trainings and more. In 2017-2018, the program served 247 people in 23 sessions with 8 volunteers.