VAVA: Strengthening our Community in Response to Crime

Mediation Works' Director of Restorative Justice Programs Cara Walsh asks:

Are you interested in participating in a collaborative and inclusive justice process? Would you like to respond to harm in your community in a way that builds understanding, encourages accountability, and provides an opportunity for healing?

The Victim Assistance, Youth Accountability (VAYA) program is a locally-based, community response to crime that focuses on addressing and repairing the harm done to people and relationships.

VAYA is rooted in the principles of restorative justice - which recognizes that crime creates harm, and that in order to right that harm, it is our common responsibility to work toward addressing the needs of the victims, offenders, and the community. This innovative program is based on the values of respect, interconnectedness, responsibility, accountability, empowerment, listening, dialogue, curiosity, empowerment, and healing.

VAYA acts to address the individual needs of victims, encourages and expects youth to be accountable for their actions, and helps youth connect with a community support system that will reduce recidivism, encourage personal responsibility, and integrate them into the community as positive, contributing citizens. In partnership with the Juvenile Division of Jackson County Community Justice, Mediation Works executes VAYA once a month, year round, through the delivery of a 6 day curriculum for youth offenders, structured support, and when appropriate, a dialogue between the youth and their victims.

For more information contact Cara Walsh at 541-770-2468 x305, caraw@mediation-works.org.

United Way's 15th Annual Day of Caring

United Way Campaign Cabinet Prepares for the Day of Caring

300 volunteers grabbed shovels, paint brushes, ladders and gardening shears to clean up various community buildings in the Rogue Valley for United Way's 15th annual Day of Caring.

The work sites and volunteer groups included:
• Ashland Supportive Housing, 1610 Clark Ave., Ashland, where volunteers from the Southern Oregon Society of CPAs and St. Mary's School stained a fence.

• Easter Seals, 809 W. McAndrews St., Medford, where Rogue Federal Credit Union volunteers provided landscaping work and painting.

• Head Start, 409 Fourth St., Phoenix, where John L. Scott Real Estate, Earth Angels and the United Way's Women's Leadership Council painted the exterior of the Head Start building.

• Living Opportunities, 808 Bennett St., Medford, where landscaping was done by US Bank and Providence Medford Medical Center volunteers.

• OnTrack, 1107 Stevens St., Medford, where volunteers from Providence Medford Medical Center and Wells Fargo built and stained fences.

• Siskiyou Challenge multi-sport relay in Ashland, a benefit for Rogue Valley Farm to School, where volunteers from the Medford Active 20/30 Club and Target were on the scene, monitoring intersections for runners, preparing food and providing first aid.

• Roots and Wings Child Development, 1801 E. Jackson St., Medford, where volunteers from After 5 Rotary and the Rogue Creamery did painting and landscaping work.

The Day of Caring, Jackson County's busiest volunteer day, coincides with the kickoff of the fall United Way fundraising drive. The organization hopes to collect $875,000.

For more information about volunteer opportunities and to make a donation contact the United Way at www.unitedwayofjacksoncounty.org

Locavores THRIVE with the Eat Local Challenge 2010

Take Thrive's 2010 Eat Local Challenge September 10 - 19! Sign the pledge on the Thrive website to become a Locavore and enjoy the delicious bounty of locally-grown food in the Rogue Valley.

Your Eat Local Challenge choices include:

Locavore Supreme- All foods that you consume during the week will be grown, raised or produced within 200 miles (you even agree to give up coffee, chocolate and non-local spices)

Locavore- All foods that you consume during the week will be grown, raised or produced within 200 miles (but you’ll still want your coffee, chocolate and non-local spices)

Taster- All foods that you consume during one meal per day throughout the week will be grown, raised or produced within 200 miles

Sampler- All foods that you consume during two meals throughout the week will be grown, raised or produced within 200 miles

All Participants will receive the following:
• Comprehensive Local Food Directory
• Weekly Local Food Menu Plan
• Local Food Recipes
• Eat Local Week Calendar of Events
• 2010-11 Rogue Flavor Guide
• You will be entered in a Drawing for a Rogue Flavor local food basket


To take the Pledge visit http://www.buylocalrogue.org/