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Lansing resident’s nonprofit to host Truth and Reconciliation Summit

Monday, January 21, 2019, 8:00am–4:30pm

information provided by the Darren B. Easterling Center for Restorative Practices

CHICAGO, Ill. (January 5, 2019) – On Monday, January 21, 2019, the Darren B. Easterling Center for Restorative Practices (The Center) will host its second Truth and Reconciliation Summit from 8:00am to 4:30pm in the Skyline Conference Room of the Lawndale Christian Conference Center, 3750 West Ogden Avenue in Chicago. This day-long event, themed “Repairing the Harm—Breaking the Cycle,” is based on the model the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission implemented after the abolishment of apartheid.

Lisa D. Daniels (Photo provided)
Lansing resident Lisa D. Daniels is Founder and Executive Director of the Center, which is named after her son Darren, who was murdered in Park Forest in July 2012. The mission of the Darren B. Easterling Center for Restorative Practices is “to transform the individual behaviors we believe to be at the core of gun violence by offering trauma-centered recovery services to women and children impacted by the loss of a loved one as a result of violent crime as either a victim or an offender.” The Truth and Reconciliation Summit is one way the Center is offering transformation.

Daniels has great expectations for the Summit. “Offering a space where people can actually tell their stories and be heard is vital in communities where harm has been done,” she said. “From there, participants will have the opportunity to identify the hurt and describe what a particular experience did to them. Where did it leave them? Next steps include granting forgiveness and deciding whether they want to relinquish or restore the relationship. These are the best practices of South African apartheid healing that we will bring to Chicago.”

The North Lawndale community is consistently ranked as one of Chicago’s most dangerous and underserved areas of the city. Through the practice of forgiveness, the Center is hoping to give rise to both healing and reconciliation with survivors, perpetrators, and community leaders, in an environment that develops a sense of connectedness. The goal is to focus on moving the community forward by planting seeds to help heal its past.

There will be a panel discussion led by host and moderator Robin Robinson, Director of Community Affairs for the Chicago Police Department. Additionally, there will be an open apology segment for representatives of various public entities and community members to acknowledge their role in past wrongdoings that affected the health and wellbeing of the community, particularly of the youth.

The day will conclude with breakout discussions designed to help equip participants with the tools to incorporate forgiveness and healing into their lives.

The Summit is free of charge to all, and continental breakfast and lunch will be served.

For more information, contact Jessica Genova, Project Coordinator:

The Lawndale Christian Conference Center is located at 3750 West Ogden Avenue in Chicago, Illinois.

 

The Lansing Journal
The Lansing Journalhttps://thelansingjournal.com
The Lansing Journal publishes news releases from state, county, and local officials who provide information that impacts local community life. The particular contributor of each post is indicated in the byline.