Community Pathways: The Blueprint for Restorative Justice

About This Event

Step into a groundbreaking statewide convening that is shifting the paradigm of public safety and healing across the Commonwealth. Hosted by Survivors4Justice Reform Virginia (S4JR-VA) in partnership with the Center for Crime, Equity, and Justice Research & Policy at Christopher Newport University, Bending the Bars, and The Life Unit Inc., Community Pathways: The Blueprint for Restorative Justice brings together global experts, survivor advocates, lawmakers, and community leaders to showcase trauma-informed alternatives to cold, carceral defaults.

Whether you are a survivor, student, policy champion, returning citizen, or community member, this symposium offers a visionary space to discover how active accountability, survivor autonomy, and community restoration create real safety.

Event Details

• Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026

• Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM EST

• Location: Christopher Newport University, Newport News, VA

• Admission: $20.00 & Open to the Public (Registration Required)

What Makes This Event Special

• Global Keynote Address: Hear from Marlee Liss, internationally recognized Restorative Justice practitioner, author, and founder of S4JR, whose landmark case became the first in North America to end in court-sanctioned restorative justice for sexual assault.

• Academic & Statistical Foundation: Gain insights from Dr. Steven Keener, Director of the Center for Crime, Equity, and Justice Research & Policy at CNU.

• Survivor & Community Panel: Engaging discussions moderated by S4JR-VA State Representative Fatimah Muwahhid, featuring direct perspectives on survivor agency, somatic healing, and non-carceral pathways.

• VADOC T-Shirt Design Contest & Gallery: Experience a powerful exhibition featuring original artwork submitted by incarcerated artists from three Virginia Department of Corrections facilities, highlighting humanity and creative expression behind bars.

• Immersive "Mock Cell" Installation: Walk through a full-scale cell display presented by Christopher Willars (The Life Unit Inc.) to witness the reality of carceral isolation firsthand.

• Legislative Leadership Spotlight: Hear directly from state lawmakers, including Senator Mike Jones, on key legislative initiatives supporting survivor rights and community pathways.

Why You Should Attend

For far too long, public safety conversations have been forced into a false binary between punitive defaults and passive silence. This event equips you with actionable knowledge, trauma-informed resources, and a connected network to advocate for survivor-centered solutions.

Reserve your spot today to help build a safer, more compassionate Virginia!