Volunteers who commit to sitting on a hearing board once a month often find the process so interesting and meaningful that they decide to sit on more than one board!

Unlike many volunteer opportunities, this one is a truly essential part of our program, enabling us to offer offenders in the Upper Valley a restorative justice model to repair the harm done by their offense.

Board members generally arrive at the community venue one evening a month, to listen to the VCDP facilitator present the criminal case referrals, meet one at a time with the offenders, (and their parents, if a juvenile) and to craft a Diversion contract that is meaningful but achievable.

We greatly value the diversity of our Upper Valley communities and encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to join our boards. You only need the ability to listen empathetically to people who are struggling with a variety of issues. Your life experience will enrich the process for our participants.

Volunteers must agree to a background check. We offer volunteer trainings that cover a variety of relevant areas at least twice a year.