Healing Harms:
Healing Harms is CCEJ’s conflict transformation team. Healing Harms works with communities across Southern California to create more humane and just ways for people in serious conflict to find change, accountability and healing.
Through our four core programs – Restorative Youth Diversion (RYD), Families Restoring Relationships (FRR), Strengthening Communities & Organizations through Restorative Engagement (SCORE), and Restorative Responses to Conflict & Crisis (RRCC), Healing Harms staff and volunteers offer restorative models and alternatives to traditional approaches of conflict resolution across Southern California.
All Healing 
Harms programs are anchored in Restorative Justice philosophy and practices. Focusing on the importance of relationships to help bring about healing and transformation in conflicts, Healing Harms brings together the people who are responsible and those who are impacted to address the harm caused and create agreements to build meaningful justice. Healing Harms brings these Restorative Justice values and practices to partners in institutional systems, nonprofit organizations, coalitions, families, and communities.
Healing Harms in the era of COVID-19
During social distancing measures due to Coronavirus, CCEJ continues to offer online trainings, workshops, and dialogue opportunities for youth and adults on Restorative Justice Practices and conflict mediation. Click here to see a list of our online program offerings.
CCEJ’s staff is working remotely to offer all services listed below.
Restorative Youth Diversion (RYD): Restorative Justice diversion program offered as an alternative to the juvenile justice system for youth 17 and under that have been charged with a crime and those who were harmed by that action. RYD provides youth with intensive case management over multiple sessions, supporting them in reaching a number of key goals -understanding the reasons for their harmful actions and the negative impact they have caused, planning for future success, and practicing accountability to the people they harmed. CCEJ partners with a wide range of referring legal agencies including police departments and district attorney offices. To learn more about RYD or refer a case, please contact Healing Harms Program Coordinator Alejandro Haezaert-House, M.A., ahaezaertATcacej.org or 562.435.8184
Families Restoring Relationships: Restorative Justice circle process designed for addressing conflicts and collaboratively creating agreements in personal bonds in all kinds of family, friendship, peer, or other important relationships. Families and individuals are supported through a multiple phase process that provides opportunities for meaningful healing for all participants involved in conflict. Process takes an approximate 10 – 16 hours over a period of time. To learn more about FRR or access services please contact Healing Harms Program Coordinator Alejandro Haezaert-House, M.A., ahaezaertATcacej.org or 562.435.8184
Strengthening Communities & Organizations through Restorative Engagement (SCORE): Confidential and customized conflict resolution process for workplaces and communities navigating challenging issues around conflict in: interpersonal relationships, supervisor/supervisee, work performance, social identities and protected classes, and external partners. CCEJ staff have assisted nonprofit organizations, volunteer groups, community coalitions, foundations, and businesses through SCORE. To learn more about SCORE or access services please contact Director of Healing Harms Vanessa Michelle Petti, M.S., vpettiATcacej.org or 562.435.8184
Restorative Responses to Conflicts & Crisis (RRCC): Trained CCEJ staff and volunteers rapidly mobilize to support communities experiencing conflicts in crisis situations, especially around identities and structural oppression. Drawing on trauma–informed practices, Restorative Justice, and community safety planning, Healing Harms can support schools, workplaces, communities, and government agencies facing conflict in crisis situations. To learn more about RCCC or access services please contact Director of Healing Harms Vanessa Michelle Petti, M.S., vpettiATcacej.org or 562.435.8184
Communities We Serve:
CCEJ offers services to a wide range of communities, families, organizations, and individuals. CCEJ is a contractor for the Los Angeles County Dispute Resolution program coordinated by the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations (LACCHR). Currently, Healing Harms primarily provides conflict resolution services to Los Angeles County, with a focus in the communities of East Los Angeles, South Los Angeles, Compton, Long Beach, San Pedro and Wilmington. CCEJ works to provide its program at low-cost or sliding scale upon request.
Key Team Members:
- Vanessa Michelle Petti, M.S., Director of Healing Harms
- Alejandro Haezaert-House, M.A., Healing Harms Program Coordinator
- Becky (Bex) Montes, M.S.W., Restorative Justice Specialist
- Daniel Solís, Associate Executive Director