UTILIZES A COMMUNITY-BASED
VIOLENCE INTERVENTION STRATEGY
The Paterson Healing Collective (PHC) is the first Hospital-based Violence Intervention Program in Passaic County. The program was created in partnership with St. Joseph’s hospital to provide support and intervention for survivors of violence.
The Paterson Healing Collective (PHC) is a community- based violence intervention program created by a multi- agency partnership that encompasses St. Joseph’s Hospital, Reimagining Justice and the Health Coalition of Passaic County. It utilizes a community-based violence intervention strategy; operating from the framework that violence is a public health issue. PHC deploys Interventionists to mentor, provide referrals and victim services to those who are survivors of violence in the City of Paterson, NJ. PHC utilizes the strengths and connections of non-traditional, grassroots leaders (credible messengers who may have been justice involved, survivors of violence, former perpetrators of violence and community advocates) as mentors, supporting victims of violence between the ages of 12- 40 years old through a case management model.
Who We Are?
The Paterson Healing Collective team consists of case manager/interventionists, victim support specialists, advocates, hospital staff, mental health specialists and academics.
Dr. Liza Chowdhury
Project Director
Dr. Chowdhury is a scholar activist and yogi with several years of experience working in the field of community corrections and teaching in higher education. During her career as a Probation Officer, her passion was working with justice involved youth and partnering with local schools to create positive outcomes for the young people she supervised.
After her departure from the New Jersey Judiciary, she continued her passion of working with youth into her career as a academic by continuing to advocate for innovative, evidence based, trauma informed community based solutions and safe spaces for youth. She also is a certified Yoga Instructor and utilizes wellness practices in her work with the community and her students. As an expert in this field, she regularly volunteers with youth focused community organizations, consults with organizations that work with families, advocates for social justice and partners with credible messengers to develop innovative interventions for youth that are justice involved. Her main goal in life is to continue utilizing community partnerships, academic research, activism, healing practices and education to fight against inequality and injustice.
Presently, she teaches at Borough of Manhattan Community College (CUNY) within the Social Science, Human Services and Criminal Justice Department. Prior to her current appointment, she taught at Fairleigh Dickinson University and Rutgers University. She has experience in teaching both graduate and undergraduate courses that include Research Methods, Corrections, Gender Crime and Justice, Gangs and Street Crimes, Introduction to Criminal Justice, Contemporary Issues, Community Resource Management, Advanced Corrections, Race and Crime and Juveniles and Violence. She loves her students and believes that their achievements are her greatest rewards in life. One of her most meaningful experiences in teaching has been teaching students for the NJ STEP program inside correctional facilities. Presently, she advocates for continued opportunities for students inside correctional facilities around the country.
Dr. Chowdhury’s research interests are intersectionality, juvenile justice, gender and crime, mass incarceration, restorative justice, collective efficacy, prison infractions and punishment, racial disparity and the criminal justice system, and trauma focused violence interventions. In 2017, she co-founded a nonprofit entitled Reimagining Justice. Her partners and her provide training, motivational speaking, transformative mentoring, narrative therapy, consultation, resilience circles and support for organizations and community members that are looking to develop innovative solutions for youth in schools and the community. Reimagining Justice has partnered with organizations in Belize, Illinois, Virginia, NJ and NY in the first year of its incorporation. The goal of this organization is to reimagine a justice system that provides love, empathy, equality and opportunities for our communitie
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Teddie Martinez
Hospital based Violence Interventions Coordinator
Theodore Martinez, commonly known as Teddie is a campaigner against gun violence and advocate for returning citizens (ex-felons). Born and raised in the city of Paterson, Teddie has worked with communities across the city, state, and country, through organizations like Paterson’s Men Stand UP, Queens Life Camp Inc., Newark ‘s FP Youth OutCry Foundation and Reimagining Justice to eradicate violence.
Teddie works as the Hospital Violence Intervention (HVIP) Coordinator/Supervisor for Reimagining Justice HVIP program at Saint Joseph Hospital in Paterson, NJ.
In 1990, Teddie fell victim to a brutal gun assault where he was shot 11 times. It is that experience that motivates him to keep fighting to end the vicious cycle of violence that’s sweeping across America- not just in Paterson. To raise awareness of the ongoing violence in the city of Paterson, using Life Camps Inc theme ‘’BURY DA BEEF” Teddie collaborated with other community organization, City Officials, Pastors and Community members and organized a series of anti –violence rallies. In 2009, after witnessing a young man get murdered, Teddie co-created Project Change Anti- Violence Movement with Kenyatte Stewart a lawyer from Paterson NJ. Together they hosted anti- violence seminars and speaking engagements in the Paterson Public School system. In 2010, they organized a successful truce among local gang members in the city of Paterson that ended months of violence in the city. In 2012, Teddie Co-founded PROJECT RECONNECT a 501c3 nonprofit organization with his Barbara. In 2013, Teddie and Barbara created a documentary titled ‘’Death by Design” which addressed the cause, affect and cure to violence in the city of Paterson. Though his work with Project Reconnect, he was instrumental in organizing a truce in 2015 with city officials. Teddie also serves as mentor and life coach to men and woman of all ages.
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Casey Melvin
Assistant Director
Casey C. Melvin is native to the Great City of Paterson where he has lived, worked and thrivedfor his entire life. He is a business owner, and a passionate advocate. He has beenself-employed for more than twenty-four years. After completing cosmetology training at Wilfred Academy in 1990, Melvin opened the door to his barber shop, Kutt Creators, in 1994. Thebarbershop changed names in 1998 to Simply the Best Barbershop and was at the samelocation for more than twenty-five years.
Melvin shares his barbering experiences by regularly teaching courses to inmates at the Passaic County Jail. Barbering has allowed him to serve asa listening and oftentimes helpful ear for his clientele and, consequently, the community at large. In addition to serving his faithful clients and teaching, Melvin also serves his community bycreating opportunities and experiences for all ages. Most notably is The Day of the Babieswhich can now boast twenty-five years of celebration and dedication to children. Melvin hasbeen an active member of the B.R.O.T.H.E.R.S. of Paterson since it was created in 2002.Hiscommunity activism is unceasing. He is wherever there is a need. In 2018, Melvin identified aneed in the Paterson City Council and sought election to the Council-at- Large seat.
He is active in community organizations including The Paterson Street Keepers which he co-founded in 2001, and The Men Stand Up Anti-violence Initiative where he served as manager.
Both organizations address violence, provide resources and aim to bring peace in the streets.Other organizations include Team Charity, and BAND Against Neighborhood Destruction. As aparent, he has served as president of the PTO and as president of the Paterson Public SchoolsParent Leadership Alliance. He brings to the Paterson Healing Collective the full benefits of all the positive relationships that he has built over the years with people no matter their job title, level of education, or station in life. A quote that he lives by comes from Marcus Garvey, “I trust that you will so live today as to realize that you are masters of your own destiny, masters of yourfate; if there is anything you want in this world, it is for you to strike out with confidence and faith in self and reach for it.”
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Luis Gonzalez
Case Manager/ Interventionist
Luis Gonzalez is a native of the Dominican Republic but has been living in Paterson , NJ for the last 25 years. His previous encounters with the law made him an advocate for gun violence in the city. He strives for change and takes pride on being a leader and a mentor to the youth in his community. Luis is an example that people can change no matter of the label’s society gives you.
Jason R. Thompson
Case Manager/ Interventionist
When your kin to something, the message you bring adds a valuable, and often rare, perspective. Born and raised in the North Main area of Paterson, NJ, I’m all too familiar with the becoming a product of your environment; having the ambition to become more than what was surrounding me but not always having the proper mindset to see life’s longevity versus the day to day decisions that had to be made as a means of survival.
Being involved in violence intervention adds purpose to my past mistakes. While in prison for a violent crime, I helped other inmates understand their charge(s) and plea agreement(s), explained defensive strategies for pre-trial motions, and intentionally took the time to be a listening ear when they needed to reflect on what decisions led them to prison and how they’ll make different decisions upon their release.
Because of my criminal history and lifelong ties to North Main, I’m able to have real conversations with citizens in the community about what we’ve endured. I’m also able to be an example, to show them that there’s life beyond North Main and the energy applied towards criminal activity, it can be applied to saving our youth, starting a legitimate business, and changing what outsiders say/think about Paterson, NJ. Ultimately, my desire is to do my part in ensuring the safety of my children, family members and my community by using my connections, voice, and experiences to help clean up Paterson’s violence ridden neighborhoods and leading by the example as proof that the opportunity to live an honorable life free of crime, it’s available to all of us.
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Kiyon McKnight
Case Manager/ Interventionist
My inspirational quote is “Believe In Yourself”. I know its it’s an popular phrase, but this quote applies to my life on a personal level. I always thought my past and my struggles defined me, now those same challenges helped changed me.
No matter what walks of life we come from there is always a better way.
Jaclyn Marcella
Office Manager
Jaclyn Marcella attained her New Jersey State Social Work License in 2011 after graduating with her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Fordham University. Jaclyn’s experiences have encompassed a broad spectrum of clinical and community outreach practices.She spent seven years working in the New Jersey Children’s System of Care (CSOC), serving youth with behavioral/emotional health challenges and special needs and their families throughout Passaic County.
Within CSOC, Jaclyn worked in both the Children’s Mobile Response and Stabilization Services program and the Care Management Organization. Shehasprovided crisis intervention and care management services while working in collaboration with various systems such as the NJ Division of Child Protection and Permanency, the Division of Developmental Disabilities, probation/parole, school districts, community programs and clinical service providers. Currently, Jaclyn serves as a School Social Worker at Manchester Regional High School in Haledon, NJ. Jaclyn practices from a wraparound model of services and strength-based perspective. Through a trauma focused lens, Jaclyn uses active listening skills to meet youth and families where they are at and supports them to identify and then build upon their strengths. Jaclyn’s true passion is serving the community of Paterson. She has spent countless hours volunteering with various grass roots community organizations to help assist in planning community events and using her skills and understanding of systems to help these organizations reach their goals. Jaclyn is most proud of her work with Teens2bHeard, a nonprofit organization that teaches leadership, youth advocacy and peer support in the city of Paterson. Over the last seven years Jaclyn has mentored Teens2bHeard youth, supporting them in whatever they may need to reach their goals.
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Melanie Holmes
Victim Support Specialist
Melanie Holmes, a native of South Carolina, is proud resident of Passaic County, New Jersey. As founder and CEO of FLY Women’s Network, she upholds her organization’s mission of reducing the recidivism rate of women reentering society. By providing housing and other needs, Melanie maintains that those who have served time can be meaningfully reunited with their families via comprehensive services and collaborative initiatives.
Ms. Holmes has served over twenty-five years within the nonprofit sector and correctional facilities. She has been a women’s advocate and community liaison for over twenty years, with her keen attention given to trauma victims and their families.
At present, Ms. Holmes is the state liaison and resource specialist for New Jersey’s Women’s Corrections facility, reacclimating appropriate candidates back into their communities. While navigating resources for victims and ex-offenders, she also sees the importance of clear communication and teamwork when inspiring individuals who are transitioning from emotional crises and generational setbacks to make meaningful and productive choices. Through Melanie’s community involvement on the state, city, and federal level, her passion remains steadfastly focused on ensuring that marginalized people receive services and benefits in their time of need.
At present, Ms. Holmes is the state liaison and resource specialist for New Jersey’s Women’s Corrections facility, reacclimating appropriate candidates back into their communities. While navigating resources for victims and ex-offenders, she also sees the importance of clear communication and teamwork when inspiring individuals who are transitioning from emotional crises and generational setbacks to make meaningful and productive choices. Through Melanie’s community involvement on the state, city, and federal level, her passion remains steadfastly focused on ensuring that marginalized people receive services and benefits in their time of need.
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Cristina Barnes-Lee
Mental Health Specialist
Cristina Barnes-Lee was born and raised in Paterson, NJ. She attained her New Jersey State License in Social Work after graduating with her master’s degree in Social Work from Rutgers University in 2016. Cristina has focused her studies on trauma and its effects on the person and the community. She practices from a trauma focused lens and understands the importance of mental health and it’s effects on the individual, family and community at large.
Cristina has been actively working with youth and families in Paterson for over twenty years. Currently she provides in-home counseling services to youth living in Passaic County. In 2012, Cristina founded the 501c3 non-profit, Teens2BHeard. Teens2BHeard is an organization that teaches leadership, youth advocacy and peer support. Cristina sees community as second and at times first family for many youths in the city. She works day and night with youth and families to insight hope and motivation for success. Cristina is passionate about her work and will continue to be an advocate through promoting positive change and the destigmatization of mental health in our communities.
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Barbara Martinez
Data /Grant Manager
Barbara has been a part of the anti-violence movement since 2001, and currently works with Reimagining Justice as Data/Grant manager for the Paterson, NJ Hospital Violence Intervention Program (HVIP). As single mother, helping two sons grow into maturity and two daughters become women, Barbara witnessed the growing gang violence in the city of Paterson and was determined to make a difference, starting with her children.
As a result, Barbara started on a mission as community mom to embrace at risk youth with the hope of steering them down the right path. She also became an advocate after witnessing the brutal beating of her brother by the police.
Barbara has a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice w/concentration in Law and is in pursuit of her law degree. For over 25 years, Barbara has worked in Corporate America as a Manager/Supervisor, Case Manager and Trainer. In 2012, she and husband Teddie created a 501c3 non-profit organization known as Project Reconnect CDC. In 2013, Barbara helped to create a documentary titled “Death by Design’’ addressing the cause, affect and cure to end violence in the city of Paterson. In 2015, working behind the scenes she worked collaboratively with other community organizations to successfully bring rival gang members together for a gang truce. Barbara also served as Case Manager for the Passaic County Re-Entry Program (P.R.E.P) at Passaic County Jail. Barbara formerly worked as a NJ Ombudsman Volunteer Advocate for the Elderly and as a Team Responder for the Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT).
Barbara has a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice w/concentration in Law and is in pursuit of her law degree. For over 25 years, Barbara has worked in Corporate America as a Manager/Supervisor, Case Manager and Trainer. In 2012, she and husband Teddie created a 501c3 non-profit organization known as Project Reconnect CDC. In 2013, Barbara helped to create a documentary titled “Death by Design’’ addressing the cause, affect and cure to end violence in the city of Paterson. In 2015, working behind the scenes she worked collaboratively with other community organizations to successfully bring rival gang members together for a gang truce. Barbara also served as Case Manager for the Passaic County Re-Entry Program (P.R.E.P) at Passaic County Jail. Barbara formerly worked as a NJ Ombudsman Volunteer Advocate for the Elderly and as a Team Responder for the Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT).
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T. Rahshon.Dixon
Community safety planner/Interventionist
Rahshon Dixon currently serves as the Parks Department Supervisor for the Department of Public Works in the City of Paterson. A native of Paterson, New Jersey, Mr. Dixon is a concerned community member who has devoted his time to violence prevention and advocacy in the city. He is also a member of several grass roots organizations in the City of Paterson such as The B.R.O.T.H.E.R.S. of Paterson Inc., The POWER Coalition and The Village.
In addition to his commitment to the organizations, Mr. Dixon is also the founder of The Street Keepers, an organization focused on peaceful conflict resolution in the streets of Paterson to prevent gun violence. He is a graduate of Eastside High School and has since returned to his alma mater to speak to youth about the pitfalls of the streets, conflict resolution and decision making. Volunteer work has been Mr. Dixon’s passion for the last fifteen years. He has worked with the city’s most challenging youth as well as adults while trying to encourage “peace in the streets”. In summary, Rashon Dixon is a pillar of the Paterson Community. He has dedicated himself to be a resource to the community he serves. He has received multiple awards and has been recognized for his volunteer efforts by city leaders as well as the community at large. His commitment to them powerment of his community has been consistent and will continue to improve the landscape of his city.
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Quan Hargrove
Community safety planner/Interventionist
LaQuan Hargrove currently serves as the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) Coordinator & Case Expeditor for Passaic County’s Department of Human Services. A native of Newark, New Jersey, Mr. Hargrove is a concerned community member who has devoted his career to advocating for children and families who have come into contact with the Juvenile Justice System.
He is also a member of a number of grass roots organizations in the City of Paterson such as The B.R.O.T.H.E.R.S. of Paterson Inc., The Village as well as The Street Keepers. Hargrove is a graduate of East Orange High School and later the Pennsylvania State University. He has worked with the City’s most challenging youth in his current role as well as in previous positions at Great Falls Academy and the Paterson Youth Services Bureau. In short, Hargrove is dedicated to being a resource to the community he serves. His commitment to the empowerment of his community has been consistent and will continue to strengthen.
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Services Provided:
Mentoring Through Case Management Models:
Intervention Workers provide mentoring to youth and young adults ages 12-40 with achieving short term life goals.
High Risk Intervention (HRI):
Our interventionists respond to community based violence incidents based on information from the community. HRI connects those engaged in violence to supportive counseling, crisis intervention assessment, mediation, referrals and resource information in order to restore peace and avoid arrest and incarceration.
Hospital Violence Intervention Program (HVIP):
Our interventionists respond to community based violence incidents based on information from the community. HRI connects those engaged in violence to supportive counseling, crisis intervention assessment, mediation, referrals and resource information in order to restore peace and avoid arrest and incarceration.
Survivor of Violence Support Meeting:
Support Groups allow survivors of violence and the greater community to receive support from their peers. The group is facilitated by a Mental Health Specialist and case manager/ interventionists. SSG is a safe space where survivors find the freedom to share their experiences and begin their healing process.
Community Walks:
Each week, Paterson Healing Collective Intervention Workers perform community intervention walks in Hotspots to bring information about resources and services to the residents. Community Walks are also used to identify new mentees and to hear directly from residents about their needs.
The Paterson Healing Collective Violence Intervention Round Table:
The Paterson Healing Collective Violence Intervention Round Table is a community forum created to engage our community in looking at violence as a public health problem. This facilitated community dialogue seeks to partner with community members, activists, justice involved individuals, elected officials, service providers and faith-based organizations to come together and problem solve community-based issues. Through these dialogues, our hope is that we can come up with transformative and restorative solutions to violence.
Mentoring Through Case Management Model:
Intervention Workers provide mentoring to youth and young adults ages 12-30 with achieving short term life goals.
High Risk Intervention (HRI):
Our interventionists respond to community based violence incidents based on intelligence from the community. HRI connect those engaged in violence to supportive counseling, crisis intervention assessment, mediation, referrals and resource information in order to restore peace and avoid arrest and incarceration.
Hospital Violence Intervention Program (HVIP):
Our interventionists respond to community based violence incidents based on
information from the community. HRI connects those engaged in violence to supportive counseling, crisis intervention assessment, mediation, referrals and resource information in order to restore peace and avoid arrest and incarceration.
Survivor of Violence Support Meeting Survivor :
Support Groups allow survivors of violence and the greater community to receive support from their peers. The group is facilitated by a Mental Health Specialist and case manager/ interventionists. SSG is a safe space where survivors find the freedom to share their experiences and begin their healing process
Community Walks:
Each week, Paterson Healing Collective Intervention Workers perform community
intervention walks in Hotspots to bring information about resources and services to the residents. Community Walks are also used to identify new mentees and to hear directly from residents about their needs.
The Paterson Healing Collective Violence Intervention Round Table is a community forum created to engage our community in looking at violence as a public health problem. This facilitated community dialogue seeks to partner with community members, activists, justice involved individuals, elected officials, service providers and faith-based organizations to come together and problem solve community-based issues. Through these dialogues, our hope is that we can come up with transformative and restorative solutions to violence.
Mission Statement
Reimagining Justice is a 501 (c)(3) organization that advocates for creating healing centered justice responses, shifting to transformative justice paradigms for communities that are most impacted by structural violence, justice reinvestment in communities to create safe havens for youth, educational support for the socio-emotional needs of children and culturally appropriate mental health programs.
Note: Paterson Healing Collective HVIP Employees are employed under the umbrella Reimagining Justice Inc. (Company)
Outline
- Welcome
- Introduction of Presenters
- Introduction of St. Joseph’s Hospital Partners
- Paterson Healing Collective HVIP-What is it and what does it address?
- Facts about Individual Trauma-Systemic Trauma
- Transformative Justice-Restorative Justice-Public Health
- Towards Healing
- Employee Manual
- Training schedule for next week
- Onboarding documents
- Next Steps
- Conclusion
Presenters-Paterson Healing Collective Administrative Team
- Jason Davis-Co-Founder of Reimagining Justice
- Liza Chowdhury-Project Director-RJ/Paterson Healing Collective
- Casey Melvin-Assistant Director-RJ/Paterson Healing Collective
- Theodore Martinez-Hospital based Violence Intervention Coordinator-RJ/Paterson Healing Collective
- Barbara Martinez-Data Manager-RJ/Paterson Healing Collective
- Jaclyn Marcella-Office Manager-RJ/Paterson Healing Collective
- Tracy Evans- St. Joseph’s Hospital Trauma Program Manager/HVIP Director-Hospital
Facts About Trauma
Trauma Definition:
- Trauma is an emotional wound, resulting from a shocking event or multiple and repeated life threatening and/or extremely frightening experiences that may cause lasting negative effects on a person, disrupting the path of healthy physical, emotional, spiritual and intellectual development. National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)
- Individual trauma– results from an event, series of events, or set of circumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or threatening and that has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being… In short, trauma is the sum of the event, the experience, and the effect. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)-ACES FINDINGS
- Systemic Trauma- Systemic violence refers to institutional practices or procedures that adversely affect groups or individuals psychologically, mentally, culturally, economically, spiritually, or physically. In a school context, such violence is an unwanted interruption of the student’s learning process and the quest for full human potential. Structural violence refers to the kinds of harm that social structures in general may perpetrate upon individuals. In educational settings, the institution may cause new inequalities or reproduce previous inequalities held over from the student’s prior life or school experiences.
ACE Study Findings
- Adverse childhood experience highly significant relationship with depression, suicide attempts, alcoholism, drug abuse, sexual promiscuity, domestic violence, cigarette smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, STD’s.
- Also higher likelihood in developing heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, skeletal fractures, chronic pain and liver disease.
Philadelphia ACE FINDINGS
- Philadelphia, where roughly a quarter of residents live in poverty, researchers found that almost seven in ten adults had experienced one ACE and two in five had experienced four or more.
- The community-level indicators included witnessing violence, living in foster care, bullying, experiencing racism or discrimination, and feeling unsafe in your neighborhood. Researchers found that almost 40 percent of Philadelphians had experienced four or more of these expanded, community-level ACEs.
- What do you think the findings of a study like this would reveal about our Newark students Adverse Childhood Experiences?
Philadelphia ACE Study
- Much knowledge of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) relies on data predominantly collected from white, middle- / upper-middle-class participants and focuses on experiences within the home.
- Philadelphia ACE Project, members wondered if living in an urban area might bring particular stresses not covered in the original ACE study. In 2012 and 2013, members came together to develop the Philadelphia Expanded ACE Study to understand the impact of community-level adversities.
Trauma Related Symptoms
Internalizing
- Depression/Anxiety
- Social withdrawal
- Feelings of loneliness, guilt, low worth
- Sad, nervous, fearful
- Difficulty concentrating
- Changes in sleeping or eating patterns
- Unexplained physical symptoms, i.e., headaches and stomach aches, not due to a medical condition
Externalizing
- Conduct/Oppositional behaviors
- Physical aggression
- Destruction of property
- Substance use
- Running away from home
Contact
UPCOMING CONCERT
STEVE COLEMAN
On April 22, 2017 at 8:00pm, Steve Coleman and Five Elements will perform in a free concert at the Coolidge Auditorium – Thomas Jefferson Building 10 First Street SE, Washington, DC. Steve will perform a new work commissioned by the Library of Congress.
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