Reclaimed police funds could be distributed to shelters, rape crisis centers, mental health services and programs to combat sexual violence, experts say ... Community-driven responses to sexual violence like transformative justice offer some insight on how that might come to fruition. While there is no single definition, transformative justice could be broadly defined as a “framework that doesn’t depend on solving violence with another form of violence,” Johonna Turner, an assistant professor of restorative justice and peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University, said. ... read more about NBC News: Professor Johonna Turner on ‘defund the police’ movement and new paths to justice for sexual assault survivors from NBC News
In The News
Kate Szambecki on the current civil rights movement: ‘Passive before? Be active now.’
EMU student Kate Szambecki urges action now: 'We are living a civil rights movement right now — amplified by a pandemic as well as economic, mental health and health-care crises. You weren’t involved in the past? Now is your chance.' ... read more about Kate Szambecki on the current civil rights movement: ‘Passive before? Be active now.’ from The Mennonite World Review
John Paul Lederach on the power and pause of pandemic haiku
One thing haiku calls for, and what is often least found but most needed in times of war or its aftermath, is the ability to pause and be in the moment. Read more on the art of haiku and peacebuilding with poet John Paul Lederach, founding director of EMU's Center for Justice and Peacebuilding, ... read more about John Paul Lederach on the power and pause of pandemic haiku from Notre Dame
Nursing student Oluwatunmiki Afisi-Shokun on ‘Where true strength lies’
Oluwatunmiki Afisi-Shokun, a nursing student at EMU, writes about finding "strength in the denial of hatred" in this op-ed for The Mennonite. ... read more about Nursing student Oluwatunmiki Afisi-Shokun on ‘Where true strength lies’ from The Mennonite
Minnesota institute at ‘epicenter’ of training on racial restorative justice
Requests for training from Minnesota Peacebuilding Leadership Institute have skyrocketed since the death of George Floyd. Donna Minter, the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding's 2019 Peacebuilder of the Year, is the organization's founder and executive director. ... read more about Minnesota institute at ‘epicenter’ of training on racial restorative justice from Star Tribune
EMS to install solar panel array
Eastern Mennonite School has signed an agreement with Secure Futures Solar of Staunton to install and operate solar panels on its Harrisonburg campus. Together, solar arrays will generate a total capacity of 136 kilowatts of power, more than any solar power system installed at a K-12 school in Harrisonburg. ... read more about EMS to install solar panel array from Eastern Mennonite School
Nursing grad Kellie Thiessen ’95 to lead U of Manitoba’s new bachelor of midwifery program
As the University of Manitoba's College of Nursing gets ready to introduce its bachelor of midwifery program in September 2021, the program’s director, Kellie Thiessen '95, hopes to see change in how policy-makers approach the profession. She points to a need for better access to maternity care options in rural and remote Manitoba. And she hopes for greater recognition of the benefits of midwifery care, both to childbearing families and to an efficient health-care system. ... read more about Nursing grad Kellie Thiessen ’95 to lead U of Manitoba’s new bachelor of midwifery program from University of Manitoba Rady Health Sciences
WSVA interviews Sarah and Ben Bixler about Lincoln Homestead renovations
This July 1 interview features seminary professor Sarah Bixler and her husband Ben speaking on Lincoln Homestead renovations. ... read more about WSVA interviews Sarah and Ben Bixler about Lincoln Homestead renovations from WSVA
Sand dams in Kenya: translating past successes to address future challenges
Professor Doug Graber Neufeld, director of the Center for Sustainable Climate Solutions, and James Kanyari, food security field officer for MCC Kenya, look at the past and future of sand dams. ... read more about Sand dams in Kenya: translating past successes to address future challenges from MCC Intersections
Lincoln Homestead renovations begin, set to be complete in summer 2021
The Lincoln Homestead, owned by seminary professor Sarah Bixler and husband Ben, begins renovations. The Bixlers had to cancel a second open house that was scheduled, as well as a Juneteenth educational event, due to COVID-19. They are hoping to reschedule an open house for the fall and to do an event next June 19. ... read more about Lincoln Homestead renovations begin, set to be complete in summer 2021 from WHSV-3