Just Communities Arizona Presents the Just Safety Dialogues: A Vision for Holistic and Inclusive Community Safety

Three events feature representatives of national, AZ orgs pioneering innovative, community-led models for safety and wellbeing

Just Communities Arizona is excited to announce the Just Safety Dialogues, a series of three thought-provoking events taking place across the state. These dialogues aim to foster discussions on holistic and inclusive community safety by highlighting examples from around the US and here in Arizona. 

 

The Just Safety Dialogues series consists of three events this October to be held at each of Arizona’s state universities: University of Arizona, Arizona State University, and Northern Arizona University. 

 

Each event will feature a panel of representatives from national organizations as well as some from the host community (Tucson, Phoenix, Flagstaff) that are creating safety and wellbeing in their communities in new and creative ways. The models presented in the panels range in size and scope, from small, neighborhood-based efforts (community gardens) to evidence-based practices that have been replicated in multiple states (Trauma Recovery Centers). They include some fresh approaches to familiar interventions (transitional housing) as well as efforts to tackle emerging social challenges, such as the opioid epidemic and mass shootings. 

 

The aim of these events is to expand our definition of “safety” beyond preventing and responding to crime to include meeting basic human needs, bolstering economic security, addressing mental and behavioral health and wellness, and providing community cohesion and belonging. The panels will showcase the tremendous capacity of local communities to address their own needs.

Events

Where: University of Arizona
James E. Rogers School of Law, Rm 164
1201 E Speedway Blvd, Tucson
 
Host/Co-Sponsors: City of Tucson, National Lawyers Guild UA student Chapter
 
Opening remarks: Tucson Mayor Regina Romero
 
Panelists:
  • John Bauters, Arizona State Director for the Alliance for Safety and Justice, on Trauma Recovery Centers.
  • Danny Howe, founder of Earnest House and The Howe Project, on innovative approaches to transitional housing.
  • Jacob Robles, a founding member of Flowers & Bullets, on art, culture, and sustainability work in community.
  • TC Tolbert, Co-Founder of Building Out Safer Spaces (BOSS), on creating opportunity and community spaces for BIPOC and Women, Queer, Trans, and Femme of Center people.
Where: Arizona State University
Beus Center for Law and Society, W. P. Carey Foundation Armstrong Great Hall (BCLS 141). 111 E Taylor St, Phoenix
 
Panelists:
  • Danielle Sered, Executive Director of Common Justice, on their unique model of Restorative Justice that advances solutions to violence that transform the lives of those harmed without relying on incarceration.
  • James Brodick, Chief Program Officer with the Center for Court Innovation, on violence intervention and working in and with communities most impacted by crime. 
  • Darren Chapman, Founder and CEO of Tiger Mountain Foundation, on community gardens and native landscaping to eliminate blight and strengthen community.
  • Emma Viera, Executive Director of Unlimited Potential, on engaging neighborhood residents in promoting health and education equality.
Where: Northern Arizona University
SBS-Castro Building in Room 1105 E McConnell Dr, Flagstaff
 
Host/Co-Sponsors:  NAU Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice
 
Panelists: 
  • Mona Cadena, Director of Advocacy and Campaigns at EJUSA, on violence reduction strategies grounded in public health and healing, including community-based street outreach, violence interrupters, and hospital-based violence intervention.
  • Christina Delgado, SW Regional Advocacy Associate, Community Justice Action Fund, on addressing gun violence in Black and Brown communities.
  • Haley Coles, Executive Director, Sonoran Prevention Works, on harm reduction and working with people who use drugs to address overdoses. 

JCA is an Arizona-based nonprofit that works to create, foster, and resource new models for safety and justice outside the punishment system.