Advisory Board | Burlington Community Justice Center

Community Advisory Board

Mary McClements

Get to know Mary

Mary McClements began her career journey in the 1990’s working at a group home for boys, as an artist, art teacher and art school owner. Through these adventures Mary learned that she most enjoyed working with youth who struggle with social/emotional challenges. This eventually led to her work as a special education transition counselor at a VT public high school and then onto similar work at the Community College of Vermont. Mary eventually landed at UVM where she was the Coordinator of Student Employment for 6 years. After assisting so many over the years with career and life transitions, Mary made it official in 2019 by completing her coursework with the ICF and is now a certified life and transition coach (she prefers: 'Evolution Engineer’) using her passions in movement and visual arts with her clients. Mary’s hold's professional certificates in Mental Health First Aid and Mindfulness Leadership, was a member of HOPE Works Advisory Board and of the VT state Restorative Justice Study Team looking at the possibilities of RJ as an option for victims of sexual and domestic violence, and is currently an RJ panel member for the Burlington CJC. Mary also is honored to be the part time Victim Liaison at the South Burlington Community Justice Center and is currently an RJ panel member for the Burlington CJC. She has lived in 3 countries, has 2 dogs, and 2 amazing teens

who clearly think she’s really cool.

Sparks

Get to know Sparks

Sparks is currently the Director of Equity and Safe Inclusive Schools for the Burlington School District (BSD). In this role, he is leading the effort to implement Restorative Practices District-wide, as well as supporting the BSD’s Equity Plan and related goals. Sparks is also responsible for directing the work of BSD’s Designated Employees, who are responsible for responding to incidents of bullying, hazing, and harassment. In his work, he focuses primarily on supporting all students and families, especially those from marginalized or non-dominant linguistic, racial, socio-economic, and ethnic groups. In addition, he supports building administrators with conflict resolution

and other management issues. Sparks also works with teachers and other BSD employees.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and a Masters degree in

Community and Economic Development from

Southern New Hampshire University.

Randall Harp

Get to know Randall

Randall Harp is an associate professor in the department of philosophy at the University of Vermont, where he has been since 2007. Some of his research interests include the philosophy of the behavioral and social sciences, collective action, social metaphysics, data and technology ethics, and the ethics of punishment and criminal justice, and policing.

Randall served on the Burlington Police Commission from 2018 through 2021 and was the chair of the Committee to Reform Policing Policies in Burlington from 2019 to 2020.

Regina Mahony

Get to know Regina

Regina Mahony is the Planning Program Manager for the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC) where she has worked since 2011. At CCRPC, Regina assists the Executive Director in managing and implementing the CCRPC’s planning program including water quality, energy planning, emergency management, housing and land use. Regina uses her municipal planning experience to help member municipalities and regional partners with housing programs, land use training, comprehensive planning, drafting bylaws, and development review. Regina also coordinates the organization’s Regional Planning efforts through implementation

and updates of the ECOS Plan.

Outside of work, Regina volunteers at the Burlington Dismas House, Burlington Restorative Justice Panels,

and is Chair of the Community Advisory Board for

the Burlington Community Justice Center.

Regina and her husband reside in Burlington where they’ve successfully transitioned to a one car household, and happily use the cost savings for travel. Regina is most proud of finishing the Long Trail in 2018.

Francis Manga

Get to know Francis

Abijah Francis Manga is a doctorate candidate at the University of Vermont. He is doing his Doctorate degree in Education at the Department of Leadership and Policy Studies. Francis owns a small business called Loving Home Care (www.lovinghomecare.net) that takes care of elderly and inbound people. He is currently a MHFA Trainer and worked for AALV (the Association of Africans Living in Vermont) as a Youth Program Coordinator. Prior to joining AALV, he worked at CVOEO as the Fair Housing Project’s Outreach and Coordination Specialist. Before that, he worked at the Congolese Prime Minister’s office as a Foreign Affairs Expert. Moreover, he is a

passionate teacher and taught in a high school

for more than five years.

Francis holds a master’s degree in Public Management and Development Policy from South Korea and has another master's degree in Education with a TESOL major.

He believes in integrating modern values

with traditional beliefs.

Phil Hammerslough

Get to know Phil

Phil Hammerslough has been a volunteer with the Circle of Support and Accountability (COSA) program for over five years, and has been able to draw upon his backgrounds in education, substance abuse counseling, business and job development for people with visual disabilities.

He has played a key role in the rehabilitation of a “student neighborhood”, as one of the founders of ISGOOD (Isham Street Gardening and other Optimistic Doings). ISGOOD worked with City and University organizations to reduce noise and vandalism, as well as create a sense of neighborhood and community.

He served as an alternate on the Burlington Design Advisory Board and brought an understanding of universal design and accommodations for mobility for people with disabilities. He championed the need to reduce parking issues by adding secure bike parking facilities at commercial and multi-unit housing developments, as well as creating better walking infrastructure and better access to public transit.

Ken Schatz is currently retired after serving as the Commissioner of the Vermont Department for Children and Families. Prior to that, Ken served in the City of Burlington’s City Attorney Office. During his tenure there, he helped create the Burlington Community Justice Center.

Ken graduated from the University of Vermont and Cornell Law School.