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Parallel Justice Commission 

NOTE: the following is in reference to the state-wide commission, not the Burlington Community Justice Center's own Parallel Justice Program. View that page here. 

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Parallel Justice Commission

Burlington's Parallel Justice Commission is a panel of local and state leaders, victim advocates, survivors of crime, social service and health care providers, and other organizations whose work intersects with victims of crime. Through their partnership, the Commission works to coordinate resources and create systemic change for people impacted by crime and harm. 

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The Charge of the Burlington Parallel Justice Commission is to:

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  • Seek out and listen to victims’ experiences;

  • Identify challenges and successes to affect change to policies, procedures, and processes within their own organizations;

  • Work together to improve inter‐agency relationships, connections, and collaborations;

  • Function as a multi‐disciplinary team to address barriers and improve results for victims;

  • Advocate for victims’ rights;

  • Improve access to victim services and community resources.

​Parallel Justice Commissioners

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  • Omara Rivera-Vazquez – Grants Manager, VT Center for Crime Victim Services

  • Barbara Rachelson – Vermont State Representative for Chittenden County

  • Erika Smart – Assistant General Counsel, University of Vermont Medical Center

  • Danielle Levesque – Victim Services Specialist, VT Dept. of Corrections

  • Heather Danis – Health Services District Director, Burlington Office, Vermont Department of Health

  • Kerri Duquette-Hoffman – Field Director, Agency of Human Services

  • Joe Speidel – Local Government and Community Relations Director, University Relations, University of Vermont

  • Mike Bensel – Executive Director, Pride Center of Vermont

  • Acting Chief Jon Murad – Burlington Police Department

  • Karen Burns – Victim Advocate, Chittenden County State’s Attorney’s Office

  • Sarah George – Chittenden County State’s Attorney

  • Sarah Robinson – Deputy Director, Vermont Network Against Sexual and Domestic Violence

  • Natania Carter, Interim Executive Director, HOPE Works

  • Nicole Kubon, Executive Director, Steps to End Domestic Violence

  • Jeffrey McKee– CEO, Community Health Centers of Burlington

  • Jill Evans, Director, Essex Community Justice Center 

  • Josef Lavanway, Director, South Burlington Community Justice Center

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