staff
Mel Motel, Executive Director
Mel joined the Brattleboro Community Justice Center as Director in August 2017 after fifteen years of work in Restorative Justice, social justice, and education. Mel is not new to the BCJC, however: she moved to Vermont in 2006 to help build the BCJC’s Restorative Reentry Program as an Americorps VISTA and then as the BCJC’s Reentry Program Coordinator. In 2013, Mel founded the Just Schools Project, where she worked with more than a thousand adults and youth in K-12 schools to implement restorative practices programs. She has also taught the Community and Restorative Justice course in the Community College of Vermont’s Criminal Justice Program.
Mel sees her work both at the BCJC and in her life outside of it as building restorative communities: where all people get what they need and where we ourselves have the skills to respond to and transform harm within our own relationships and communities. She also likes to spend time with her partner, friends, and dog; play sports of all kinds; and sing karaoke.
Mel sees her work both at the BCJC and in her life outside of it as building restorative communities: where all people get what they need and where we ourselves have the skills to respond to and transform harm within our own relationships and communities. She also likes to spend time with her partner, friends, and dog; play sports of all kinds; and sing karaoke.
Jackie Trepanier, Program Coordinator
“I believe that when given a conscious choice, most people prefer not to be in pain or to cause pain. However, life is sometimes harsh and confusing .We are all trying to meet our needs and we all make mistakes along the way. Compassion, safety, connection, understanding, reflection, and awareness are all things that allow us as people to grow and change. These are things that I hope to provide through my work at the BCJC.”
In her 20+ years working in the fields of conflict transformation, facilitation, and adult education, Jackie has found the presence of these qualities essential in supporting individuals to take responsibility for their choices. Jackie has served as the Program Coordinator at the BCJC since 2010 and manages the Restorative Justice Panel program, the pre-charge program known as Justice Alternatives, and has served as lead mediator. She is tremendously grateful for all she has learned and continues to learn by way of being and working with people. When not at work she loves to dance, garden, watch the clouds, and hang out with friends and family.
In her 20+ years working in the fields of conflict transformation, facilitation, and adult education, Jackie has found the presence of these qualities essential in supporting individuals to take responsibility for their choices. Jackie has served as the Program Coordinator at the BCJC since 2010 and manages the Restorative Justice Panel program, the pre-charge program known as Justice Alternatives, and has served as lead mediator. She is tremendously grateful for all she has learned and continues to learn by way of being and working with people. When not at work she loves to dance, garden, watch the clouds, and hang out with friends and family.
Marie-Pierre Py, Reentry Program Coordinator
Marie joined the Justice Center in October 2020 as the Re-Entry Coordinator. She believes that when a community comes together to care for all its members, it enriches all our lives. Marie began her career serving as a public defender in D.C. and Georgia where she worked on juvenile, felony and capital cases. She has trained public defenders in the West Bank and worked on habeas petitions for Death Row inmates while at the Habeas Resource Center in San Francisco.
She subsequently spent five years living at the San Francisco Zen Center, a residential Buddhist community, where she farmed and gardened in addition to participating in the community meditation schedule. While in San Francisco, Marie trained and volunteered with community mediation and restorative organizations including SEEDS Conflict Resolution Center, Community Boards, and WeAreStronghold. In her free time, Marie likes to make pottery, go on long hikes, and quilt.
She subsequently spent five years living at the San Francisco Zen Center, a residential Buddhist community, where she farmed and gardened in addition to participating in the community meditation schedule. While in San Francisco, Marie trained and volunteered with community mediation and restorative organizations including SEEDS Conflict Resolution Center, Community Boards, and WeAreStronghold. In her free time, Marie likes to make pottery, go on long hikes, and quilt.
Jonathan elwell, Servermont VISta
Jonathan graduated from Carleton College in 2019 with a degree in Political Science. During college he interned with the Greater Falls Community Justice Center and the Windham County State's Attorney's Office, as well as volunteering with Building a Positive Community and WSESD leadership training. After graduation, he lived in Minneapolis, interning with a renewable energy non-profit, working in a restaurant, and volunteering in mutual aid networks. He enjoys playing soccer, hiking, reading, and spending time with family and friends - and hopes to build a tiny house on wheels.
In Memoriam: Jim Cecere
Our Reentry Coordinator, Jim Cecere, passed away on September 18, 2019. Jim was a huge part of the BCJC Community for over 5 years. In addition to the formerly incarcerated community members who he worked with at BCJC, Jim touched the lives of countelss others through his work at VOC Rehab and in his personal life. He is missed by many BCJC clients, volunteers, and staff. We will always think of him.
