Welcome to Circles of Peace!

History of the Organization
In 2004, Judge Mary Helen Maley (Santa Cruz County Justice Court), in collaboration with Dr. Linda Mills (New York University’s Center on Violence and Recovery), decided to develop a program that would meet the needs of underserved family violence victims in Santa Cruz County in a holistic, culturally sensitive manner. Maley convened a diverse group of fifty community leaders from law enforcement, health and social services and faith based communities to craft a program. The result was the establishment of Circles of Peace. Since then, Circles of Peace has been successfully treating families affected by domestic violence as well as mobilizing the community into action around this issue. Circles of Peace now represents a model for discussion and replication across the nation. The Center on Violence and Recovery at New York University was awarded a grant in 2004 by the National Science Foundation to study the Circles of Peace program in comparison to the local Batterers Intervention Programs. The results of this study will be released in the spring of 2008.
What we do
Circles of Peace is one of the first domestic violence treatment and prevention programs that uses a restorative justice circle approach to reduce violent behavior in families. The program consists of 26-52 weeks of conferences, or Circles, that bring the abusing person together with their families (including the victims, if they choose to participate) as well as trained professional facilitators and community volunteers in order to encourage dialogue and goal-oriented change. Someone who is close to the family is identified to help monitor the safety of the victim throughout the weeks of treatment. The Mission of Circles of Peace is to offer innovative treatment options that contribute to ending the cycle of abuse for individuals, families and communities. As a social justice organization, Circles of Peace is committed to advancing a holistic and culturally sensitive approach to treating domestic violence locally, nationally and internationally. Circles of Peace is an Arizona Department of Health licensed domestic violence treatment provider and a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Staff and Board
Staff
Juanita Molina is the Executive Director of Circles of Peace. She is a Latina activist and committed service provider who has worked in San Francisco and Southern Arizona in the field of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Immigrant Rights, LGBTQ Communities and HIV Services for more than 16 years. She has endeavored to promote program development in the anti-violence movement and has specialized working with marginalized groups not served by traditional means. In 2001 she was elected as a regional representative for California Coalition Against Sexual Assault and was elected to two terms, during which she successfully advocated for Rape Crisis Centers throughout California. Juanita continues to find solutions to stereotypes that perpetuate violence in our society. Blanca Acosta is a circle keeper at Circles of Peace; she has been working in the Social work field since 1999, serving as a Health Promoter in different programs that provides education, training and advocacy for low income families; also worked as a facilitator for the non-violence program for more than two years. Her main interest it is prevents the domestic violence in order to strength individuals, families and community. Blanca also works for Child Parent Centers: Head Start as Health and Nutrition Specialist for almost 4 year, she born in Mexico living in Arizona for 19 years, married with three teenagers. Working towards to get a Bachelors degree in Human Services.	Zarina Hernandez is a Circle Keeper at Circles of Peace. Zarina has been conducting Circles since September of 2007. She has a Bachelor's degree in Human Services from the University of Phoenix and an Associates degree in Early Childhood Education from Central Arizona College. Zarina is also a teacher and has worked for Child Parent Centers: Head Start for almost 15 years. Zarina is a native of Nogales, Arizona, married with three children. Monica R. Pansza is a Circle Keeper at Circles of Peace. She was born in Mexico City. She recieved a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology at Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico. She has been living in Arizona for the past 18 years and working in the Mental Health and Child Development fields for the past 8 years. She has been working as a Circle Keeper since November 2007 and enjoys it very much.
Board
Juanita Molina (Executive Director) Rev. Lucie Thomas (Vice President) John Anthony Sedgwick (Secretary/Treasurer) Lee Ann Ayers Lourdes Paez-Badii Adeline Cripe Patricia Thomas	Ex-Officio members Judge Mary Helen Maley (Founder) Dr. Linda Mills (Founder)
News/Events
Circles of Peace has been chosen as one of Harvard Kennedy School's Ash Institute Top 50 Innovation in Government! considered the nation's premier public sector honor, the innovations in American Government Awards program is annual award that recognizes exemplary models of innovative government in all domestic policy areas. Specifically, Circles of Peace is one of eight semi-finalists for the Annie E. Casey Innovations Award specifically for children and Family System Reform. The 2008 winner will receive a $100,000 award toward replication and dissemination of best practices. Finalists will be announced on June 3, 2008. For more information about these awards, visit the following links: • Top 50 Innovations in Government • Children and Family System Reform Semifinalists * Circles of Peace Co-Founder, Dr. Linda Mills, has just published a new book: “Violent Partners: A Breakthrough Plan for Ending the Cycle of Abuse.” (Basic Books, 2008). “In this groundbreaking book, Linda Mills – feminist, scholar, activist and survivor – challenges assumptions, tears down myths, and offers solutions to the problem of physical and emotional abuse.” Read more at www.nyu.edu/cvr. Order your copy today! * Please call our office or send an email to find out the next date of our community member training!
~ Home ~ Circles ~ Partners/Supporters ~ Contact us ~