Vela
We have applied to become a non-profit corporation.
Donors may only receive tax deductions once Vela has been approved by the IRS as a tax-exempt organization.
Mission: Increase the availability of restorative justice by providing individualized consultation and support for qualitative and quantitative data collection, analysis and reporting.
We envision a world in which every person has access to restorative justice.
The name Vela is inspired by the sail shaped constellation by the same name. Just as sails are filled with wind to propel the ship in its desired direction, RJ programs utilize efficient qualitative and quantitative data collection, analysis and reporting to more efficiently serve their clients and achieve their missions.
How Vela began.
Thanks to funding support from the National Center on Restorative Justice (NCORJ), Vela was able to interview restorative justice programs and create a scope and requirements document to guide development of web-based restorative justice program management applications.
The National Center on Restorative Justice improves criminal justice policy and practice in the United States through supporting education, research, and training to further restorative approaches.
Our Impact.
Vela conducted formal interviews with restorative justice programs across the country. Vela defined the scope and requirements for a data system to serve restorative programs. With this information, Vela will provide individualized consultation to restorative justice programs and practitioners about how to collect, analyze and report on their services and impact. We will support programs in identifying which metrics illustrate the impact on restorative justice to individuals and communities.
Seeing Impact
In addition to consulting programs, Vela will support restorative programs in visualizing their data. This will enable programs in demonstrating their qualitative and qualitative impact within their communities and beyond. Programs can choose who has access to these visualizations, as they may be used internally or be available to the public. Each program has full control over their data.
