The NEMLEC Police Foundation Inc. has donated a portion of its annual fund-raising proceeds to the Communities for Restorative Justice (C4RJ). 

The money donated will be designated for NEMLEC communities in which families are unable to pay the fees attached to participate in a restorative justice circle.

Bedford Police Chief Robert Bongiorno, a NEMLEC Foundation board member and former Arlington captain, presented a check for $2,500 to Erin Freeborn, executive director of C4RJ, on June 29.

Communities for Restorative Justice is a community-police partnership that offers a justice alternative rather than processing a young person or adult in court. The nonprofit responds to crime in ways that heal, hold accountable and put right by hosting a "circle" where the victim, offender and members of the community come together to discuss the full impact of an event and collaboratively create a repair plan.

"The NEMLEC Foundation was created to help such worthy causes like Communities for Restorative Justice," said Rich Raymond, Chairman of the NEMLEC Foundation. "We are pleased to see a portion of our fundraising proceeds allow residents to participate in the restorative justice model who otherwise would not have the means to do so."

The NEMLEC Police Foundation exists to promote and pursue training, education, research, projects, and programs that benefit municipal police agencies and their communities in Northeastern Massachusetts. The Foundation also uses money raised through donations and fundraisers to support various charitable organizations.

Founded in 2000, C4RJ is a nonprofit guided by a 13-member board with more than100 trained volunteers. It recognizes that crime is a violation of people and relationships, not just a violation of law. It receives police referrals and seeks to include those affected by crime in the decision-making: victims, offenders, loved ones, supporters, community members and law enforcement officials.

This announcement was published Tuesday, July 5, 2016.