Why is it important for people of faith to be involved in domestic violence work?

….Early on in my work at Renewal House, I attended a training led by Rhea
Almeida about her program in New Jersey and her efforts to provide
opportunities for restorative justice. I continually think about that
model – and those who say “only someone like Rhea can do that work.”
The opportunity Rhea offers for families to share the reality of
domestic violence and, together, create a path to healing and wholeness
is revolutionary. It does not mean that the family is reunited; rather,
through the process of separation they all get a chance to tell their
stories in a community of both support and accountability. This model
is what I hope Restorer’s Ministry and Renewal House both achieve as we
seek to be people of faith in a world that, in many ways, is “fallen.”
In my mind, that is the importance of faith communities and their
contributions to the work of ending domestic violence – we have the
opportunity to serve all members of the family as they seek to heal and
make better choices in their lives. That, I believe, is the social
justice work that people of faith are poised to do together.

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