Melinda Venegas

Melinda Venegas is a Case Coordinator and a Restorative Justice Facilitator at Lutheran Community Services Northwest (LCSNW) where she completed her restorative justice training and certification. Since 2021, she has also been a participant and supporter of ReGroup, a reentry support group for individuals returning to the community after incarceration. Melinda is a trained Reentry Expert Peer Support (REPS) who works specifically with women, and girls preparing for reentry out of Oak Creek and Coffee Creek Correctional Facilities. Melinda’s multicultural background, and her own lived experience with the criminal justice system have made her very familiar with the disparities and inequities of how the system disproportionately affects racial minorities, lower socioeconomic groups, and marginalized communities. Her passion for transformative and restorative justice practices and principles are founded in the belief that these approaches promote public safety, empower individuals, reduce recidivism, and give a voice for all to be heard. Melinda believes these values lead to connection, wholeness, and a community in action - which is true healing.