WELCOME
The Religious Coalition for a Nonviolent Durham (RCND) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization comprised of individuals, who as an expression of their faith and goodwill, come alongside neighbors most impacted by our community violence and criminal legal system. We do this through vigil ministry among homicide survivors, support circles for citizens returning from incarceration, and restorative justice practices that seek to repair the harm caused by wrongdoing. In all these practices of proximity and repair, we affirm the truth of beloved community and bear witness to a Durham framed by boundless belonging.
Our Coalition was founded by Mr. Leslie Dunbar and Rev. Mel Williams in 1992, and incorporated in 2004. As an interfaith and inter-racial organization whose fulfillment depends on inclusiveness, we exist to empower neighbors into healing relationships with neighbors bearing the inequitable human toll of our collective violence. And as a Coalition seeking to be of and for all of Durham, we work collaboratively with members of Durham’s faith, governmental, educational, health, and advocacy organizations to foster transformative change and collective liberation.
We invite you to participate in our practices:
VIGIL in the face of pervasive violent harm: through Annual Vigil, on the street, in court, and in compassionate relationship with families grieving irreparable violent harm. By bearing public witness to the human worthiness of neighbors killed by our neighbors, we extend support and dignity to survivors. Since 1997.
REENTRY & RECONCILIATION through community-sourced ‘faith teams’ gathered in mutual support around a neighbor exiting long-term incarceration. Since 2004.
COMMUNITY LUNCHEON ROUNDTABLES held every fourth Thursday of the month in the education building of Elizabeth Street UMC (1209 N. Elizabeth Street) from Noon to 1PM. Lunch, presentation from a peacemaker, and lively discussion are provided. Since 1992, all are welcome.
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE DURHAM A collaborative project to integrate restorative justice practices in Durham’s criminal justice system. Working alongside volunteers, community partners, and criminal justice practitioners, we seek a restorative justice process that repairs of harm of crime and restores the relationships—both individual and collective—that were hurt by wrongdoing. Since 2018.