Restorative Practices Facilitators
John Ehrhart, MA
John is cofounder of the Colorado Center for Restorative Practices and Restorative Divorce. He holds a master's degree in Transpersonal Psychology from Naropa University, and a BA in Psychology and Philosophy from Creighton University. He is a peacemaker, trained by the Colorado Peacemaker Institute. He is a trained mediator. He is also trained in Integral Organizational Leadership through the Integral Institute. He is currently a stundent of the Ridhwan School and the Diamond Approach to psychological and spiritual awareness.
John is a mediator for the Boulder County Sherrif's Department and a restorative justice facilitator for the 19th Judicial District Restorative Justice Partnership. He is a program instructor for the Prison Dharma Network at both the Boulder County Jail and Lookout Mountain Youth Services Center. He has participated in and helped to lead vision fast ceremonies. He built a successful Land Surveying business for 15 years and has taught Surveying at the Denver Waldorf School.
John has been married for 19 years and has four children. He is a singer-songwriter and enjoys camping in the wilderness with his children, coaching soccer, playing in the mountains, and philosophizing. He is informed greatly by his meditation practice and the daily practice of being in relationship. He brings qualities of openness, acceptance, equanimity and humor to his work.
Scott Brown, MA
Scott is cofounder of Restorative Divorce and the Colorado Center for Restorative Practices. He also founded the Center for Restorative Activism. He is a peacemaker trained by the Colorado Peacemaker Institute, and has completed comprehensive training in the Hakomi Method of Psychotherapy. He is a trained mediator and holds a master’s degree in Transpersonal Psychology and Ecopsychology from Naropa University.
Scott has volunteered as a restorative justice facilitator with the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office and the Longmont Community Justice Partnership, and served as interim restorative justice coordinator for the Sheriff’s Office. He also teaches meditation at the Boulder County jail and leads workshops in Restorative Activism.
Scott experienced his divorce in 2006 as a wake up call to change his life, and has undergone a focused and intensive life transition since that time. His own experience informs his belief that Restorative Practice can be a powerful stepping stone on the path of awakening to one’s fullest potential.
Prior to taking an active interest in personal growth, Scott was a professional environmental campaigner for 15 years, working for Greenpeace, the Idaho Conservation League, and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society. He also spent five years as an organic farmer before moving to Boulder in 2006. An avid yoga and outdoor enthusiast, he brings a grounded, peaceful presence to his work.
Leslie Maya-Charles, MSW
Leslie received her MSW from UCLA in 1984. She received a certificate in mediation services in 1996. She has worked as a trainer with the Partnership of Restorative Justice Training for 6 years.
Leslie has been the Program Director for the 19th Judicial District Restorative Justice Partnership since its inception six years ago. The program is a conferencing program that works with adults and minors in the judicial system in the Town of Erie.
Leslie worked for several years in a residential treatment center for teenage girls and their babies in Los Angeles. She was the Intake Coordinator and worked with all levels of the agency as well as outside agencies involved in these girls’ lives.
Gina Bata, JD
Gina specializes in family law mediation and restorative justice facilitation. She has served as the Coordinator for Restorative Justice and Student Mediation at the University of Colorado at Boulder since 2005 where she was instrumental in developing the Community Accountability Board model.
Gina is a member of the Boulder Family Mediation Alliance providing family mediation services for low income individuals. She also serves as the coordinator for volunteer mediators at the Denver Probate Court. Gina obtained a B.A. in Government from Harvard University and obtained her law degree from the University of Colorado Law School.