*Watts Street Baptist Church
Restorative Justice: a victim's voice
Durham, NC
*Capital Restorative Justice Project
Event - A Circles of Healing Annual Event:
Restorative Justice: What is it and why do we need it now?
*Restorative Justice offers a hopeful vision of justice
for victims and their families. It seeks accountability
from and compassion for the offender. It addresses the shared
responsibility of the community. It is a different way
*Campbell Law School,
Raleigh NC
Forgiveness and the criminal justice system
*Malaprop's
Bookstore, Asheville NC
Book signing and Discussion
Sponsored by MVFR
"What happens when one is confronted
with violence and death? The Red Door Gallery and Collective
presents, “ Insights of Life from the Shadows of Death”
an exhibition focusing on the past, present and future of
art for human rights and art against violence. Join us as
we bring the community together in one space in hopes of
shedding light on human rights issues and the cause and
effect of violence on our streets, in our community and
around the world. There are several perspectives surrounding
these issues and we hope to cover as many of them as possible.
What can art do for humanity? Has art helped you heal? What
are the new visual symbols of non-violence? Art is not only
a powerful healing tool for those who suffer from the ripples
of violence and death, but can be used pro-actively to spread
visual imagery of a non-violent future. "
A former high school dropout and teen
mother, Thérèse is now a writer, teacher,
speaker and activist for victims and offenders. She holds
a BA in English and a MS in criminal justice from the University
of North Carolina at Charlotte.
A sample video of Thérèse speaking about The
Final Gift Film and Coffee Shop God.
About the memoir, Coffee
Shop God
When Thérèse Bartholomew’s younger brother
Steve was shot and killed in Greenville, SC, she wondered
how she would survive without him. Bartholomew's powerful
new memoir, Coffee Shop God, details her struggle
to adjust in the weeks and months following her brother’s
untimely death.
In this collection of essays, Bartholomew questions her
spirituality in the midst of bond hearings, debilitating
grief and a new marriage. As she heals, she strives to connect
with the family she has left--the mother who always has
a joke, the father who cannot show affection, the ex-drug-dealing
brother who is now an evangelical Christian and the talking
bird she inherits from her brother—while learning
to forgive the young man who killed Steve.
Sister Helen Prejean, author of Dead Man Walking,
calls Coffee Shop God "a moving account of the
author's struggle to make sense of life, faith, and humanity
after the tragic loss of her brother."
Coffee Shop God offers a roadmap to anyone who has
experienced loss and gazed uncertainly into the future.
About the
forthcoming documentary film, The Final Gift The impact of Restorative Justice
While completing the memoir, Thérèse was drawn
to the story and voice of her brother's killer. She questioned
-- what was his life like before the night he shot Steve?
What is life like now in prison, and what will life be like
for him once he is released? Bartholomew's film, The
Final Gift, currently in production, seeks to answer
these questions and to make sense of the tragedy that will
forever link her to the young man who killed her brother.
The film addresses universal ideas of forgiveness and redemption
as well as the larger societal questions -- how do we make
peace with crime, support the victims, and restore the offenders?
The Final Gift is currently in production and release
is anticipated in 2010.
To schedule an interview, arrange a speaking
engagement or book signing, or inquire about donations,
Contact Thérèse at: 704.806.1732 * therese@thefinalgiftfilm.com
For Fees and Donations, please see the Honorarium
section here.
Travel Arrangements/Accommodations:
- For destinations within 200 miles of Charlotte, North
Carolina, I will drive. Please plan to reimburse mileage
at .52/mile.
- For destinations beyond 200 miles, I will make flight
arrangements. I will coordinate with you to determine the
best airport/flight options. Transportation arrangements
to and from the hotel will be required.
- Please secure one private non-smoking room for my stay.
NOTE: If the speaking donation is prohibitive for your
group, I would be happy to discuss your particular situation.
Speaking from her heart
and her experience ~
“Hearing Thérèse speak at our school
and read from her memoir Coffee Shop God was simultaneously
wonderful and gut-wrenching. A woman of amazing courage,
she shared the agonizing story of her brother's senseless
death and the compassion that arose in her for his killer.
She is a powerful role model for all of us who are caught
up in the societal dichotomy of 'good vs. evil.' Her profound
message will change anyone who is willing to hear. Our students
were deeply affected and wanted to know when she would return
to speak again."
~ Lisa Kendall, Leadership Professor
at Johnson & Wales University
"Thérèse chose to use personal adversity
to affect positive change in individuals and in the larger
community. Her genuineness cannot be overlooked and will
serve as inspiration for those far and near."
~ John P. Comer, NC Coordinator
for Murder Victims’ Families for Reconciliation
"Thérèse’s ease of relating to
our clients with such plain-spun honesty, undeniable zeal
for life, humor and creativity - in total - delivered such
a powerful, meaningful message. Hope is such a valuable
commodity, and it’s clear that Thérèse
has it in spades.”
~ Rick Spreitzer, Clinical Counselor
for Anuvia Prevention and Recovery Center
“I’m always trying to improve ‘me’
and to ‘grow’ as a human being. Her words opened
my eyes to the power of forgiveness and understanding…”
*Watts Street Baptist Church, Durham: Restorative Justice
Forum
*Capital Restorative Justice Project, Durham: Restorative
Justice: What is it, and why do we need it now?
*Campbell University Law School: The Aftermath of Murder:
Can Justice Heal?
*Charlotte School of Law: Restoring Victims, Offenders,
and Community
*Malaprop's Book Store: Discussion: The Aftermath - Shared
Victim Voices, sponsored by MVFR
*The Regulator Bookshop: The Victim's Voice Discovered:
Coffee Shop God, sponsored by MVFR
*Raleigh Television Network's The Artists Craft: Interview
and Conversation: Coffee Shop God
*Anuvia Prevention and Recovery Center: Grief
*Johnston and Wales: Coffee Shop God in Discussion
*Myers Park Presbyterian Church: Faith and the Criminal
Justice System
*Florence Crittenton Services: Power in Voice
*Summit House: Power in Voice
*Survivor Fest: Victim's Stories of Survival
*Operation Freefall: Victim's Stories of Survival
*UNCC: Teen Pregnancy and Educators
