'Justice and Recovery' to be addressed at Unity in the Community event in Greensburg

A Unity in the Community event slated Friday in Greensburg will promote “justice and recovery.”

Those attending from 4 to 7 p.m. at the YWCA, at 424 N. Main St., will have the opportunity to learn about resources available in Westmoreland County from community leaders and organizations.

Organizer and Greensburg resident Ronel Baccus expects more than 15 organizations to take part as networking has grown through a series of Unity in the Community events in Greensburg and other area towns.

“We have people coming in from Harrisburg now who are interested in our community and helping to make a change.” she said. “We must come together to bring unity and not division, to have dialogue with the community and honor Black leaders in the community. I’m excited to do this work to help my community.”

Expected participants at Friday’s event include Kristine Demnovich, deputy director of the county’s Juvenile Probation Department.

“The mission of the Pennsylvania juvenile justice system is to bring balanced attention to the victim, the community and the offender,” said Demnovich. “Listening makes our communities better. The foundation of restorative justice is listening to the people who are affected and seeking the victim’s input at all times.”

In Westmoreland County, she said, “Many of our officers are community-based officers. They go and work in the communities where the kids are located to help communities solve their own problems when they can.”

Also represented will be Hempfield-based Sage’s Army. The nonprofit assists those recovering from substance abuse by connecting them with the resources they need. It was founded by Carmen Capozzi following the March 2021 drug overdose of his son, Sage.

Food and entertainment also are planned for the event.

Those attending are encouraged to bring diapers, period products and adult incontinence supplies that will be collected for donation to the Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank.