Media Center
For any media inquiries, contact Jeff Simmons (Anat Gerstein, Inc.) at jeff@anatgerstein.com.
For more information about our monthly television program, Both Sides of the Bars, click here.
Reflecting on the Power of Restorative Justice with George Van Amson Fellow Eloise Benoit
Throughout her journey, Eloise Benoit (BC’25) has witnessed how restorative justice catalyzes social change. From seeing the impact of grassroots programs making the arts accessible in her hometown of Greater New Haven to her experiences working at the recidivism-driven nonprofit The Fortune Society’s Bronx location as part of Columbia’s George Van Amson (GVA) Fellowship program, the transformative efforts of dedicated changemakers at the local level sparked her passion for social justice.
GVA—a program led by Community Impact at Columbia—provides resources for Columbia University and Barnard College undergraduate students participating in unpaid summer internships at community-driven social impact organizations. Columbia Neighbors spoke with Benoit about her experience as a George Van Amson Fellow, the perils of punitive systems, and her future aspirations in the criminal justice space.
What sparked your interest in the study of sociology?
The initial roots of my passion for social advocacy and grassroots work—ultimately leading me to sociology—was growing up in highly underfunded, overpoliced public schools. As I witnessed my high school not be able afford stall doors in the bathroom and cram multiple classes in each room, I began to understand depending on quality and attention, schooling is a highly decisive and polarizing experience for kids. I didn’t find it fair that depending on what neighborhood you grew up in, your education was either nurturing or neglectful.
I was part of a few programs that centered on social justice. I joined one created by my history teacher called Exploring Justice, and that opened the door for me to get involved with others. One of the projects that really illustrated the parallels between public service, justice, and sociology for me was a program called Musical Intervention, founded by singer and songwriter Adam Christoferson. The program connects formerly incarcerated and unhoused individuals to the arts by teaching them how to play instruments, write songs, and record music. The workshops would be hosted at a community center-like creative space, and Adam would also go out to different facilities to ensure these immersive experiences were accessible.
Witnessing the grassroots approach of community impact in the town where I grew up was the seed that led to my interest in this area of study. When I came to Barnard and had the choice of what I wanted to pursue, I decided to hone in on sociology. During my first semester, I took a course called The Sociology of Punishment, which solidified my interest.
What inspired you to get involved in the George Van Amson Fellowship?
I was looking for opportunities to actively pursue social impact work locally, and Beyond Barnard was a resource I used to explore ways to get connected. I felt like the George Van Amson Fellowship was a great opportunity to connect with peers who are also taking part in building these community partnerships through their respective fellowships and internships. Joining the fellowship paid off even more than I could have ever imagined. The other fellows and I worked at organizations that were mission-adjacent. A few of us worked with nonprofits that focused on law, and others worked with groups centered on immigration rights and domestic violence, but they all were rooted in justice and community impact. It was valuable to have a space to have insightful conversations about the work. Learning from my own experiences and those of my peers inspired me.
“I felt like the George Van Amson Fellowship was a great opportunity to connect with peers who are also taking part in building these community partnerships.”
What motivated you to get involved with The Fortune Society?
I started working with the organization two years ago at its central location in Long Island City. I was part of their Employment Services team, which connected people with job readiness programs and resources to prepare them for different career opportunities. I wanted to lean more into court advocacy work, and that’s what led me to get involved in The Fortune Society’s Supervised Release Program (SRP) at their Bronx location.
SRP focuses on helping individuals in a different chapter of the incarceration process. Instead of providing people with food, housing, employment, and healthcare in the post-release phase, we’re offering this support at the point of arraignment. The program is a stand-in for having people pay insane bail amounts or go to Rikers Island. It takes a mental health-informed, holistic approach to helping those in need. It is also court-mandated, so it gives individuals an alternative option rather than checking in with a probation officer.
When it comes to restorative justice, The Fortune Society practices what it preaches, a large part of its workforce are formerly incarcerated individuals. It feels like a well-rounded space because of that. Through the fellowship, I was able to connect my academic passions to the work I see myself doing in the future. It was amazing to be part of an organization that emphasizes community building.
What was one of the most memorable projects you worked on during the fellowship?
I did a lot of work in the food pantry. The organization has smaller pantries at different locations, but the one in the Bronx is its primary one, so there’s a lot of foot traffic. Working at the pantry allowed me to have a lot of face-to-face interactions with participants, which is my favorite part of the work. Having a casual conversation with someone can make a direct and immediate impact. A lot of the processes within SRP can be longer since people are waiting for trial, but being able to help people put food on the table every day shows that we can support them not only long-term but daily too.
Can you talk about the importance of having restorative justice-focused nonprofits in communities like The Bronx?
This is something I am really passionate about. During the fellowship, I was able to sit in on some court hearings at The Bronx County Family Court which is where most of our cases were from. From my perspective, these punitive systems almost understand that individuals are facing holistic issues and need greater support systems, yet they often still choose to incarcerate them. It’s sad and almost dystopian to see these things happen. It’s imperative for community-built organizations like The Fortune Society to fill in those gaps in these neighborhoods. By stepping in and taking into account different factors through a holistic lens—like the need for stable housing, access to food, or mental health resources—you’re able to help people rather than neglect them.
What are some of the most powerful lessons you’ve learned from your overall experience with the fellowship program?
There’s true value in the diversity of our experiences. Everyone comes from a different background and should utilize their unique experiences and characteristics to aid them along whatever path they choose. The most important thing is to be connected to the work and be able to stay aware of where you’re most helpful and how you can draw connections with the people you’re serving. How are you able to build meaningful connections with community members? How are you supporting them in a way that’s most helpful for them?
A continuous lesson is when doing work that is connected to the criminal justice system and working with people who have committed crimes in the past, it’s important to remove judgment and focus on supporting their needs. I believe in the power of restorative justice. I don’t believe in punitive systems; I don’t think they work. I don’t think they help the people that they’re incarcerating. My work with The Fortune Society and connecting with the other GVA fellows to hear their perspectives on the importance of applying non-punitive systems reinforced my purpose to change the narrative.
“I believe in the power of restorative justice. I don’t believe in punitive systems; I don’t think they work.”
What’s on the horizon for you?
I’m working on a research paper that explores representation among correctional officers on Rikers Island. It will examine how there’s a disproportionate amount of Black correctional officers in Rikers Correctional Facility than any other correctional facility in the state of New York and in the country, why they are specifically assigned and placed in such a notoriously violent and poorly-funded facility, and how that is another root of the suppression and oppression of communities of color. I’ve been able to lean on some of the connections I’ve made at The Fortune Society to work on this interview-based project.
I’m also planning on getting involved in other fellowships and internships focused on criminal justice reform. I’d also like to get involved in The Fortune Society’s Court Advocacy Program which is directly in the Bronx County Family Court and involves connecting with individuals going through the incarceration process and trying to help them get involved in the Supervised Release Program. I’m also really interested and inspired by the work being led by the Columbia Justice Lab.