Tara Haaland- Ford Restorative Justice Project
Tara K. Haaland-Ford
9/1/72 - 7/17/21
Tara Haaland-Ford was one of the founding members of the Santa Barbara Teen Legal Clinic. Tara tirelessly fought for and represented those most in need and often overlooked. Tara believed that by educating and empowering youth, Santa Barbara and our whole world would be a better place. At the heart of this belief was Tara's commitment to Restorative Justice as an alternative to our typical criminal system. Instead of just punishment, Restorative Justice repairs the harm of a crime by bringing victims, offenders and community members together to decide the consequences of the crime committed. The results of the Restorative Justice process can be transformational. While Tara left us way too early, her dream was to see Restorative Justice used in the Santa Barbara County juvenile criminal justice system and education systems. With success in Santa Barbara County, Tara's hope was that Restorative Justice would be used throughout California, and even across the United States as "true" criminal justice reform. It is with this dream in mind, that the Santa Barbara Teen Legal Clinic has proudly renamed it's Restorative Justice Project to be the Tara Haaland-Ford Restorative Justice Project to further her dream and continue her legacy. If you too would like to assist in furthering Tara's dream, please consider donating below. No donation is too small or too big. On behalf of Tara and everyone at the Santa Barbara Teen Legal Clinic, thank you for your support.