Restorative Justice Initiative (NYC)

"... When he told me about his first charge, I pointed out how young he was and suggested that, at that age, his basic needs were likely not met. From there, we discussed choice, consequences, and self-compassion. I shared the concept of restorative justice, and to my surprise, he expressed a strong interest in it. For over a year, we worked together until his release, and during that time, I witnessed the internal battle he waged—a war between hope and despair. At times, John was optimistic, but his doubts often convinced him he’d never make it out. Recently, I reconnected with John and he’s managed to stay out of the streets and drop his affiliation, prioritizing his freedom over anything else. When I asked John how my program had affected him and others, he told me that my approach worked because I wasn’t afraid to stand in the tension and engage with them on everything from police violence to favorite meals. Those conversations broke down barriers and allowed the men to talk freely, even after I had left for the day." - Vidya Dwarakanath https://lnkd.in/e9MsDxy6

Hot off the presses! Wisdom of the Circle; A Restorative Practitioner's Deck is a versatile card deck that contains 52 unique questions and prompts designed to support people and their communities in building belonging, thinking creatively, and resolving tension through restorative circle practice. The deck is organized into four categories— earth, air, fire, and water—offering prompts and questions that can be combined into any number of arrangements to assist you in coming together to share more authentically and hear one another more deeply. The deck is an ideal resource for folks who want to build a regular restorative circle practice, grow interpersonal relationships, or anyone looking to build an individual journaling practice through a restorative lens. Grab a deck today and learn more about True North EDI on their website: https://lnkd.in/eyTdx9-5

"...We’ve found healing and growth through our own resilience. Rebuilding our sense of trust and also our sense of community was crucial to our healing as well. We connected with supportive friends and family and got involved in activities that brought us joy and fulfillment. Perhaps most importantly, applying restorative justice practices to my family’s situation provided a sense of closure, as we were able to confront the harm that had been done and made the decision to let it go, which was essential for rebuilding our lives and moving forward." - Lisbet Perez https://lnkd.in/e---gVtz

As we approach the end of 2024, we want to express our continued gratitude for all the ways that you have made this work possible. We still have a dollar-for-dollar match up to $7,500 - so your support makes that much more of an impact. Donate today: https://lnkd.in/eQvhUDMc

Hot off the presses, in this video produced by The New York Public Library, Restorative Justice Initiative staff, collaborators, and Youth Advocacy Council members explore the core tenants of restorative justice and what investing in healing can look like. We hope you'll watch it and share! https://lnkd.in/ebUb8533

The Futures Without Violence Conference on Health is taking place next year, and they want to hear from you! Futures Without Violence is a health and social justice nonprofit with a simple mission: to heal those among us who are traumatized by violence today – and to create healthy families and communities free of violence tomorrow. This conference, taking place in person in San Francisco, from September 9th to 11th, will bring together health professionals, advocates, researchers, survivors, and policymakers and will highlight cutting edge research and practice, and systems change to address domestic and sexual violence, with a focus on preventing violence and promoting health equity. Abstracts are being accepted from now until January 13th! Don't miss it: https://lnkd.in/eKpN8aw7

This spring, Spring Up is offering its signature six-week course, Community Care and Accountability: Practicing Transformative Justice. This is a great opportunity for folks who are interested in learning and practicing community accountability and transformative justice skills in a cohort with the support of coaches. Running virtually from February 10th to April 1st, 2025, the course includes four live discussion spaces, self-paced multimedia learning modules, and a 1:1 coaching session with one of their course facilitators. Cohort members retain access to course content after the six weeks of structured learning concludes. Cost: Sliding scale rates, $475, $575, or $675. Be sure to apply by January 31st if interested! https://lnkd.in/e8kYBNuk

Opportunity alert! The NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund is hiring - take a look at the Community Organizer role and apply: https://lnkd.in/ecAAjAjk

Opportunity alert! The Liberation Academy program is looking for young adults ages 18 to 35 to join their training designed to equip participants with the skills, strategies, and inspiration to create meaningful change in their communities. Through a series of interactive workshops, panels, and collaborative sessions, you'll explore topics such as: 🩵The foundations of community organizing and its radical roots 🩵Strategies for building inclusive and resilient movements 🩵Tools for engaging in collective action and grassroots mobilization 🩵Developing campaigns that center justice, equity, and long-term impact There's something for everyone whether you’re new to community organizing or already active in social justice efforts. Selected participants will receive a stipend, up to $1,000 towards organizing a project of their choosing, site visits and field trips, and much more! Be sure to apply ASAP if interested. https://lnkd.in/eBYVPA85

Trinity Chruch Wall Street is looking for a Program Officer for their Racial Justice initiatives. Is it you or someone you know? Check out the full opportunity on their website: https://lnkd.in/eJPWQmb2