The Youth Will Lead the Way

“A truly powerful part of the training that has dramatically shifted my own work is the role the teen leaders play in training participants. When I recall my first circle with TRC I remember feeling impatient and tired. When I looked around at the teenagers sharing this circle with me my entire mindset shifted. I thought to myself: If teenagers are still actively present and participating, then they must know something I don’t know and need to know about restorative circles. The students' ability to support adults and give us feedback as we were learning how to facilitate circles is reflective of the training TRC has done in schools. The voice of students is truly respected and harnessed. Through their work with TRC, the students became our teachers. Their work has highlighted for me the importance of inter-generational circles and the power of the voice of our youth.”