Working with your organization
TRC has experience working with a variety of organizations to utilize the power of Restorative Justice to build community, discuss the disconnect, and bring the issues of workplace ethics to the surface in a meaningful way.
We have experience working in schools, facilitating workplace trainings, consulting on innovative programming for organizations and agencies, bringing Community Circles to events and conferences, and tailoring new Circles to fit specific community needs.
TRC offers fee-based services to support our mission to advance Restorative Justice teachings, circles and trainings at no or low cost to community members.
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“There are endless praises to sing about the thoughtfulness and intentionality of this model and your deep well of knowledge and compassion. I think it’s safe to speak for the class (since I was in the number) when I say that the training was unique and powerful! It was a joy to go deeper into the science of the circles and ourselves.
The introspection required to do this work will certainly make for better citizens of our little planet. The shadow work is something I’ve been discussing ever since we the training ended. I’m so very proud to help share your model and look forward to going even deeper in the days and months ahead.
It is clear that this is the beginning of a long journey for all who participated and I am thrilled to be your partner along the way.”
Establishing Partnerships with Innovative Programming
TRC is available to begin a conversation with organizations, agencies, and communities that are grappling with issues of modern life - cultural and gender diversity, anger and violence, economic inequity, or other unique dilemmas.
We look for partnerships that are willing to invest time and thought into a meaningful response.
Workplace Circles
Something different is needed to help our organization cultures evolve in a tangible way, and superficial efforts will result in superficial changes. What this cultural moment requires is a profound re-envisioning of dialogue around compound issues in organizations to create space for important, honest, and productive conversations to happen. From these dialogues, wisdom on the best path forward will emerge.
Whether we’ve gone through trainings on racism, sexual harassment, or other issues, we know that current training methods just don’t work. Despite organizations’ efforts to make effective change in organizational culture, challenges persist.
The Restorative Center’s (TRC) unique approach to restorative justice and circle work has held space for people to speak with grace and ease on profound issues of social disconnect like race, gender, sexuality, and religion. TRC’s circle process is an opportunity to create new space and structure, and to unfold and unravel the complex and unique issues of the modern organization.
TRC has developed, advocated for, and now teaches a power-sharing model of restorative justice, which vests in the shared humanity of us all. By implementing TRC’s model in the workplace, every member of the organization claims an equal stake in the process and has their voice heard clearly, outside of a traditionally hierarchical paradigm.
Train Community Circle Keepers at Your Organization
The Restorative Center’s foundational training provides an experience-based understanding of TRC’s unique Community-based model of restorative justice, designed to illuminate our shared humanity. Our trainings are engaging, lively and ever evolving. We utilize theory-based lectures, the interactive circle experience, skill development, mock circles, as well as small and large group discussions. TRC offers programming to train a cohort of organization-based community circle keepers.
Organizations and workplaces that request training by TRC will benefit from a curriculum planned and executed to align with institutional needs. Trainings can be held over the course of the month or an intensive week, followed by ongoing support. The parameters of the training vary based on the specific needs of individual partnerships.
“I just wanted to say thank you so much for the transformative experience that was this weekend for me. It coalesced so many things I have been thinking about and provided such a wonderful framework for moving forward in a world that feels overwhelming and often painfully unjust”
“This is a process and training that must be replicated and spread throughout this nation.”
“This was an incredible, life changing experience. I was able to really see how circle keepers guide the energy and allow the community to navigate the conversations.”
“It connected us on the most basic human level. I love that even though we could not physically be together, even online I still felt connected to everyone there. This was very therapeutic and eye-opening”
“It was a very powerful experience. How the facilitators helped everyone open up with stories that were universal and also specific. Everything built on each other and was so organic.”
Restorative Justice in Schools
TRC works with schools to develop restorative justice programs for the broad community within the school.
The Restorative Center trains young people and adults alike in the art of circle keeping, removing generational and hierarchical barriers that can dam the flow of genuine connection. By encourage the young people involved to take ownership of the process, youth become community stewards of restorative justice. For the restorative justice movement to take root, the hurdles of not only bringing Restorative Justice to young people, but also allowing them to become guiding contributors to restorative justice processes need to be addressed.
TRC recently brought our innovative training to students and teachers at private and public schools. In a pilot program at a public high school in the South Bronx, TRC’s work led to a 60% reduction in the rate of suspension. The profound effect of the circle process with the South Bronx student population affirms the yearning for young people to sit in a circle that is built with authentic values to hold space for true experiences. The true power of the circle process is in the connection that the students were able to access due the structure of the circle.
“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.”
“After attending (TRC) workshops our youth workers have shown remarkable changes in their behavior and communication skills. Their voice, how they interact with one another, and approach conflict has transformed remarkably. As a supervisor this shift in culture makes me hopeful for each of our young employees. This workshop is equipped with tools necessary for building a holistic, intentional community. We are beyond thankful and extremely blessed to have the Restorative Center as a resource for our youth, organization, and community.”
Events and Conferences
The Restorative Center is available to facilitate Community Circles at events and conferences to help build bridges and cultivate a landscape where deeper discussions can take place. TRC is also available to lecture about Restorative Justice.
The Restorative Center is Proud to Have Worked With Many Organzations, Including:
Adelphi University
Albany District Attorney’s Office
Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
AmeriCorps
Bindlestiff Family Cirkus
Brooklyn Waldorf School
Carleton University
Center for NuLeadership on Urban Solutions
City of Hudson
City of Hudson Youth Department
Clark County School District
Coalition for Responsible Community
Crossnore School and Children’s Home
Engagement Innovation Summit
Exodus Transitional Community
Global CommUnity Associates
Kids in Need of Defense
Legal Aid Society
Life Comes From It
Marist College
Marymount Manhattan
Milton Academy
Minkwon Center for Community Action
Mott Hall V High School
Mount Saint Mary College
Muslim-Jewish Solidarity Committee
New York University
Newburgh Clean Water Project
Newburgh LGBTQ Center
North Carolina PTA
North Carolina State University
North Olympic Library System
Opportunities for Learning (OFL)
Orleans Parish District Attorney
Perception Institute
Restorative Partners
Safe Horizon
San Jose State University
Smith College
Southern University Law Center
Sweethome School District
Tides Foundation
United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities
University of Alabama
University of California San Diego
University of Kentucky
University of San Francisco
University of Vermont
Vermont Child Welfare Training Partnership
Waldorf Schools
Wenatchee Valley Dispute Resolution Center
Yale Law School