CREATING COMMUNITY
Restorative Resources seeks to help our community become a Restorative Community. In addition to direct services and training provided in partnership with the schools and justice system, we provide the following:
Community Listening Circles
Community volunteers are trained to lead listening circles where everyone has an opportunity to speak and be heard. The circles are thoughtful and respectful. Depending on the needs of the circles, questions - which give guidance to the dialogue - are developed in advance and may be distributed to the participants in advance. The circles often use the hallmarks of restorative dialogue, including the use of a talking piece in order that the speaker have the attention and respect of the circle. The circle participants agree to try to hold the restorative principles of speaking and listening from the heart. Poems and other readings often mark the opening and closing of the circle.
Examples of circles facilitated by Restorative Resources’ volunteers and staff are circles with affected persons in the aftermath of the horrific Sonoma County fires, circles in the schools and community in the wake of a police shooting of a youth in 2013, and, in partnership with the local government agencies, circles with members of law enforcement and community members aimed at building and improving relationship. Through seeing and hearing each other as individual human beings who care about our community, the community builds strength, resiliency and the ability to counter future conflicts and issues. If you are would like to organize, be a participant in and volunteer to facilitate a Community Listening Circle, contact Liliana Sanchez at Liliana@restorativeresources.org . Conflict Resolution and Relationship Building in the Workplace
What work group doesn’t have occasional disagreements and hard issues to tackle? Restorative Resources works with businesses and other organizations to help the participants build relationships through open, respective dialogue, where all have an opportunity to share their feelings and be authentically heard.
Because every workplace is different, Restorative Resources helps the organization customize an approach to serve their needs. It may be organizing and facilitating a single circle or perhaps a series of circles that include all affected community members. Through deep conversation, consensus and the shared wisdom of the participants, the circles can bring solutions and improved, long-lasting ways of being together in the workplace. A complementary and confidential consultation regarding your organization is available. Please contact Mick Gardner mick@restorativeresources.org or Maria Freebairn-Smith mariafree@restorativeresources.org if you would like to know more.. Sharing our work with you and your organizationA very important part of the purpose of Restorative Resources is sharing the inspiring and valuable philosophy and practices of Restorative Justice and Practices. INTRODUCTION TO RESTORATIVE JUSTICE AND PRACTICES We offer a bi-monthly “Introduction to Restorative Justice” for individuals who are interested in learning more about the work and experience it. Attendees may be interested community members, professionals, and students from our local area and beyond. PRESENTATIONS TO COMMUNITY GROUPS We are regularly asked to present to community service groups, faith-based organizations, and youth groups. We also present to school boards and administrators who may be interested in introducing restorative practices to their school groups. The presentations are lively, interactive and aimed at furthering understanding, giving participants ample opportunity to ask questions and share thoughts. Presentations may include video, personal speakers and testimonials, and a circle engaging the attendees. We can design the presentation to fit your time and needs. Please ask us! Contact Mick Gardner mick@restorativeresources.org or Todd Harper todd@restorativeresources.org PRESENTATIONS TO UNIVERSITIES AND ACADEMIC GROUPS The field of restorative justice and practices is actively growing as a field of academic study and recognized as relevant in the fields of law, criminology, education, psychology, public affairs and many others. Restorative Resources is an expert in the field of Restorative Justice and Practices. We regularly teach both students and professors at Sonoma State University which is part of the California State University system. Our staff is available to provide short, complementary talks to university classes or more extensive, fee-based training. If you have an interest in this process, please contact Todd Harper todd@restorativeresources.org |
Cook Middle School
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