restorative practices
Restorative practices can be utilized to improve schools, workplaces, community groups, and personal relationships. Each Restorative Practice is tailored to fit the unique needs of the attendees.
what is restorative practice?
Restorative Practice is an emerging social science that studies how to strengthen relationships between individuals as well as social connections within communities. Restorative Practices are used proactively to:
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build community
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strengthen relationships
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value different voices and perspectives
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communicate in healthy ways that do not judge and blame
why use restorative practice?
When problems do occur, you have an array of responses to choose from. Restorative Practice provides opportunities address concerns and solve problems, and when there is wrongdoing, play an active role in addressing the wrong and making things right. The aim of Restorative Practice is to:
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peacefully resolve conflicts
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repair harm
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restore relationships
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improve human behavior
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provide effective leadership
I have never been through a more effective session that empowers team members from the first moment to achieve greatness for themselves, each other, our organization, and our community we serve.
-President and CEO, Air Zoo
types of practices
Restorative Conference
Restorative Conferencing is a structured process for resolving conflict using a trained facilitator in which all participants involved in the conflict come together to talk about what happened and how they would like to move forward. The process is voluntary and often involves additional community members or support people. The facilitator is trained to manage the conversation while not taking sides or advising the participants. Restorative Conferencing can be used as an alternative to a traditional punitive response.
Community Restorative Justice
The Community Restorative Justice Program at Gryphon Place is intended to bring Restorative Practices to our wider Kalamazoo community. We do this through trainings, participation in various working groups and nonprofit organizations, and providing an opportunity for conflict resolution through Restorative Conferencing.
Restorative Circle
A Circle is a versatile Restorative Practice that can be used proactively, to develop relationships and build community; or reactively, as a response to wrongdoing and other problems. Circles give participants an opportunity to speak and listen to one another in a unique way with the hope of building trust and deepening relationships. Circles are helpful for fostering and maintaining a healthy community in which all members feel connected and respected.
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Proactive Circles can be used for community building, brainstorming ideas, assessing needs, celebrating, creating classroom or workplace guidelines, teaching curriculum and more.
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Responsive Circles can be used for problem-solving, processing incidents and traumatic events, and higher level conflict resolution.
Restorative Practice Training
A Restorative Practices training offers an overview of Restorative philosophy and mindset and teaches tools and skills along the continuum of Restorative Practices. The skills and tools range from informal to formal and are versatile and applicable to any aspect of work or life. The training offers opportunities to practice these skills and suggestions for how to put them into use in everyday life.
core beliefs
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Everyone’s VOICE is important. Different perspectives are welcome. Restorative Practices emphasize listening over assuming, empathy and understanding over judgement.
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All members of the COMMUNITY are responsible to and for each other. Each person’s actions affect the health of the community.
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RELATIONSHIPS are at the heart of our communities. A culture based upon mutual respect, trust and inclusion allows us to push toward the limits of our capacity and creativity while feeling supported and encouraged.
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When conflict occurs, HEALING is essential to restoring community. In order to have true healing after a conflict, all people involved in the conflict must come together and play an active role in repairing the harm.
schedule a session
If you or your organization would like to engage in Restorative Practices and the life-altering impact it can have in our community, schools, workplaces or in your own personal life, please schedule a service! We can get you started on a path to a more Restorative way of thinking and living.
QUESTIONS?
if you have any questions about Restorative Practice, please contact:
partners
