Empower Change & Volunteer with Restorative Justice Project Maine
At Restorative Justice Project Maine, we believe in the transformative power of community. Our volunteers play a crucial role not only in expanding our capacity, but also in broadening the knowledge and application of restorative justice in our communities.
We promote healing, understanding, and relationship-building. Volunteering with us offers you the chance to make a significant difference. Whether you’re supporting a young person working through a harm repair process, facilitating a group discussion, or helping with administrative tasks, your contribution matters. What’s more: volunteering with us allows for flexibility; you can start in one role and transition into another based on your interests and the needs of the community.
We Promote Belonging
Community-building is strengthened by inviting and uplifting diverse perspectives and lived-experience. Our work centers the voices of those involved with harm, including harms by systems of oppression. We are actively seeking those who self-identify with underrepresented communities to join our team of volunteers, including people of color, LGBTQIA+, Indigenous, non-cisgender, and/or justice-impacted.
Volunteering with RJP [Maine] has allowed me to make a tangible difference in my community. It’s rewarding to see the positive impacts of restorative justice firsthand.
-RJP Volunteer
RJP Maine Volunteer Roles
We offer various opportunities to contribute that suit different skill sets and interests. Volunteers participate on committees, provide administrative support, participate on project-based teams, and support restorative processes.
We rely heavily on volunteers to support our Youth Harm Repair Program in various roles. To get a better understanding of our harm repair roles, please review the descriptions below.
Co-Facilitator
Create space for people impacted by an incident of harm to share their perspectives on what happened and how they were affected. Lead restorative processes such as restorative reflection, harm repair conferences, and closing circles.
Support Mentor
Provide accountability to assigned young person by helping them complete their repair agreements, serving as a listening ear, and develop a positive, supportive relationship.
Surrogate
We engage surrogates to represent the impact of the harm if the original party harmed is unable to participate. The surrogate is not involved in the incident itself, but can speak to the needs they had as someone with their own experience of similar harm.
Community Member
Participate in the restorative process with a willingness to speak from their own experience as a member of the community, offering insight into the impact of the harm, and supporting making things right.
To learn more about these roles and other volunteer opportunities we have available, fill out a Volunteer Interest Form. We’ll guide you through the next steps to find the right role for you!