The 10th National Conference on Community and Restorative Justice convened on July 7-10, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. A delegation of Restorative Justice Project Maine staff attended the national conference to connect, learn, and share.
I’ve come away from this conference feeling reinvigorated in my passion for and dedication to this work. It was inspiring to see how many people and organizations across the country are truly embodying the spirit of restorative practices, and are doing so with joy and resilience. I attended sessions that taught me about the indigenous roots of the work, that encouraged me to reconnect with my own personal history in relation to restorative practices, and that homed in on practical skills like refining data collection and designing sustainable organizational roles for staff. I’m looking forward to sharing some of the resources I brought home at future staff meetings.
— Charlotte Cramer, Director of Youth Services
I was surprised to see all the ways that restorative justice is being used across the country, and to recognize that there is so much support, innovation, and collaboration for restorative justice. It was inspiring and generated hope for the future. I learned about the neuroscience of why restorative justice helps people to process harm and trauma, regulate, and achieve new neural and community connections. This experience inspires me to continue the work we’re doing, partner with our communities, and keep imagining the world we aspire to be.
— Sarah Dyer, Director of Treatment Court Relations and Education
This was one of the most impactful conferences I have attended in my professional career. I attended some sessions that were based in personal growth and healing, while also attending sessions that would directly impact my work here in Lewiston with youth gun violence. I started the conference in a session called “Holding the Holders: A Restorative Circle for Harm Repair Practitioners,” where we took time to really lean into our needs to keep moving forward in this extremely difficult and emotionally taxing work in our own communities. I also spent time with youth who have committed serious acts of violence; I asked them what helped them shift from causing harm to helping others repair the harm they have caused. We discussed a great deal about peer mentorship, and how it made the difference in their lives.
— Taylor Lovering, Restorative Justice Manager
