Coming This Summer…
Foundations in Restorative Practices
Hybrid Summer Intensive
August 3rd – 7th
Collaboration with UMaine Dept. of Lifelong Learning
Awaken the Power of Restorative Practices
When disruptions occur in relationships – whether it’s racial injustice, crime, boundary violations, or causing harm to others – it can be difficult to find meaningful solutions that honor everyone involved. Current approaches can often leave everyone feeling unheard or marginalized, and the healing process is often neglected.
This lack of restorative justice practices perpetuates cycles of harm and fails to address the underlying causes of these disruptions, leading to unresolved conflict and ongoing tension within communities.
Restorative Justice Project Maine offers a different approach. We invite you to explore a worldview centered around being in “right relationship” with one another and everything around us. Through our programs and resources, we facilitate spaces for dialogue, healing, and decision-making that are grounded in restorative wisdom, honoring indigenous and native teachings. By embracing this restorative mindset, we can collectively work towards healing, growth, and building stronger communities.
Unraveling the Essence of Restorative Practices
Restorative justice is a way of addressing crime and other types of harmful behavior that create space for those affected to discuss the impact of the incident and identify a way to repair the harm. Restorative Practices, however, extend beyond this: they’re about proactively creating a culture where relationships are valued, trust is fostered, individual dignity and autonomy are honored, and our interdependence is acknowledged. In such a culture, harm is less likely to occur in the first place and is easier to handle when it does happen.
At RJP Maine, it’s also core to our values to honor the wisdom of indigenous and native communities ingrained in these practices. Our approach isn’t about appropriating these practices, but rather learning from them, honoring them, and applying their teachings in our programs.
Continuing Education Training
The Foundations of Restorative Practices program, delivered through the University of Maine’s Cooperative Extension, is designed to help individuals navigate conflicts and build stronger, healthier communities. During six days spread across three or four months, participants engage in discussions, exercises, and practical activities that deepen their understanding of restorative practices.
The Foundations program equips participants with non-adversarial communication and problem-solving tools, helping them create safer and more equitable environments.
Rooted in indigenous peacemaking traditions, the program emphasizes respect for these roots and encourages participants to not only learn, but embody restorative practices in their everyday lives and work.
Volunteer Training
Our Volunteer Training program offers a comprehensive exploration of both proactive restorative practices and harm repair. By equipping new volunteers with the skills and knowledge to effectively support individuals seeking harm repair, you’ll be prepared to work with restorative practices.
Training sessions focus on various aspects of restorative practices and harm repair processes— including one-on-one reflective conversations, support circles, restorative dialogues, and more. Guided by experienced staff members, volunteers learn to facilitate rather than fix, embodying the principles of restorative practices in their interactions.
Upon completion, volunteers become mentors and facilitators, supporting others on their journey towards healing and restoration.
School Training
This transformative School Training Program is designed to equip educators with the skills and knowledge required to implement restorative practices in their schools.
RJP Maine provides ongoing support and coaching, helping educators navigate the unique challenges of implementing restorative justice practices in schools. The training includes breakout groups for peer support and implementational coaching to ensure the smooth application of restorative practices.
In order to be effective, it’s imperative that school personnel make the time commitment needed to change the school culture (failure to do so will affect the degree of success to bring about positive change). By fostering understanding, empathy, and growth among students and staff, this program aims to change not only policies and responses, but also build a positive culture that influences generations.
Organizational/Institutional Support & Training
Our Organizational/Institutional Support & Training program is specifically designed for professionals in social service and healthcare sectors. The training aims to provide necessary support and education, meeting requirements for contact hours while enhancing professionals’ skills in restorative practices.
Customized to suit specific professional contexts, the training offers foundational content that remains consistent across all sectors, including two core training programs: Foundations in Restorative Practices and Harm Repair (described below).
These programs empower professionals to foster stronger, healthier relationships in their fields, promoting understanding, repair, and growth.
Our Core Training Series
At the heart of our work are two live training programs that cater to various needs and are offered either in-person or virtually:
- Foundations in Restorative Practices: This comprehensive program provides individuals with a deep understanding of restorative principles and practices. This training equips participants with the skills and knowledge needed to foster understanding and strengthen relationships within their communities, as well as to bring restorative principles into their daily lives. Key features include:
- Extensive exploration of restorative principles and practices
- Hands-on experience through role-plays and video examples
- Guidance on facilitating community-building circles
- A 120-page resource guide and a set of supplemental prerecorded sessions.
- Harm Repair: This program is designed for volunteers, educators, and organizations who wish to learn about the unique needs and challenges of individuals seeking harm repair. The program delves into various processes, such as restorative reflection, support circles, harm repair circles, and more. (Please note: completion of the Foundations training is a prerequisite for this program.) Key features include:
- In-depth study of harm repair processes
- Tailored approaches to unique harm repair situations
- Exploration of different healing methodologies
- Creation of inclusive spaces for individuals to share and heal
We also offer an additional prerecorded training that can be accessed online at any time that works for you:
- Responding to Racial Harm Using Restorative Practices: This series focuses on racial equity work, providing resources to counteract microaggressions and address racially-based harm. To receive the videos and accompanying resources in your inbox, follow this link.
Respect for Indigenous Roots
Restorative practices have deep roots in indigenous peacemaking and knowledge. We honor the diverse traditions of global indigenous communities living in alignment with what we now refer to as restorative justice and restorative practices. We remain humble, knowing that these practices came before us and will outlast us.
Join Us at RJP Maine
Our training programs aren’t just about imparting knowledge; they’re about sparking conversations, sharing ideas, learning together and awakening a sense of community. We invite you to join us on this journey toward understanding, healing, and growth. Together, we can make a difference.
