Foundations of Community-Based Restorative Practices
When it comes to addressing harm and repairing relationships, it can be difficult to know where to start and how to best support those seeking help.
Without the right training and support, it’s easy to make mistakes or unintentionally cause further harm.
Our Foundations training provides volunteers with the knowledge and tools they need to confidently walk alongside individuals seeking harm repair, including topics such as the following:
- History and origins of Restorative Practices
- Essential components of restorative philosophy.
- Restorative Mindset skills and how to cultivate them
- Proactive practices for fostering community and strengthening relationships
- Unlearning cultural biases
Harm Repair Practice Series
Healing from harm isn’t a one-size-fits-all process, and we understand that. That’s why we offer a training series exploring different approaches to healing, including restorative dialogues, support circles, and restorative conferences. Throughout the training, you’ll have opportunities to experience and practice these processes through roleplays and video examples. You’ll learn how to create an approachable and inclusive space for individuals to share their experiences and find their path to healing.
Key topics of our Harm Repair Practice series include:
- Restorative Reflection: Guide individuals in reflecting on their feelings and brainstorming what the next steps could look like.
- Support Circles: Facilitate community gatherings that provide individuals with a supportive environment.
- Restorative Dialogue: Lead dialogues involving two facilitators and the parties involved.
- Restorative Conferencing: Bring together support persons, involved parties, and indirectly affected individuals to foster open communication and healing.
- Harm Repair Circles: Direct these circles less as a facilitator and more as a participant, allowing individuals to lead their own healing process.
Once you complete the training and begin volunteering, our experienced staff members are there to support you every step of the way, so you will continue to develop your skills.
Training Details
Our Foundations Volunteer Training consists of 14 instructional hours, either spread over three days or broken into six shorter sessions. These sessions prepare volunteers to be youth support mentors in our Harm Repair program.
Our Harm Repair Practice Series for those who want to co-facilitate Harm Repair processes is 17 instructional hours, either spread over three days or broken into seven shorter sessions.
These two series are usually offered virtually but could involve an in-person option if there are enough volunteers in one geographic area.
For more information about volunteer roles, click here.
Testimonials
Here’s what volunteers are saying about our training:
- “I think this kind of training is foundational for being HUMAN. I’d highly recommend it to everyone who is interested in a new way of being in the world and building community contracts for repair.”
- “I would definitely recommend the training because the work is so important. The interactivity of the sessions keeps us engaged and interested. It really does feel like a safe space where you can share your genuine thoughts and feelings.”
- “Great opportunity to help the community, trainers included everyone at their own comfort level. Many opportunities to see concepts in action.”
- “The training has a great balance of learning and interactive sections. The trainers are great at modeling restorative mindset.”
- “I highly recommend this training because it gives communities the tools to deal with harm in a healthier and more restorative way. Many people don’t know how to navigate conflict or emotional situations. This training teaches us how to listen, repair trust, and create a safer, more connected environment for everyone.”
Walking Together
At RJP Maine, we believe in walking together through the process of harm repair. As a volunteer, you’ll be a companion on a journey towards healing and restoration. We invite you to join us on this fulfilling journey – not just to learn about restorative practices, but to embody them.
To begin the process of becoming a volunteer, please fill out our volunteer interest form.