Info on Training and Resources on Restorative Justice in MN from Minnesota Peacebuilding Leadership Institute and Restorative Justice Community Action

From Minnesota Peacebuilding Leadership Institute and Restorative Justice Community Action:

What does community well-being mean to you? When you or others in your community feel a lack of connection or a sense of belonging, it can lead to several challenges. These challenges may manifest in feelings of isolation, overwhelm, disempowerment, and distrust.

Adopting or deepening a restorative mindset can significantly enhance communication, empathy, and connection. It empowers us to engage in meaningful conversations, appreciate diverse viewpoints, and build trust and mutual support.

We have personally seen the value of being with each other in this way. RJCA assists those impacted by harm and has facilitated more than 7,000 community conferences and circles over 25 years. MN Peacebuilding has provided training to over 16,000 individuals about trauma awareness, self care for resilience, racial healing and restorative justice principles for over 13 years.

We believe in this work. Today, we want to address a few of the valuable questions you've shared with us after our last email.

Some of you asked about ways that Minnesota is elevating restorative justice. Grassroots efforts and collaboration among many have allowed us to advance restorative measures in several key ways:

• Community-Based Programs: Many look to Minnesota as a leader in restorative practices. Grassroot efforts are envisioning and fueling the work of community organizations and individual practitioners across the state.
• Implementation in Schools: Several schools in Minnesota have adopted restorative practices as an alternative to the traditional punitive disciplinary response.
• Restorative Justice on a County and City Level: Minnesota local governments have been embracing restorative justice practices for both youth and adults for years and are expanding these programs as demand and need increases.
• Implementation on a State Level: Recently, the MN legislature created the new MN Office of Restorative Practices to promote restorative justice. Roll out will begin in 2024.

Another important question that was raised was how you can practice restorative justice in your own life. To begin to explore this big and broad question, here’s a resource to get you started: "How to Engage Others Using a Restorative Mindset."