RRC’s William M. Evans and his organization, Neighborhood Benches, were highlighted in this write-up from the Chronicle of Philanthropy about where and how to effectively redirect funds that are pulled from police.

Members of RRC are supportive of efforts to increase community care (versus – for instance – community policing). If you need support running community care restorative processes in your neighborhood, feel free to reach out to any of us to talk about how we can assist.

With the help of John Jay College’s technology desk, RRC set up and kicked off New York’s first restorative justice listserv. This tool will allow RJ practitioners to co-create and communicate directly with one another. It also offers an entrance to the restorative movement for those who are just learning about it or considering how to integrate it in their work and life. To request to join the NYRJ listserv, go here.

RRC members are currently researching the impacts of historical trauma on restorative justice practice, both the ways in which these traumas enhance and impede our work with participants in the spaces we hold. We use talking circles, literature reviews, journaling, reflective practice in pairs and interviews in order to better understand our topic. Our work is conducted via a Participatory Action Research approach, a democratic research process where participants (traditionally “subjects”) take the lead in selecting study topics that are relevant for us and also carrying out that study in collaboration with academics and other helpers as needed.