Amplify RJ (Restorative Justice)

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Last week, I spent 24 hours supporting teachers in running restorative justice classroom circles, and the impact was powerful. In this episode, I’m sharing what I witnessed—the challenges, the breakthroughs, and the small but meaningful shifts that happen when teachers commit to building relationships, not just managing behavior.

🔹 How teachers are integrating circles into their classrooms
🔹 The impact on student relationships, behavior & learning
🔹 Why rituals for “softness” matter in schools
🔹 Lessons on patience, trust & shifting school culture

Whether you’re an educator, school leader, or RJ practitioner, this episode will give you practical insights on how to make restorative practices sustainable in classrooms.

🔗 Resources & Next Steps:
✨ Join the free Amplify RJ community & access the other courses & membership resources: https://community.amplifyrj.com/communities/groups/arjcommunity/home?invite=67dc711150ec55e8a8a03a1b
✨ Download my Classroom Connection Prompts (Pay What You Can!): https://amplifyrj.com/questions-for-connected-classrooms
✨ Want training for your school? Let’s talk! Email: [email protected]

📌 If this episode resonates, leave a review & "amplify" by sharing with someone who'd benefit!

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Tap in for an important conversation about the election, community care, and building a more just and equitable world, no matter who wins, through a restorative justice lens.

Voting ends in about 24 in most spaces so its not too late, especially if you're considering casting a protest vote.

Vote Harris in a swing state to defeat Trump.

Cast a protest vote in a safe state to put Dems on notice.

Go to swapyourvote.org to pledge and stay connected!

Visit swapyourvote.org for more info.

But there are parts of this conversation that apply to the rest of this week, and your political life moving forward.

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This episode pays tribute to the late Ted Lewis, a remarkable figure in restorative justice, whose life and work provide profound insights into this balance.

We explore how his bicultural upbringing and Mennonite roots led him into mediation and facilitation. We also reflect on Ted's legacy, balancing systemic change while addressing relational harm on the micro-level. We also explore the "Listening to the Movement" project as Ted brought together many of the RJ thought leaders to examine how RJ has evolved from a programmatic approach to a broader social paradigm.

Support for Ted's family through their GoFundMe to continue honor his impact and legacy.

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Eric Butler passed away this summer. We're re-airing this conversation in his honor. He was internationally recognized for his impactful work as a restorative justice practitioner, activist, and educator in Oakland and beyond. He went on to found the “Talking Peace” model of Restorative Justice, a set of practices and philosophy aimed at building relationships through shared values. 

Support his family at their gofundme
Check out the documentary Circles featuring his work

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(Today) 10/31/24 You'll here the very first episode of This RJ Life with Cheryl Graves my mentor, elder, OG! She had a stroke this summer and it's important for me to make sure that those who didn't get to hear from, learn from her directly get the opportunity to.

Our conversation covers her start in the work, her famous "Aaron" story, and so much more.

You can Support Cheryl's Healing on their gofundme.

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After a long break, I'm back! I'll be back next week with more info and new content, but for the next few days I'm sharing 3 episodes from the archives.
(Today) 10/31/24 You'll here the very first episode of This RJ Life with Cheryl Graves my mentor, elder, OG! She had a stroke this summer and it's important for me to make sure that those who didn't get to hear from, learn from her directly get the opportunity to. You can Support Cheryl's Healing on their gofundme.

Nov. 1-2 (Day of the Dead/Dia de los Muertos/All Saints Day), I'll be sharing conversations with two elders in the RJ community who made their transitions this summer. 11/1 Eric Butler and 11/2 Ted Lewis 

Glad to be back in community with y'all in this way again!

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My friend and mentor Shedrick Sanders passed a way last weekend. 

To honor his memory we're revisiting our conversation from Fall 2020 detailing his journey from standing up to bullies as a young boy to becoming an esteemed peacemaker and problem solver. He shared his transformative experiences ranging from teaching math in Ghana to facilitating peace circles in Chicago. Shedrick's incredible knack for conflict resolution and mediation is unearthed through his thrilling anecdotes from his time in the Peace Corps and the Dispute Settlement Center. His unique approach of intertwining play, joy, and relationship building with conflict resolution is something that has had a lasting impact.

If you're part of the Chicago Restorative Justice Community and want to join a circle of remembrance and celebration. Join Circle for Circle Keepers on Monday, November 13th from 4-6pm CST at Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation. 

email: [email protected] for more info.

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Our conversation with Saniah Brown Jones is the last in our series highlighting Restorative Justice in South Florida. She shares her wisdom and experiences as a young person who's been impacted by the RJ work and programing of our previous contributors. This episode is not just about Saniah's growth, but also about how restorative justice transforms lives, builds confidence, and creates spaces for growth and healing. This discussion is a testament to the power of understanding and the importance of providing safe spaces for growth.

Support Saniah!
Website:
https://www.fanmsaj.org/
https://www.floridarestorativejustice.com/

Socials:
https://www.instagram.com/fanmsajinc/
https://www.instagram.com/frja_rjustice/
https://www.instagram.com/niahh.bxbyy/

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Jose Dominguez is a youth organizer at Power U, focusing on campaigns against the school-to-prison pipeline and advocating for restorative justice practices in schools. 

Our conversation touched on contentious topics like police presence in schools, queer liberation, and homophobia in the church. Jose emphasized the power of grace and communication in addressing these issues. We also explored the importance of political education in a way that doesn't resort to punitive or shaming measures for those who may disagree with the organization's views.

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Cindy Mahendar is a Training and Operations Manager for the Healing and Justice Center and an alumni of Dream Defenders.

Our conversation takes a fascinating turn as Cindy discusses the alternative initiatives implemented by the Healing and Justice Center. From a mobile crisis unit to a peacemaker team, Cindy and her team paint a picture of a reimagined approach to navigating conflict and harm. Her candid sharing of the project's highs and lows offers a thorough understanding of the unique challenges and rewards of their work.

Support Cindy!
Websites:
https://www.dreamdefenders.org/
https://www.healingandjusticecenter.org/

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