Trauma-responsive programming helps to build communities that break cycles of harm and address power imbalances. Restorative Practice and Circle offer a roadmap for doing this effectively.
Restorative Practice supports meaningful healing and change after a harmful event. It centers the needs and dignity of those harmed, those responsible, and the broader community, while examining the systems that contributed to the harm.
Circle is an Indigenous practice rooted in shared values, storytelling and ceremony. Guided by trained Circle Keepers, participants engage in meaningful dialogue grounded in group agreements and lived experience. Through Circle, individuals experience the power of deep listening, build understanding across differences, create space for healing and prevent future harm. In youth care settings, this can lead to an increase in youth voice, deepened youth-staff relationships, staff cohesion, and reduced burnout and turnover.
This 12-hour training is open to any helping professional interested in learning more about Restorative Practice and Circle. This training will take place in Circle, and includes discussion on Restorative Justice, Power Literacy and Circle Practice. In the “safe enough” container of Circle, participants will explore their cultural heritage and experiences with power. Through storytelling in Circle, participants will experience the transformative power of being deeply listened to, and co-creating spaces for learning across difference, healing past harm and preventing future harm. During the second half of this training, participants will practice planning and co-keeping a Circle, and will leave with action steps to continue their learning as a Circle Keeper.
This two-hour workshop is designed for people or teams who are new to learning about Restorative Justice and Circle Practice. Facilitators will offer an overview and brief history of key terms related to these concepts. Video footage and storytelling will illustrate the concepts in practice.
This two-hour experiential workshop takes place in Circle. Two Circle Keepers will offer a brief introduction to Circle Practice and then keep a Community-Building Circle with participants.
This is a monthly workshop series for a cohort of learners who have had some training in Restorative Justice and Circle Practice. These workshops will take place in Circle, allowing participants to learn from each other and build community as they align their work with the principles of Circle and Restorative Justice. Participants are invited to bring questions, issues, and successes from their work to the discussion each month.
Jawaan is a skilled clinician and certified family therapist, dedicated to enhancing family and youth dynamics in the metro Boston area. His approach centers on core values that address trauma, mental health and everyday life challenges. Adept in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention from Cornell, Jawaan expertly employs these techniques in diverse settings, including family therapy and residential group homes. His commitment to restorative justice practices has been instrumental in his work, notably in residential settings and treatment meetings, where he leverages these tools to foster understanding and connection among families and youth.
Previously serving as Assistant Program Director for the Children’s Community Support Collaborative, Jawaan advocated for the integration of Restorative Practices and pioneered intake Circles for youths and families. His expertise in managing Circles extends to addressing complex topics like racism and oppression within staff groups. Jawaan, who holds a Master’s of Social Work from Simmons University, has shared his insights at notable conferences, emphasizing the role of Circles in mental health treatment. Currently, as a family therapist, he continues to empower youth, nurture leadership, and implement innovative therapeutic strategies in community-based and residential settings.
Romeissa is an occupational therapist and manager at The Home for Little Wanderers. As the first group home occupational therapist at the agency, she created the foundations for the current OT department, using an evidence-based, trauma- and attachment-informed, occupation-focused and client-centered framework.
Romeissa keeps peacemaking Circles with youth, parents and staff, along with promoting principles of restorative practice in meetings, conflict mediations, group therapy and individual sessions.
As a former criminal and civil law attorney and higher education executive, Naomi brings over 20 years of diversity, equity and inclusion experience and passion for social justice to nonprofit work.
Naomi earned a Bachelor of Arts from Colgate University and a Juris Doctor from Suffolk Law School.
Currently, Naomi serves as the Director of DEIB for The Home for Little Wanderers, where she incorporates Circle practices to build community and resolve conflict. Naomi is the proud mother of her son, Benjamin.
Blanca is a Latina licensed clinician, trainer/teacher, healer, circle keeper and coach. Blanca founded Vida Wellness and Counseling in 2022, an organization committed to the healing, wellness and liberation of historically marginalized communities. Blanca’s work for over 25 years has been centered in social justice and anti-oppressive practices that are centered in uplifting voices, holistic healing and in the well-being of individuals, communities and organizations, using Circle practice to engage in courageous conversations to transform conflict into healing, hope and connection.
Elizabeth completed a Master’s of Social Work at Simmons University in Boston. She earned a post-graduate certificate in Family Systems Therapy from Therapy Training Boston, is an ITCT-A (Integrative Treatment of Complex Trauma) certified clinician, a Therapeutic Crisis Intervention certified instructor, and a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT). Since 2004, Elizabeth has been working with youth, families and adults impacted by complex trauma. Elizabeth has experience in residential management, family therapy, crisis intervention/prevention and care coordination for youth and their families in group home, outpatient and community-based settings. Elizabeth’s work focuses on creating programs and practices that embrace transformative responses to harm, keep families together and minimize the length of out-of-home mental health treatment. Elizabeth currently works as a trainer of clinical interventions and anti-oppressive practices; and as a clinical supervisor and family therapist.
In 2012, Elizabeth began incorporating Restorative Practice and Circles into the milieu of a residential treatment program at The Home for Little Wanderers. Initially the focus was on staff support, and then community-building and conflict resolution amongst the youth in residence. These practices grew to include parents and siblings, keeping Circles as a way to center youth and family voice at all points in treatment. From 2012 to 2015, Elizabeth was an active member of the MA Restorative Justice Collaborative, a cross-sector group of practitioners and activists who hosted events on Restorative Justice, including an international Restorative Justice conference at Harvard Law School. Elizabeth has facilitated workshops on Restorative and Transformative Justice and Circle practice across the United States and Europe. Elizabeth founded and co-facilitates a Restorative Practice Work Group at The Home for Little Wanderers, which meets monthly in Circle to deepen each program’s understanding of Circle process and restorative responses to harm.
To view or register for our upcoming trainings, please click below.
For questions or inquiries, please contact us at
training@thehome.org
Find The Home among other organizations that offer restorative justice services on the NACRJ's Restorative Justice Map and Directory.
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