Our work in Downeast Maine
Community Circles:
The foundation of all of our work is our commitment to community building. We hold Community Circles for youth or adults, and have facilitators available for circles you would like to hold. We also coach and guide groups and organizations through the process of holding their own Community Circles. Community Circles help us all to connect with each other, and be seen and heard.
Our work with Schools:
- Encourage the use of Restorative Practices in schools (which leads to positive school culture), and promote the use of restorative discipline policies that do not separate youth from school (e.g. suspensions, etc.), holding them accountable yet still connected to school;
- Support schools that have begun, or are in the process of making, the transition toward a restorative approach with our county-wide school network. Problem behaviors that can lead to suspension, such as substance use, stealing or fighting, are very often indicators of deeper underlying problems. Restorative Practices can prevent problem behavior from escalating into the community or into criminal charges. This approach offers a structure for assessing the needs of the youth(s) and school community while addressing the root causes of problem behaviors;
- Make our Harm Repair referral process directly, immediately, available to schools when addressing behaviors in which there is harmful impact on self or others (if this incident also entails a juvenile charge, these cases often get referred to the DRJ two months after the fact by the courts).
Our Harm Repair work:
- We accept referrals for our Harm Repair processes from community members, case managers, and organizations as well as the Office of the District Attorney, Community Corrections Officers and Witness Victim Advocates;
- The particular type of process depends on the extent and degree of harm experienced and the needs of all those affected by a harmful incident. It can range from small restorative conversations to large conferences sometimes involving additional parallel processes with individual participants;
- Typically the Community Resolution Process is made up of all affected stakeholders (those who have caused harm, those who were harmed, each of their support people, and often also law enforcement representatives and community members– who meet in a facilitated process to reflect on the harm and impact of the crime).
- After first meeting with all parties individually, often several times, the group meets to work together to create a repair agreement that directly addresses the harm and the specific and measurable steps that need to be completed in order to make things ‘as right as possible’ and to reduce the likelihood that a similar incident reoccurs.
- The group reconvenes at a Closing to discuss how things have evolved and to determine if they are satisfied with the work that has taken place. If so, for Justice System referrals, this typically means that criminal charges will be reduced or dismissed. If the group is not satisfied the case is referred back to the court.
Community Volunteers:
We train community volunteers whose role is to foster accountability, honesty, integrity and empathy while serving as positive role models, and supporting the youth and adults who participate in our programs. Community Volunteers receive on-going training, support and supervision. Please contact us if you are interested in becoming a volunteer.