DRJ is excited about sponsoring and hosting a two day training July 16 & 17, Lead our Reducing Sexism and Violence Program
Maine Boys to Men has 25 years of experience as an organization in helping boys reach their full potential in cultivating leadership, self-discovery, and self-reflection in order to challenge sexism and stand up as leaders to prevent, interrupt, and ultimately end gender bias, harassment, abuse and violence.
This training shares their knowledge with us so that we may reach the youth we work with here in Hancock County. This training is ideal for educators, administrators, social workers, clinicians, parole officers, parents, domestic violence advocates, counselors, athletic coaches, facilitators, and volunteers… ideally, anyone working with youth!
The Training covers six topics over two days:
- Building Support & Safety – “Why boys?”
- Gender Stereotypes
- Empathy & Consent
- Beyond the Binary & Narrow Masculinity
- Upstander Intervention
- Facilitation & Storytelling Techniques
There is a $195 fee for the two day training and you may register directly on the Maine Boys to Men sign-up webpage. We are working on finding ways to help defray some of the cost for individuals through a sliding scale. Please let us know if you would need economic support to participate.
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3 Info-Sessions & Workshop series
Please join us for a Downeast Restorative Justice Info-Session! These free info-session will be an opportunity to learn about restorative practices, restorative justice, and transformative justice. We will also cover what Downeast Restorative Justice’s school and other regional programs are. This will be a hybrid in-person/zoom events (please reach out for the Zoom link). Choice days, May 4, May 6 or May 7 at different locations.
This will be a hybrid in-person/zoom events (please reach out for the Zoom link). Choice days, May 4, May 6 or May 7 at different locations.
The follow-up Community Workshops, will offer a deeper exploration of: restorative practices, circle keeping, engaging in difficult conversations, using case studies as working examples for Trauma Informed Practices. Info-session and workshops will also allow you to become a DRJ volunteer in your community!
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JUSTICE, AND CREATIVE EXERCISE
an Inclusive Community Conversation
NOVEMBER 19, 2 pm
JOIN US for a dynamic, invigorating discussion about the state of justice, inside and outside the system, inside and outside our own selves, and the powerful promise of the arts to effect change.
Facilitated by Larraine Brown and Norman Kehling of AIMe
AIMe – Artivism in Maine employs the arts and culture as powerful tools to effect social, economic and environmental justice throughout Waldo County and Maine. HIIT (Helping Incarcerated Individuals Transition) is a significant project sponsored by AIMe and founded by Norman Kehling. Mr Kehling was sentenced to forty four years and served thirty years at Maine State Prison, seven of those in solitary confinement. Both education and the arts are important in Mr Kehling’s life as a free man. Most important is his commitment to work for the rights of those who are still incarcerated.
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FROM WITHIN
DRJ is excited about co-sponsoring this event!
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Community Building Circles @ Blue Hill Coop
Downeast Restorative Justice is the organization-of-the-month at the Blue Hill Coop for September. As part of the Change For Good ( round-up-donations) DRJ will hold Four Community Building Circles in the Cafe.
Conversations will range on topics such as: community & inclusion, freedom & responsibility, accountability & healing, building school community & resolving conflicts .
These circles will be held on Wednesday September 13 (Sept 27 Canceled) at 5pm, and Saturday September 9 & 23 at 10am. We ask that interested participants arrive a couple minutes early
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Ongoing Events and Trainings
We welcome you to join us!
Our Monthly Community Board meetings are the second Thursday of each month from 6:00-7:00. Please reach out if you would like to attend a meeting.
We offer info-sessions and periodic Community Volunteer Trainings. Please let us know if you can not make the next scheduled ones, but would like to be notified of following ones.
Up Coming Info-Sessions:
Our info-session and discussion explore the philosophy and practices of Restorative Practices, Restorative Justice, and Transformative Justice, and offer and introduction to our regional programs.
Zoom attendance is possible, please contact us for the link
- Monday July 17, 5:00 -7:00 pm: Blue Hill Public Library, Blue Hill
- Saturday July 22, 9:30-11:30 am: St Brendan, 627 North DI Rd, Deer Isle
- Tuesday July 25, 5:00-7:00 pm: INSPIRE Center, Ellsworth
Up Coming Community Volunteer Training:
Following an info-session, for those interested more actively engaging with us, our Volunteer Trainings offer a deeper dive into restorative practices as we cover some skill sets using case studies as working examples.
- Saturday July 29 (9:30-11:30 & 12-2:30 pm) & Tuesday Aug 1 (5-7 pm)
Restorative Schools Network Meeting
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DRJ Newsletter
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DRJ in Education
Our work with schools
Downeast Restorative Justice provides professional development for schools. We also provide training, coaching and lead education sessions with students as well.
Our goals are to:
1. 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 necessarily separate youth from school (e.g. suspensions, etc.), holding them accountable yet connected to school; and,
2. Supporting 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 victim, school community and offender in addressing the root causes of problem behaviors.;
3. Making the CRC referral process directly available to schools when addressing behaviors that lead to suspensions or expulsions (if this incident also entails a juvenile charge, these cases often get referred to the DRJ two months after the fact by the courts).
Interested in bringing Downeast Restorative Practices to your school? Please contact [email protected]
Download our School and Community Brochure
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DRJ in the Ellsworth American
“The impact on society is enormous: lost productivity of individuals incarcerated, destruction or theft of property, the costs of keeping millions of inmates in our prisons and jails, plus the untold burdens suffered by crime victims. We are all affected — directly or indirectly.”
“Thus it is encouraging to observe that several Hancock County citizens have elected to work on an alternative process of handling young offenders.”
Read more in the Ellsworth American