building | healing
Communities

Conflict management

Community justice

Community-building

Visioning

Planning

Serious Crimes Conference
  (murder and other serious incidents of harm)

Victim Offender Dialogue
Family conflict
Workplace conflict
Community healing
Community celebration
Staff development and team building

  
This two-day facilitator training is typically part of a Program Development Package.   Training includes dialogue about core values of RJ and conflict transformation, a variety of experiential learning opportunities,  exploration of oppression and power imbalances in relation to this work, and the role of emotion in dealing with conflict.

There are dozens of places to get trained in a restorative justice process, but there are precious few places to get help with building and sustaining an RJ program (which is by far the hardest part of building RJ).  Lauren founded the first conferencing program in urban America, and shares the million and one lessons experienced so that no one has to reinvent the wheel . 

Get help with:
     Program design
     Sustaining quality services
     Effective operations/systems
     Impact and outcomes
 

Human beings are mammals.  Mammals are different than reptiles in that we have a limbic system that is uniquely wired with biological  "apps" that promote our survival--like bonding with our young, emotions, and empathy.   Tragically, many of our institutions (like education and justice) ignore our biology; they focus on separation over connection, rationality over emotion, and punishment over empathy and accountability.  This presentation engages participants in learning  how to build effective schools, fair justice and connected communities through restorative approaches that honor our biology instead of ignoring it.

Restorative Approaches Overview

Dialogue Circle Facilitation

Community Conferencing Facilitation

The Role of Emotion in Conflict transformation

Trauma, Learning and Restorative Approaches

Stress, Kindness, and Mindfulness

Biology of conflict and managing it

We can no longer ignore the impact that trauma has on our behavior--for children and adults alike.  Learn about what trauma/toxic stress does to our ability to pay attention, learn, and have healthy relationships.   Develop skills for identifying and responding constructively to "bad behavior."  Create a practice for being mindful, and for helping others manage their reactivity through simple and doable exercises.   Workshops are individually tailored so they are developmentally appropriate.

See how Baltimore residents transformed their own crimes and conflicts using Community Conferencing

See how young people and adults in various school communities have used Daily Rap dialogue circles to build healthy connections, resolve minor conflicts, and create a meaningful sense of community.

Lauren gives a 2011 talk at Ignite Baltimore about the ways that Baltimore residents have resolved their own crimes and conflicts, without going to court, in their own neighborhoods.