The restorative services we offer focus on the strength and power of families and communities to know what is their own best interest and to handle their own conflicts. These restorative services can help to improve communication pathways between those who have caused harm and those who have been harmed so that all parties may heal and plan for a better future.
Restorative practices are rooted in Indigenous practices and culture, and they focus on restoring relationships. When harm has occurred or there has been a breakdown in a relationship with others, restorative practices can provide processes in which everybody involved in that conflict can come together, talk about the harm that has occurred, and identify together what needs to happen to repair that harm and repair relationships.
Restorative practices are rooted in Indigenous practices and culture, and they focus on restoring relationships. When harm has occurred or there has been a breakdown in a relationship with others, restorative practices can provide processes in which everybody involved in that conflict can come together, talk about the harm that has occurred, and identify together what needs to happen to repair that harm and repair relationships.
Restorative Services
Our team of restorative practitioners can facilitate a wide variety of restorative practices, including but not limited to Family Group Conferences, Circles to Repair Harm, and Restorative Dialogues. We approach facilitation from a strengths-based perspective that affirms the dignity of all participants and is grounded in frameworks of racial equity, positive youth development, and trauma-informed care.
Restorative Practices Training, Coaching, and Mentoring
Our restorative practices training, coaching and mentoring model is designed to deeply and sustainably embed restorative practices into all levels of school and district communities. Through regular, cohort-based engagement in coaching and mentoring, we support district communities in their exploration of restorative practices as well as their development of positive, relationship-centered, non-punitive, trauma-informed school climates and accountability systems. Ultimately, we want to co-create school climates and learning environments in which students of all identities and backgrounds can thrive and feel a strong sense of belonging.
Our Partners
The Y:EARS program is engaged with several restorative services projects, partnering with multiple school districts and diversion programs. Current partners include: Minneapolis Public Schools, St. Paul Public Schools, Anoka-Hennepin School District, Eastern Carvery County School District, Robbinsdale Area Schools, Hennepin County Attorney's Office, Ramsey County Attorney's Office, Minneapolis Police Department, and Hennepin County be@school Truancy Program.
