Verde Valley News – Northern Arizona Restorative Justice (NARJ) will be hosting a Free Weekend Training in Restorative Practices on Friday and Saturday, November 16 and 17, in Cottonwood.
This training is made possible through funding from the Arizona Community Foundation.
Over the two-day training, NARJ will cover facilitator training, implementation in the classroom and criminal justice, the roots of restorative justice, and provide an opportunity to participate in restorative justice programs. Lunch will be provided for participants on both days.
Restorative Practices are grounded in Restorative Justice theory, rooted in aboriginal and indigenous cultures. Restorative Justice is a way to prevent or respond to harm in a community with an emphasis on healing, social support, and active accountability.
Restorative justice reframes how conflicts or wrongdoings are addressed in communities. Rather than focusing solely on punitive measures, restorative justice aims to repair the harm caused by conflict. Restorative practices are a relational, non-punitive approach to addressing misconduct and conflicts that help support healthy relationships and enhance the community. Victim-Offender Mediation, Conferencing, and Circles. Restorative Practices are used in a variety of settings, from schools, businesses, hospitals, families, and with both juvenile and adult offenders. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, success rates are well above 80%. Restorative justice processes allow all responsible persons equal opportunity to be successful, regardless of their background.
NARJ Executive Director Jeremy Hawkes says, “We use restorative practice to discover what harm has been created and how we can repair the harm without punitive measures. We build character, define shared values and develop a sense of community. Restorative Practices have a proven track record of facilitating positive outcomes.”
NARJ’s free Weekend Restorative Practices Training takes place on Saturday and Sunday, November 16 and 17, from 9 am to 5 pm. For more information or to register please go to www.narj.org. Space is limited.
This training will enrich the work of anyone working with others including teachers, human resources personnel, administrators, peer support personnel, medical professionals, social workers, as well as parents and coaches.
NARJ works with police, probation, community, and education throughout Northern Arizona. The money invested goes directly to work with youth and their families. In addition to working one-on-one with individuals, organizations, and groups, they offer training in restorative circles and practices in the community for volunteers to help facilitate restorative programs.
Founded in 2005, Northern Arizona Restorative Justice is a non-profit regional organization that uses successful, established principles offering all key stakeholders an opportunity to repair the harm suffered as a result of an offense. When victims, offenders, and community members meet to decide how to do that, the results are transformational and strengthen the social fabric of the community. Named a “Rising Star” by the Arizona Community Foundation in 2023, NARJ has an 88% success rate, higher than both the national and state average. For more information about NARJ please go to www.NARJ.org find them on Facebook or contact Executive Director Jeremy Hawkes at 928-202 – 0446.
