Restorative Practice Advocates to Host the Third Annual Restorative Justice Day at UB
In a large interdisciplinary effort, several departments across the University at Buffalo are collaborating with the Erie County Restorative Justice Coalition, a non-profit advocating for Restorative Practices across Erie County, to host the Fourth Annual Restorative Justice Day on April 13, 2019 from 9am to 5pm. Located in Diefendorf Hall on UB’s South Campus, Restorative Justice Day 2019 will be a free event that promotes and educates the public on Restorative Practices and how they can be used in schools, communities, and the legal system.
With this year’s theme of “A Restorative Life: One Circle at A Time,” the event will include workshops that focus on using restorative practices to empower youth and communities, increase trauma-informed care within the school system, and create best practices to provide greater impacts in areas such as the justice system. Keynote Speakers for the event are Dr. Robert Spicer, CEO, National Trainer, and Speaker for Restorative Strategies, LLC and Bob Costello, Assistant Commissioner for Organizational Development at the NYC Department of Probation. In addition, there will be cultural performances drawing on the indigenous roots of Restorative Practices.
“How do we foster positive healthy communities? We know that strong positive relationships build strong positive communities and when there is a breakdown in those relationships there needs to be an effective process in place to repair and restore those relationships. This is the definition of Restorative Practices,” said Dina Thompson, Board President at Erie County Restorative Justice Coalition. “This year, we will explore the impacts of historical trauma, Restorative Practices in schools and the justice system, empowering youth through circles, and discover health and wellness through circles. You will also leave with some practical skills in how to begin building a strong positive community where we all can live and thrive.”
To learn more about the conference and/or become involved, please contact Dina Thompson at [email protected] or call (716) 816-8830.
