Restorative Justice Institute

06/02/2026

Restorative justice is so much more than addressing conflict and harm. This powerful story of the peer mentorship program at Ellenville Elementary (NY state) is a perfect example of how restorative practices can proactively create belonging, ease anxiety and transitions, and foster cultures of resilience among people of all ages. Building skills of human connection is one of the most important things we can teach, and restorative justice is one of the most effective toolkits we have to create communities where everyone can thrive.

Special thanks to our storyteller and Community of Practice member, Briana Mangram!

https://rjinstitute.org/more-than-a-mentorship-program-boosting-student-belonging-with-briana-mangram/

In 2023, inside the halls of Ellenville Elementary, the sixth graders all said the same thing in their classrooms: “Ms. Mangram, I’m terrified of going to the Junior/Senior High School.” […]

05/22/2026

Professional development opportunity: Starting June 15 - Join our 8-week course on building core restorative justice skills, led by our Executive Director, Melody Stanford Martin, author of Brave Talk https://rjinstitute.org/event/core-skills-restorative-justice-summer-2026/

This is a great professional development opportunity and a chance to deepen in your understanding of transforming conflict and building resilient relationships.

Core Skills in Restorative Justice is a cohort-based training for people who want practical, relational tools for navigating conflict, facilitating dialogue, strengthening accountability, and building healthier communities and organizations. Over […]

04/28/2026

Calling all project managers and organizational leaders —

We're excited to announce a hands-on, 2-day live virtual training that teaches practical restorative skills for the workplace: how to strengthen project planning, improve communication, support accountability, and help teams navigate conflict in ways that protect relationships and improve outcomes.

📅 May 28–29, 2026 | 9am–3pm EST
🌱 Sliding scale registration

MEET YOUR TRAINER
Martin Henson is a systems strategist, restorative justice practitioner, and certified project management professional specializing in human-centered approaches to complex organizational challenges. He brings 10+ years of experience designing systems rooted in trust and shared responsibility.

Spaces are limited. Registration is open:
🔗 rjinstitute.org/event/building-alignment-training-may-2026

Building Organizational and Project Alignment through Restorative Practice is a two-day learning experience designed for people who want a practical foundation in applying restorative tools within project-based and organizational settings. […]

04/21/2026

Many of us were never taught how to handle conflict—we were taught to try to win, run away, or punish.

But these responses rarely lead to real accountability or healthy communities.

Restorative justice offers another way — a way that centers relationships. Restorative practices are how this shows up in everyday life — how we listen, respond, take responsibility, and move forward together.

Conflict doesn’t have to be the end of connection. Handled differently, it can become a doorway to stronger relationships and deeper understanding.

What becomes possible when we respond to conflict differently?

Learn more → rjinstitute.org

01/29/2026

Learn the fundamentals of restorative justice facilitation in this two-day online training March 13 & 14 - Registration is open!

Program Overview The Restorative Justice Level 1 Facilitator Training is a foundational learning experience for people who want to begin facilitating restorative conversations, circles, and processes with confidence, care, and […]

01/21/2026

Over the past several months, we’ve been taking time for deep reflection as an organization. We've asked ourselves how we could live more fully into our mission, grow with intention, and support communities across a wider range of contexts.

That process has led to a total redesign of our organization and work — and eventually, to a name that better reflects who we are becoming.

We’re still proudly rooted in Maine; we're also opening the doors to anyone who could benefit from support in restorative practices.

So today, we’re excited to share our new name and identity: The Restorative Justice Institute (RJI).

This change reflects our commitment to building restorative cultures, supporting people and organizations through conflict, and creating spaces for learning, accountability, and connection — wherever that work is needed.

We’re grateful to everyone who has been part of this journey so far, and we are excited for things to come!

Learn more and get involved at https://rjinstitute.org.

12/15/2025

I’m excited to share that I’ve stepped into the role of Interim Director of the Restorative Justice Institute of Maine.

Over the past few months, our team has been working behind the scenes to re-envision the Institute to deepen our work as a training, consulting, facilitation, and innovation hub.

As we build out our expanded programs, we are building a Practitioner network of:

- Restorative justice trainers
- Consultants and conflict coaches
- Facilitators and circle keepers
- Researchers and scholars
- Community leaders passionate about transformation

If you or someone you know, in Maine or beyond, would be interested in partnering with us, collaborating, contracting, or lending your expertise, I would love to connect. Please reach out to me directly at: [email protected] or send us a direct message.

More updates coming soon — including our new website launch!

With gratitude and excitement,

Melody Stanford Martin, MDiv
Interim Director
Restorative Justice Institute of Maine

04/15/2025

This week on the podcast, Esther is joined by Jan Collins, the assistant director of Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition (MPAC). After Jan's son was incarcerated in 2012, she became intimately aware of the horrors happening within Maine's prison system and began fighting to break down harmful stereoty

04/15/2025

In case you missed it—the .ritp released an excellent report in February on the state of restorative justice in Maine.

Excerpts here
link for full reports -https://www.pcritp.me/sites/pcritp.me/files/inline-files/RJ_2025.pdf
💚

04/10/2025

Bouncing into Spring! - Our April Newsletter

Welcome to Spring! It is with hope that this season is finding you well. My name is Emma Goldbas, I am the new Executive Director for RJIM. It brings me great joy to be a part of this community in my home state of Maine. Since 2011, RJIM has done incredible work with youth, young adults, adults, fam...