restorative justice
Coverage of restorative justice in the Nexus archive.
- Chicago to cut funding earmarked for schools that replaced police with restorative justice policies
Chicago Public Schools plans to cut funding for 54 high schools that replaced police officers with restorative justice programs, reducing annual funding from $8.7 million to $4 million and staff positions from 80 to 42. The district is also introducing a new framework to expand safety policies districtwide, including social-emotional learning and restorative practices.
- Minnesota pushes $2.04M into restorative practices; Damascus Way lands nearly $200K
Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) awarded $2.04 million to expand restorative practices statewide, including $199,000 to Damascus Way, a reentry facility. The funding supports 41 organizations under DCYF’s $10 million Restorative Practices Initiative, focusing on harm repair, relationship-building, and community healing.
- How DC Peace Team Is Training Neighbors to Keep Each Other Safe as Federal Enforcement Increases
The DC Peace Team trains residents as nonviolent peacekeepers amid increased federal enforcement in D.C., which has seen 20,000 arrests since April, with 60% of arrested individuals having no criminal record. The organization focuses on restorative justice, community violence intervention, and peace education, having trained over 12,000 unarmed civilian peacekeepers since 2010.
- Philadelphia’s young people learn to lead on violence prevention and restorative justice
Philadelphia's first youth restorative justice cohort, comprising over 30 participants aged 14-20, completed a year-long training program aimed at violence prevention. The initiative, led by Victim/Witness Services of South Philadelphia and partner organizations, focuses on community-based conflict resolution for young people and families from immigrant and limited-English backgrounds. Rising youth gun violence and pandemic-related assaults prompted the program's development, emphasizing accountability and healing over criminalization.
- Before the Gavel: Local Residents Pushing for Interpretive Center as Part of 710 Restorative Justice Effort
A coalition of community organizations, educators, transportation advocates, and residents is urging the City Council to include a public interpretive center in plans for the redevelopment of the former 710 Freeway corridor. The center would serve as a restorative justice component of the Reconnecting Pasadena project, highlighting community solidarity and cultural history.
- City leaders: Tuning out, closing doors on youth won't solve problems
Chicago City Council faces criticism for proposing measures to restrict youth in public spaces, while youth organizers highlight successful restorative justice programs reducing violence. Ald. Brian Hopkins' new curfew proposal aims to empower police to target youth gatherings, contrasting with community-led efforts like GoodKids MadCity's peaceful summer events.