Padres and Jovenes Unidos (Parents and Youth United in English) is a minority led multi platform organization addressing issues such as zero tolerance, immigrant rights, and equity in education. They have monthly community events such as a “Community Self-Defense Network” aimed at immigrant protectionism especially in the wakes of hateful rhetoric. This group is currently the only community organization working alongside a Denver initiative for restorative practices.

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Ohio Student Association was founded in 2012 and is run by those of the ages 18-35, frequently students. Operating in Ohio, the student association addresses a number of issues, but currently is running programs advocating against zero tolerance policies as well as the higher ed debt crisis. Their website also features a collective map of student organizing across the state of Ohio ranging from progressive drug policy advocacy to African American Alliances.

 

 

 

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Seeds Community Resolution Center operates out of the Bay Area in California and advocates for restorative justice practices. The group offers mediation training and then push to operate their programs in local school districts. The group is nonprofit, but appears to make up its operating costs through charging for mediation certifications.

 

 

 

 

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Pittsfield, New Hampshire’s school district has a grassroots operation within “Pittsfield Middle High School”. Rather than delegate conflicts to traditional discipline, conflicts will sometimes be referred to the restorative justice committee at the school. This committee is composed of students, faculty, and administrators. The group meets biweekly in a classroom at the school to help mediate and students are encouraged to apply and join.

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The Peace Alliance is a non-profit engaged with the promotion of restorative justice through a four phase process of prevention, intervention, incarceration, and integration. Their website displays several community chapters of the organization operating throughout the United States. It does have a board of directors, but it is operated by educators, and community advocates for a revamp of how justice and peace are achieved from the local to the global.

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Journey For Justice Alliance is a collectivizing of grassroots organizations throughout the country supporting a singular platform through national campaigns. One example is the “#WECHOOSE” campaign is targeted at the detrimental community consequences of school choice and advocates in addition to the end of zero-tolerance policies in schools. This campaign is ultimately targeted at equity for all.

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Reach for Youth is a grassroots organized restorative justice program that operates out of Indianapolis. They offer “In-Teen Court” as a mediation process alternative to traditional forms of punishment. Their efforts are in an attempt to bring students the second chances, the current punitive systems would not necessarily entitle them to.  The program is run by a variety of people that maintain the program alongside continuing their education or work in other fields.

 

 

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Community Conferencing Center operates out of Batlimore, Maryland and advocates for restorative justice through programs such as prisoner societal reintegration and advocacy for

mediation in schools to create lasting behavioral changes. They offer training programs for school faculty and community leaders to better mediate issues that may arise among members of either.  They aim to ultimately draw communities together through empathy and collaboration.

 

 

 

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Established in 1997, the Center for Restorative Justice in South Dakota has operated as a volunteer organization to serve the community and partner with schools to implement as one might infer, restorative practices. They offer monthly mediation training. One program in particular are Juvenile Diversion Centers which aim to  provide a means to retain youth in a positive position in the community.

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One community college in Columbia, Maryland houses a “Mediation and Conflict Resolution Center.” The program supports several local programs for example, “Community and Schools Building Workshops” and “Re-Entry Mediation” all offered free of charge. The MCRC also provides, “also provides Restorative Dialogue services to Howard County citizens through referrals from the Howard County Police Department, the Howard County State Attorney’s Office, and the Department of Juvenile Services.”

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