Restorative Practices at Interaction: Creating Safety Through Relationships and Making Communities Stronger
Chairs pulled into a circle. A group of neighbors sitting together, one of them holding a talking piece. The question: “What happened?”
By Mel Motel
Five years ago, when the Brattleboro Justice Center merged with Youth Services, it created the space for us to think beyond the programs we were already offering. With this opportunity we created the innovative Community Restorative Practices Program to bring the transformative power of circle practice to conflicts and situations in our communities.
Although faces and settings might look different from circle to circle—young people, adults, incarcerated people, coworkers, tenants, landlords and even police officers—in every Interaction circle, every person’s voice matters: Everyone gets to speak their truth, and everyone gets to listen.
In Brattleboro, neighbors in a downtown building became concerned about drug paraphernalia and strangers sleeping in the hallways; we organized a circle. “Restorative practices isn’t necessarily going to fix it,” said Elizabeth Bridgewater, Executive Director of the Windham and Windsor Housing Trust, which owns the building. “But it just changes the dynamic of talking to each other, and in that change, there’s more trust that’s built.”
“[The circle] made me feel safer…It was helpful for me to let go of some of my fears about living here.” – resident at The Snow Block building
Over the years, all our staff have brought restorative values to our interactions with youth, putting relationships, care, and accountability at the center, and we can see the impacts.
“I initially began the program thinking I was being shoved into some one-size-fits-all program for kids that lost their way. But, instead, I was warmly greeted by an Interaction case manager who showed patience and compassion throughout the program…I’m quite happy I was given a second chance…and I definitely want to stick to my goals to become a better version of myself.” – participant in the Youth Substance Awareness Safety Program
We’ve been providing programs in our community for more than 50 years while adapting to new challenges. Grants don’t cover the additional time, care, or space it takes to go the extra mile. In my new role as Director of Organizational Development, I’m thrilled to lead efforts to cultivate the health and growth of Interaction so we can best serve our people and community. It’s supporters like you who allow us to keep showing up with the care our community deserves.
This season, your gift will help sustain essential programs for youth and adults, including clinical services and programs that create more safety in our community—through relationships.
Mel Motel,
Director of Organizational Development
Formerly Co-Director of Restorative Justice
