Restorative Justice Education for Youth

Learn more about this project in the video below!

• Original Idea Voted on by New Yorkers: The program will have workshops on restorative justice principles and de-escalation techniques, along with activity-based creative learning sessions. They will give youth basic skills for conflict resolution.

• Implementing Organization: The Harlem Fund

• Funding Amount: $150,000

The responses below are directly from the community organizations selected to implement The People’s Money projects.

How does your organization plan to bring this idea to life?

We seek to reduce violent conflicts and recidivism amongst Harlem youth who were/are justice-involved or impacted and instill positive character and social traits within the youth confronted with negative elements. This will be done through the use of neighborhood outreach, group workshops, and direct one on one mentoring.

What motivated your organization to apply to implement this idea?

As a returned citizen, I am an example of what positive mentoring, conflict resolution, and restorative justice could have prevented, if applied to me. Incarcerated for violence as a teenager, I sought to develop myself by positively changing my mindset. Upon my release, I vowed to assist at-risk youth, to avoid the same path of violence as myself.

How do you think this project will make a difference in your community?

This work is important because it upholds the principles of humane social interaction for peace, progress, and recognizing the youth as our future. If we can prevent them from developing negative outlooks on life, or help them address and remediate their issues of dysfunction and trauma, we can impact our communities in a meaningful way.

List at least one thing you're excited about related to this project!

I always look forward to graduating youth having such an evolved outlook of positivity that they seek to help their peers change their ways of thinking as well.

Website: www.theharlemfund.org
Instagram: @harlemfundceo
Facebook: @theharlemfund