Restorative Justice | resolutionservices

Restorative Justice: Listening. Healing. Growing.

Our restorative justice teams help youth and schools resolve conflict through dialogue and accountability.

What is Restorative Justice?

At Resolution Services Center, we use Restorative Justice to turn conflict into connection. By bringing students and community members together to talk, repair harm, and rebuild trust, we help young people feel heard — and supported. Restorative Justice is a peaceful conflict resolution tool that brings together all parties affected by conflict to discuss the incident, its impact on relationships and community, and find ways to heal harm collectively. Restorative justice fosters connection, communication, and conflict resolution through structured dialogue and shared decision-making. Through a variety of interventions such as the circling process and restorative conversations, RJ helps establish understanding, empathy, and collaborative problem solving to support life-enriching connections. In schools, we focus on accountability and understanding—not punishment—using guided conversations and language-based tools. With facilitators present five days a week, we become an integrated, supportive part of the school community. Through Restorative Justice, facilitators help students use simple tools like restorative circles and conversations to teach empathy, accountability, and how to solve problems peacefully.

When kids learn to resolve conflict with empathy, they grow into adults who lead with compassion.

Our RJ Team

Enrique Garza

Restorative Justice Program Manager

Garza leads our effort to ensure wellness and support are priorities in our partner schools.

Learn more

Garza is dedicated to promoting healing, behavioral support, accountability, and long-term community wellness.

RJ FAQ

What is a facilitator?

A Restorative Justice Facilitator assists in creating a restorative culture and assisting with building positive and meaningful relationships through conflict resolution.

How do we help?

Restorative Justice provides a safe space where everyone involved can feel heard and seen but also have an opportunity to to repair any harm that may have been done.

Boys and Girls Club Leadership RJ June 25.jpg

Why do we do what we do?

Our goal is to encourage dialogue and connection even through conflict. Conflict is an opportunity to be seen and understood. We want to assist in redefining what conflict can be, and help the younger generation value ideas and perspectives even if it's not their own. We all have something to contribute, and learn through conversation and by facing adversity through accountability.

What do our facilitators do?

Facilitators:

Gather students/stakeholders affected by a particular issue (like bullying, conflict, or school climate).
Create a safe space for open and honest discussion.
Guide the conversation to surface problems, root causes, and possible solutions.
Listen actively and encourage all voices to be heard, especially those who feel marginalized.
Document key insights and help translate the group’s ideas into action steps for school leadership.

Facilitators

Set the tone by establishing norms for respectful dialogue and confidentiality.
Use a talking piece or other techniques to ensure everyone gets a turn to speak.
Pose thoughtful questions around behavior, emotions, relationships, or class dynamics.
Promote empathy and understanding among classmates.
Help the class co-create solutions and agreements to improve behavior or culture.
Follow up to check on the progress of the agreements.

Facilitators:

Meet one-on-one with a student (and sometimes family, teachers, or affected parties).
Discuss the incident, the impact, and the student's perspective.
Guide reflection and responsibility-taking in a supportive way.
Collaborate with the student to develop a plan or agreement for repairing harm.
Include meaningful actions like apologies, service, or behavior goals.
Monitor and support the implementation of the agreement over time.

Facilitators:

Bring together all parties involved in a conflict or harm (offenders, victims, community members).
Prepare participants ahead of time to ensure emotional readiness.
Lead the circle process with clear structure, purpose, and shared guidelines.
Allow each person to tell their story, express impact, and ask questions.
Support consensus-building around how to repair the harm and move forward.
Ensure accountability and healing, not punishment.

Learn more about our Student Support Services position

FOR STUDENTS

How do we help students?

Builds Accountability

Instead of just getting suspended or expelled, students are encouraged to take responsibility for their actions--understanding the impact they had on others.

Improves Relationships

Students build stronger connections with their peers and teachers, which can improve behavior and academic performance.

Encourages Empathy

Through restorative circles or conversations, students hear directly from the people affected by their actions. This builds emotional awareness and empathy.

Promotes Conflict Resolution Skills

Kids learn how to talk things out, resolve conflicts peacefully, and repair harm--skills they'll use for life.

Reduces Suspensions and Expulsions

Schools using restorative practices often see a drop in exclusionary discipline. That means more kids stay in school, where they belong.

FOR SCHOOLS

How do we help schools?

Improves School Climate

A culture of respect, communication, and mutual accountability makes for a more positive and inclusive school environment.

Increases Student Engagement

When students feel heard and respected, they're more likely to be engaged and take pride in their school community.

Decreases Racial Disparities in Discipline

Traditional discipline often disproportionately affects students of color. Restorative practices help address this imbalance by focusing on fairness and inclusion.

Supports Mental Health

Restorative practices often give students space to express emotions and work through conflict, which supports emotional well-being.

Reduces Repeat Misbehavior

Because students understand the impact of their actions, they're less likely to repeat harmful behavior.

Provides a Cost-Effective Solution to Discipline

Traditional disciplinary approaches like suspension and expulsion can be expensive (due to administrative costs, academic loss, and safety concerns). Restorative justice offers a lower-cost alternative by reducing repeat offenses and improving long-term student outcomes.

Schools We Work With

Holt District - Holt High School / Holt Jr High

Mason - North Aurelius / Alaiedon Elementary

Charlotte - Galewood Elementary