About Us
Hannah Wolfield / Bennington College '21
Bailey Fox / Bennington College '21
Bailey Fox / Bennington College '21
Our mission:
To provide support for vulnerable and marginalized youth by introducing restorative practices while simultaneously creating a sustainable partnership between the local schools and the college. We will treat the youth we work with with compassion, respect, dignity, and make them a partner in the implementation progress, giving them a voice and ensuring that they have control over their own education. We also plan to document our pathway, making it easier for other students to do the same work. We both study the intersection between psychology, education, and restorative practices with the intention of supporting marginalized and vulnerable youth. Bailey wrote her senior thesis on the use and effectiveness of restorative practices in high school environments and included her own practitioners guidebook for implementation, while Hannah wrote hers on the use of therapeutic jurisprudence to holistically transform the child welfare system. |
FAQ
What is restorative justice?
Restorative justice is a response to harm created in the community. Unlike the criminal justice system, restorative justice involves all stakeholders, and centers the person who has most been harmed. There are many different ways to use restorative justice, such as peer panels in schools, victim-offender conferencing for criminal justice cases, and peace circles after a conflict. How is restorative justice different from restorative practice?
Restorative justice is reactionary, while restorative practices are more of a culture, philosophy, or environment. Restorative justice is a restorative practice, but restorative practices encompass much more than this--in a school setting, they would include space design, daily circles to bring the community more together, and a shift in language to make all language used (in the classroom, student conduct handbook, etc.) more positive and less punitive. There is not one way to incorporate or utilize restorative justice or practices, and they must be adapted to each environment. Why do restorative practices work?
There are many psychological theories underlying restorative practices: affect-script psychology (Silvan S. Tomkins), reintegrative shaming theory (John Braithwaite), and reversal of moral disengagement (Albert Bandura). What are the "Big 12" crimes?
Big 12 crimes are the crimes that the state of Vermont has deemed more serious than others and allows for special sentencing for juveniles. These crimes include: arson causing death, assault and robbery with a dangerous weapon, assault and robbery causing bodily injury, aggravated assault, murder, manslaughter, kidnapping, unlawful restraint, maiming, sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, and burglary into an occupied dwelling. What is an emerging adult?
An emerging adult is a developmental stage that is neither adolescent nor young adult, but a distinct stage between the two. This stage involves relative independence and is marked by residential instability. |
Get In Touch
If you're interested in our work and want to know more please reach out! We're always looking for opportunities to engage and collaborate in new and meaningful ways.
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