For Immediate Release
March 2008
Contact:
Laura Mirsky
Communications Coordinator
International Institute for Restorative Practices
267-718-7374
lauramirsky@iirp.org
New York City Youth and Education Professionals Keen on Restorative Practices
Briefing Inspires Decision Makers. Training Event Upcoming.
Download Adobe PDF version here.
The International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP) brought together leaders from the Harlem Children's Zone; the Kings County District Attorney's Office; the Children's Aid Society; CASES, Inc.; the New York City Law Department; El Puente and other agencies, at a February 13 restorative practices briefing at the United Way of New York City. Attendees were excited to learn about the approach and to begin implementing it in their work.
Restorative practices has profoundly impacted a NYC school for youth transitioning out of incarceration. Said Joel Copperman, CEO, CASES, Inc.: "CASES has been working with IIRP since 2003 at Community Prep High School, where we have made restorative practices a cornerstone of our approach to school culture. The change has been dramatic." (See http://www.safersanerschools.org/library/communityprep.html.)
March 17 or 20, United Way of New York City, 2 Park Avenue
Please RSVP to attend.
Information on this event: http://www.iirp.org/training_nycirp.php
Information on the IIRP: http://www.iirp.org/
Restorative practices enables people to restore and build community in an increasingly disconnected world, providing an effective alternative to traditional punishment in the schoolroom, social services and the criminal justice system. Restorative practices builds cooperation, fosters strong relationships and creates a climate that engages people to learn, grow and change.
The International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP) Graduate School and training organization has brought the restorative approach to educators, children- and youth-serving and criminal justice professionals in 50 U.S. states and as many countries.
The IIRP began 30 years ago as Community Service Foundation, a school for struggling youth that grew into eight schools, 16 group homes and other programs, all based on restorative practices.
Research shows restorative practices to be extremely successful with CSF students (http://www.realjustice.org/library/ermbrief.html).
Highly positive results are also obtained with restorative practices in public schools (http://www.safersanerschools.org/library/schoolresearch2.html).
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