The Rhythms of Restorative Work: Kicking Off Year 8 of KEY!  

A new school year is in session. When I was working in schools, that evening before the first day always brought about first-day jitters; there is something about starting something new, even if it felt familiar. It was a little scary and a lot exciting.  

As we are kicking off our youth restorative justice school year programming for KEY (Knowledge Empowers Youth), I feel that same mix of nervousness and exuberance. There are limited words to describe the beauty of young people gathering in a chosen safe space community, building relationships, learning about themselves and discovering their empathic connection to those who once may have felt like an “other.” 

This year is no different. We are kicking off the eighth year of KEY, and for a second year, I’m thrilled to be doing this work alongside our amazing team and the inspiring leadership of Program Leads, Kate Carter and Hope Hammond, through which we have been able to increase our capacity to create safe spaces for more young people, increasing the number of sessions available in both our high school and elementary school partner locations and comprehensively developing our restorative program components. 

In addition to our Program Leads, the KEY Team is excited to welcome back three circle keepers – Pete Blodgett, Danielle Jones, and Jonathan Norman, a KEY alum. And we are excited to welcome Darius Brownlee (College Freshman) as an intern and welcome back Amirah Raheem (12th) and Kayla Williams (12th) as interns for a second year.   

The KEY Program kicked off sessions last week and over 200 students have had a chance to experience this intentional restorative space we are co-creating with them. In one of our circles focused on building this community, we closed with the quote: “Having a safe space to imagine and dream and reinvent yourself is the first step to being happy and successful, whatever road you choose to pursue!” (Ashley Bryan, African American writer and author). 

Thank you for the many ways you partner with us to cultivate consistent spaces for discovery and grounding. As we learn, grow, and evolve as an organization, we maintain our intention to center humanity and relationships in the restorative practice work we do and in our partnerships and collaborations. In doing so, we continue this collective work of healing, reconciliation, and flourishing in our community.