Reflections from the 6th Citywide Roundtable on Restorative Approaches

The 6th Citywide Roundtable on Restorative Approaches took place in collaboration with The Riverside Center, The Circle Keepers, and The Center for Creative Conflict Resolutions on Saturday, November 16th, 2024. We’re so grateful to everyone who helped make the day possible – from all of the attendees, circle-keepers, volunteers, Reginald Warren Events, Just Soul Catering, and artists Ty Defoe, Wéma Ragophala, and Martin Urbach.

The event featured two panels on Reimagining Safety and Reimagining Belonging, which were followed by two circle sessions. Our circle-keepers also included past and current members of our Youth Advocacy Council. We were thrilled by the level of youth participation! Young people facilitated both youth-only and intergenerational circles.

We were once again reminded of the power of being in community during challenging times. We were particularly inspired by panel moderator Omari Soulfinger’s suggestion to leave an empty chair in the circle for folks in our lives who could not be there; Ty Defoe’s invocation which touched on themes of queerness and shape-shifting; and panelist Ana Puente Flores naming that we are all birthworkers within this community of restorative justice champions. The Roundtable highlighted the many entry points to understanding restorative justice, and the many applications that are thriving in New York City.

We encourage you to review our digital program and catch a glimpse of the magic via our photo gallery below.

All photos by Neha Gautam Photography