OUR STORY

The Circle Keepers started in 2017 as a volunteer-run, after-school program for high school students to learn restorative justice practices such as peer mediation protocols, conflict resolution circles and community building activities. It provided a space for students to hone their leadership skills, engage in political education, civic participation and produce community service/social justice projects and thus, create change in their school and in their neighborhoods.​

SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS

  • Started youth-led restorative justice cohorts in 8 different public schools, across Manhattan, Brooklyn and Bronx.

  • Helped reduce suspensions by 95% at one Manhattan borough school in District 2 in the span of 4 years (2019-2023)

  • Testified for City Council to successfully restore over $32M of funding cuts towards restorative justice justice programming in NYC Public Schools from 2022-2024.

  • Developed a comprehensive Restorative Justice Curriculum for grades 6-8 and grades 9-12, currently offered as semester long electives in a D2 and a D15 school.

  • Trained over 1,000 students as restorative justice peer mediators,

  • Trained over 100 NYC Public School staff in school based restorative justice practices.

  • Traveled to Austin, TX to present a sold-out workshop at the SXSWedu 2023 conference of over 100 guests.

  • Traveled to Washington, DC to meet with Leader Charles Schumer to learn about federal policy and  explored the National Museum of African American History and Culture to develop a stronger sense of Black epistemologies and ontologies.

  • Produced a “Green New Deal for Public Schools” roundtable with Congressman Jamaal Bowman at Sarah Lawrence College.

  • Produced youth led conference for 250+ NYC youth, rooted on the theme of “peace and justice”, bringing together 50+ stakeholders, including youth development organizations, city agencies, elected officials and even private businesses donating food and supplies!​

  • 100% of student participants surveyed report that The Circle Keepers program made their school experience more meaningful