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Restorative Justice News

01/12/11: Restorative Justice Resolution for BUSD

Berkeley Unified School Board Passes RJ Resolution

SEEDS presented its restorative justice resolution for Berkeley Schools to the BUSD School Board on January 12th, 2011. After SEEDS staff, volunteers and Longfellow Middle School presented, the Board passed the resolution unanimously. You can view the video here.

David Yusem, SEEDS Community Mediation & Restorative Justice Program Manager, said that restorative justice is “not a program and it’s not a curriculum, it’s a philosophy and a culture shift”. And that “the ultimate goal was to create a welcoming place for all Berkeley students, especially African American and Latino students.”

David’s comments were followed by Lisa Abregu, SEEDS Restorative Justice School Coordinator, who reflected on her time at Longfellow thus far, saying that restorative justice is not a program but a “paradigm shift, a new way of thinking.”

The most notable presenters were the three Longfellow Middle School students who stepped up to the podium and spoke to the school board about how restorative circles have helped them.

Jamal said he has learned how to support his friends and open up to them. Messiah said the circles “help because we can open up to each other and everyone in the group”. Troy spoke about an ongoing conflict with another student that resulted in a confrontation and suspension. When both students returned to school, Lisa Abregu worked with them and helped them come up with a resolution. Now they “are like friends”, according to Troy.

The student’s comments can be viewed beginning at 8:10 min. here.

BUSD is now committed to partnering with SEEDS and applying restorative justice discipline models in Berkeley schools.

12/08/10: Restitution Circle

Restorative Restitution Circle Success

SEEDS Restorative Justice Program Manager, David Yusem, just finished facilitating the first successful restorative restitution circle in Alameda County for a youthful offender and the victims of his crime. The circles included family members. David met with both parties individually initially and then brought them together for two circles to talk about what happened, identify the needs of all those affected, and create true accountability for the offender and healing for the victim. The resulting Action Plan addressed everyone's needs in a meaningful and relevant way.

The youth followed through on the plan and fulfilled the restitution order in a creative, collaborative way. If not for this collaboration, the youth would have instead be asked to pay money; money he did not have.

11/05/10: Mercury News Article

Peacekeepers Training

Newspaper article and video in which our Board President, Nina Senn, is interviewed. Nina has been active in representing SEEDS through the Johannes Mesherle verdict and sentencing for the murder of Oscar Grant. In this video, she is interviewed along with other people who participated in a Peacekeepers Training conducted by Rev. Mutima Imani.

Video link: RJ Videos
Link: http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_16519225?source=most_viewed&nclick_check=1

This is just one example of the many ways in which SEEDS participates out in the community

07/01/10: Message from Restorative Justice for Youth of Oakland (RJOY)

Johannes Mehserle Trial for the killing of Oscar Grant

Preparing for the Oscar Grant Verdict (flyer)

Oaklanders for Peace, Justice, and Healing (OPJH), a sort of ad hoc collaborative of community, faith-based, and city groups, has come together to insure that there are safe and healing spaces throughout the city where youth voices and the voices of all the people of Oakland may be expressed and heard in the aftermath of the verdict. Two main activities are being planned – a mass gathering at the Ogawa Plaza from 6 pm to 9 pm on the day of the verdict and the healing centers at 5 locations throughout the city.

Details of the mass gathering are still gelling.

At the healing gatherings at recreation and youth centers throughout the city youth and adults can engage in speak-outs, do digital story-telling, participate in interviews with the media, make music, engage in athletic activities, participate in peacemaking circles, and break bread together. Youth are invited to come to these healing centers to cool off and express themselves in positive, creative ways. Healing centers will be at the following locations:

East Bay Asian Youth Center, 2025 East 12th St., 533-1092

Arroyo Viejo Recreation Center, 7701 Krause Avenue, 615-5755

Mosswood Recreation Center, 3612 Webster Street, 597-5038

Youth UpRising, 8711 MacArthur Blvd., 777-1163

Urban Services YMCA, 3265 Market Street, 654.9622