Restorative Justice Institute

Professional development opportunity: Starting June 15 - Join our 8-week course on building core restorative justice skills, led by our Executive Director, Melody Stanford Martin, author of Brave Talk https://rjinstitute.org/event/core-skills-restorative-justice-summer-2026/

This is a great professional development opportunity and a chance to deepen in your understanding of transforming conflict and building resilient relationships.

Core Skills in Restorative Justice - Summer 2026 - Restorative Justice Institute Core Skills in Restorative Justice is a cohort-based training for people who want practical, relational tools for navigating conflict, facilitating dialogue, strengthening accountability, and building healthier communities and organizations. Over […]

Calling all project managers and organizational leaders —

We're excited to announce a hands-on, 2-day live virtual training that teaches practical restorative skills for the workplace: how to strengthen project planning, improve communication, support accountability, and help teams navigate conflict in ways that protect relationships and improve outcomes.

📅 May 28–29, 2026 | 9am–3pm EST
🌱 Sliding scale registration

MEET YOUR TRAINER
Martin Henson is a systems strategist, restorative justice practitioner, and certified project management professional specializing in human-centered approaches to complex organizational challenges. He brings 10+ years of experience designing systems rooted in trust and shared responsibility.

Spaces are limited. Registration is open:
🔗 rjinstitute.org/event/building-alignment-training-may-2026

Building Organizational & Project Alignment through Restorative Practice - Restorative Justice Institute Building Organizational and Project Alignment through Restorative Practice is a two-day learning experience designed for people who want a practical foundation in applying restorative tools within project-based and organizational settings. […]

Many of us were never taught how to handle conflict—we were taught to try to win, run away, or punish.

But these responses rarely lead to real accountability or healthy communities.

Restorative justice offers another way — a way that centers relationships. Restorative practices are how this shows up in everyday life — how we listen, respond, take responsibility, and move forward together.

Conflict doesn’t have to be the end of connection. Handled differently, it can become a doorway to stronger relationships and deeper understanding.

What becomes possible when we respond to conflict differently?

Learn more → rjinstitute.org

I’m excited to share that I’ve stepped into the role of Interim Director of the Restorative Justice Institute of Maine.

Over the past few months, our team has been working behind the scenes to re-envision the Institute to deepen our work as a training, consulting, facilitation, and innovation hub.

As we build out our expanded programs, we are building a Practitioner network of:

- Restorative justice trainers
- Consultants and conflict coaches
- Facilitators and circle keepers
- Researchers and scholars
- Community leaders passionate about transformation

If you or someone you know, in Maine or beyond, would be interested in partnering with us, collaborating, contracting, or lending your expertise, I would love to connect. Please reach out to me directly at: [email protected] or send us a direct message.

More updates coming soon — including our new website launch!

With gratitude and excitement,

Melody Stanford Martin, MDiv
Interim Director
Restorative Justice Institute of Maine

In case you missed it—the .ritp released an excellent report in February on the state of restorative justice in Maine.

Excerpts here
link for full reports -https://www.pcritp.me/sites/pcritp.me/files/inline-files/RJ_2025.pdf
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