Men As Peacemakers

I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice.

-Abraham Lincoln

Restorative Practices

What are Restorative Practices?

Restorative Justice is a term describing alternative measures of dealing with crime and conflict. It is a philosophy that recognizes the importance and power of relationships. Crime and any other offense or disruptive behavior is about causing harm to people; harm that affects relationships directly and then ripples out, affecting many more. Because the emphasis is on building, strengthening and repairing relationships, on the interconnectedness of community and on the core values people share with one another, this Restorative paradigm reaches beyond crime and the Criminal Justice System. It finds a place in schools, the workplace, communities and families. The term used to describe this wider paradigm is Restorative Practice.

Men as Peacemakers has become a central hub of Restorative Practice in the Duluth area. We facilitate difficult dialogues concerning divisive issues and support the reparation of harm caused by crime and violence. Through the Circle Process, we create safe space for people to heal and to rebuild relationships that have been broken. We provide education and training opportunities to students, teachers and school administrators. We encourage and support opportunities for people from the Duluth area to be involved in Restorative work in their communities.

In collaboration with Arrowhead Regional Corrections and Duluth Public Schools, Men as Peacemakers provides a number of Restorative programs. Working together, SOAR and Men as Peacemakers recruit and train mentor/sponsors for adult offenders being released from prison. Additional education and training opportunities in Restorative Practice are available to the community.