The week of April 26 - 30 will see an innovative program for youth, based in restorative justice: the Youth STAR Trauma Healing Seminar. The organizations presenting the workshop are also very innovative in the ways they're encouraging a shift in thinking about the nature of juvenile justice.

The seminar itself is STAR's creation. Their description of the seminar follows: "Launched in response to the events of 9/11, STAR (Seminars on Trauma Awareness and Resilience) has assisted persons from 38 states and 62 countries to integrate state-of-the-art trauma healing approaches into their work, drawing from the fields of restorative justice, neurobiology, psychology, conflict transformation, peacebuilding, and spirituality. Youth STAR participants will explore restorative trauma intervention strategies for urban youth, their families and communities. We will also explore self-care approaches for the caregivers." This seminar is both for youth and youth-serving adults. Information on the presenters and an application for the seminar accompanies this entry.

In itself, this is an interesting opportunity for youth. Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth (RJOY) is joining presenting the seminar, and what a natural pairing it is. RJOY "is a diverse group of community activists, youth, lawyers, judges, educators, elected officials, and other individuals who seek to fundamentally shift the way we respond to wrongdoing." Their mission involves healing communities through restorative practice and strong community values. "To accomplish its mission of implementing restorative measures for youth and young adults, RJOY provides training, direct services, and technical assistance in restorative processes to the justice system, schools and communities in the Greater Oakland area." Some of RJOY's impressive accomplishments have also been recognized by the media. 

While it's always great to see organizations with similar visions and goals join forces, it's even better when those organizations are pushing for a positive sea-change. It gets us all closer to stronger communities and a better society.

If there can be said to be a downside to this event, it is merely the pricetag: $800. That does include a full five-day, all-day innovative training, continental breakfast and light lunch, and it is limited to a group of 25. It's certainly less expensive than many conferences of comparable length, and those are much larger, without the potential to become as closely-knit or be as intensive.

Still, for youth in many communities that are crying out for precisely this approach to restorative justice, as well as this kind of crucial, effective training toward that end, $800 may prove an insurmountable expense. Even the deposit, $300, presents a potential hardship for some. It would be great to see future seminars funded (by grants, donors, fundraisers, and so on) so that those who need them most, and have the most talent for, and interest in them, have access to them, regardless of family income. 

Until then, it is still a great value, and the seminar itself promises to do good work in the larger community. The Oakland venue is yet to be announced. For more information, please call (510) 931-7569 or email fania@rjoyoakland.org.