Resource Guide for Restorative Practices

Welcome to the open-source resource guide for Restorative Practices at Vassar College. Included here are links to resources for restorative work, along with basic descriptions of those resources. If you’ve been to a Restorative Practices training, you’ll find links to tools and resources covered in the training. Resources include copyright information on the documents whenever available—please credit the creators if you make public use of them. Have a question, or want to add a resource? Email Amanda: rp@vassar.edu. Want to do more in-depth research? Try the Vassar Library.

Circle Work

Circles by Tier
Circle: Essential Elements
Video: Community Building Circle in Oakland Public Schools

Communities of Practice

What is a Community of Practice (Google Doc)? from Community Engagement Fellows

Cultivating Inner Life Literacy / Empathy for Self and Others:

Identifying Feelings, Needs, & Values

How-To: S.I.F.T. Exercise (Sensations, Images, Feelings, Thoughts)

Responding to Feelings, Needs, & Values

Online Toolkit Emotional and Mental Health Toolkit from B.E.A.M.: Library of infographics and printables for self-care, community care, practices for mental and physical health and wellness, conflict engagement and resolution processes, and more, designed in particular by and for the Black community by the Black Emotional And Mental Health Collective (B.E.A.M.).
Some favorites:

P.A.U.S.E. (5 steps for self-de-escalation)

Healing & Accountability Wheel (for close relationships)

Peer Support & Village Care (how to care in community)

Online Toolkit: GoodConflict—Scroll down to see how to differentiate between “Good Conflict” (productive) and “High Conflict” (intractable), as well as one pagers on asking good questions, listening with curiosity, etc.

Community Organizing + Consensus Organizing

“Consensus Organizing model is a method of community organizing that focuses on finding and developing areas of mutual self-interest between community stakeholders, as opposed to traditional conflict-based organizing strategies”. Learn more from San Diego State’s Consensus Organizing Center
Leading Change Network, Marshall Ganz / Harvard Kennedy School
“Let this Radicalize You” book/workbook from abolitionist organizers Mariame Kaba and Kelly Hayes. Great distinction between “activist” and “organizer.”
The Craft of Campaigns Podcast, Organizing Skills Institute/Training for Change
The Commons Social Change Library

De-Escalation

CLARA method of de-escalation (Center, Listen, Affirm, Respond, Add Information)
Active Bystander & De-escalation Overview from DC Peace Team (includes CLARA method detail)

Dialogue

Student-Focused Guide on Empathy, Dialogue and Community Care Tools from Barnard College
Dialogue & DIfference intro from Barnard College Center for Engaged Pedagogy
“What is Intergroup Dialogue?”: University of Michigan IGR program (see What is IGR? video)
Bridging Differences in Higher Education Playbook, from the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley

Facilitation Basics / Group Work

Vassar Restorative Practices List of Facilitation Resources (Google Doc): Links to activities, tools, and places to learn more about how to effectively facilitate groups and group decision-making, build consensus as well as respectfully surface differences.
Online Toolkit: Good Conflict
Online Toolkit: Liberating Structures
Online Toolkit: Training for Change

Nonviolence

International Center for Nonviolent Conflict: tracks and resources nonviolent people power movements around the world
James Lawson Institute: learn about Nonviolent Direct Action
Kingian Nonviolence Resources: Discover more about MLK Jr.’s nonviolent organizing philosophy and civil rights struggle strategy from The King Center & Stanford University’s King Institute