The Center for Restorative Practices Past Events

Circle #1: April 11th 2023

Circle #2: April 25th, 2023

Calling all Queer men of color! The Center for Restorative Practices is excited to host 3 Restorative Circles centering the experiences of queer POC men, including cisgender, transgender, non-binary, and/or questioning/exploring your gender and/or sexuality.

Through the practice of circle, we will explore the themes of friendship, love, and family, with the hopes of strengthening our connections to one another. Each circle is a stand-alone event and attendance at all three is not required. 

Facilitated by Fabio Ayala, Assistant Director for the Center of Restorative Practices, and David Rosa ‘21. 

Questions or accessibility concerns? Contact fayala@amherst.edu

Sunday, April 9th, 12 - 2pm EDT via Zoom
Friday, April 28th, 10 - 12pm EDT via Zoom

In this engaging workshop, we use simulations and roleplays to find and to practice creative ways of solving disputes and reframing challenges into opportunities. Open to all students, staff, and faculty and non-AC community members.

“I come from Jewish ancestry but my parents didn’t really practice the faith.”

“I grew up going to synagogue and my Jewish faith is really important to me.”

“I consider myself culturally Jewish.”

“I want there to be room at Amherst for the way I experience my Jewishness, but I don’t always feel welcomed.”

These voices are all valid. Come to a restorative community-building circle to share stories, speaking and listening from the heart.

This is a 3-part circle series: April 13, 20, and 27, from 4:00–5:30.  Attendance at the first introductory circle on April 13 is required in order to attend one or both following circles. Questions? Reach out to Susie at: sbelleci@amherst.edu. Hosted by the Center for Restorative Practices and Religious and Spiritual Life

All staff, faculty, and students are welcome.

Have you been part of a religious tradition that has sustained you, wounded you, and, perhaps both or somewhere in between?  Come and sit in a restorative harm and impact circle to speak from the heart, listen to understand and share our humanity as we center stories of faith, love and harm in our spiritual practices.  Sponsored by the Center for Restorative Practices, Religious and Spiritual Life, Queer Resource Center and the Womens and Gender Center.

4 - 5:30 PM, In-Person, in Keefe 203.

Part 1: Thursday, April 13th 10am EDT via Zoom 

Part 2: Thursday, April 27th 10am EDT via Zoom

Part 3: Thursday, May 25th 10am EDT via Zoom

The cultures we have been immersed in not only play important roles in establishing our identities, but also impact how we convey information, interpret messages in our interactions, and shape our approaches to dealing with conflict. Unpacking our cultures and their impacts, as well as those of others, can help us better understand instances of miscommunication and conflict, and establish practices that help us become better communicators across difference. By participating in this three-part workshop, staff and faculty will better understand connections between culture, communication styles, and conflict styles, and learn some approaches to enhance communication in their personal and professional lives.

In part one and two, participants focus on better understanding their cultures and how they influence communication within and across cultures. In part three, participants explore the connection between culture and conflict, examining the different approaches to conflict. In all three parts, participants will connect their culture and communication/conflict approach to the Amherst community and learn some strategies to help in their personal and professional interactions.

This workshop is co-facilitated by the Center for Restorative Practices and the Office of Workforce Equity and Inclusive Leadership and is open to all staff and faculty.

There's a lot going on in the world right now for our communities of color. From the continued threat of police violence to the ongoing reality of systemic racism, it sometimes feels like our stories mainly come from places of pain, sorrow, and loss; but we know there is much more to our black experiences, like joy, connection, pride and community. 

Join Amherst College's Center for Restorative Practices as we host a Restorative Circle Centering the Stories & Experiences of Black Students, Staff, Faculty, and Alumni choosing a space to sit in circle together and share our joys. The goal of this space is to listen deeply, speak authentically, and bear witness to our stories of Black joy.

Facilitated by Fabio Ayala, Assistant Director for the Center for Restorative Practices.
Questions or accessibility concerns? Contact fayala@amherst.edu

In 2021 Amherst College officially launched the new Center for Restorative Practices. What is/are Restorative Practices? How does this relate to Restorative Justice? What does this mean for Amherst College? How can I be involved? Come to an experiential presentation and training that explores these questions. 

Women's History Month begins in March! To prepare for and kick off the month, the CRP is excited to host 3 Restorative Circles centering the experiences of Women of Color, whether you’re cisgender, transgender, non-binary, and/or questioning/exploring your gender. 

5:30 - 7:00pm EST in Chapin Pemberton Lounge

What do we do when a person we care about causes harm to someone else? In those moments, how do we hold support and accountability while not losing the relationship we built together? What other options exist outside of isolation and ignoring the problem? 

Join Amherst College's Center for Restorative Practices as we host a Restorative Circle for all students choosing a brave space to sit in circle together around this theme. 

The goal of this space is to listen deeply, speak authentically, bear witness to our shared humanity and explore the ways in which we can all commit to taking care of ourselves in these trying times. 

Facilitated by Lauren Kelly, Associate Director for Health & Wellbeing & Fabio Ayala, Assistant Director for the Center for Restorative Practices.
Questions or accessibility concerns? Contact fayala@amherst.edu

After gender-based harm, there are countless ways to respond, all of which are valid. In support of this variety of options, we ask: Where is the place for support with accountability?

Join us in conversation with Restorative Practice experts while we explore this as another option for resolving gender-based harm within our community.

“I don’t want him in trouble, I just don’t want him to hurt anyone else.” “What they need to do is hear me, really hear me - and believe me - that’s what I want.” “I didn’t know that's what they experienced, I thought we both had fun. Can we talk about this?” 

We are excited to let you know that on March 9, the Civil Rights and Title IX office and the Center for Restorative Practices are hosting an expert panel discussion on the topic of the use of restorative practices to resolve concerns of gender-based harm. We have seen increased interest here, and nationwide, in the use of alternative resolution models for campus sexual misconduct concerns. While informal resolutions for certain types of alleged harm has been an option here, Amherst is ready to begin, in earnest, to speak with the community about enhancing this option for parties to gender-based harm concerns.

Thursday 3/9 4-6pm Converse Hall, Cole Assembly

In 2021 Amherst College officially launched the new Center for Restorative Practices. What is/are Restorative Practices? How does this relate to Restorative Justice? What does this mean for Amherst College? How can I be involved? Come to an experiential presentation and training that explores these questions.

The video of Tyre Nichols’ death is another painful reminder of the long, dark history and still a current reality for many Black people and people of color around the world. The Center for Restorative Practices, in partnership with the MRC, invites you to a restorative circle, an ancient form of gathering, to feel, reflect and share the personal impact of this moment for you. Open to all.

Sharing our Grief, Anger and/or Pain Surrounding the Death of Tyre Nichols

• Circle Offering 1: Open to All Community Members - Tuesday, January 31, 3 - 4pm EST via Zoom.

Student, Faculty, and Staff Restorative Harm and Impact Circle

• Circle Offering 2: Centering the Lived Experiences of BIPOC - Tuesday, January 31, 6 - 8pm EST in the Keefe MRC

Photo by Brooke Anderson