: : : The Attitudinal Healing Connection of Oakland : : :

The Attitudinal Healing Connection, Inc (AHC) is hosting Restorative Justice for Oakland’s Youth (RJOY). AHC is located in the heart of West Oakland. Our office was at one time a ‘crack house.’ We transformed it to a safe heaven for children and youth to do art making, recreating themselves into super heroes that save their communities and the world. However, we knew that we needed to do more. Many of our youths are caught in a criminal justice system that is cruel and punitive -- A solution came in the form of Restorative Justice. AHC was invited to join a group of concerned Oakland citizens to bring Restorative Justice to Oakland’s youth (RJOY).

What is RJOY?
RJOY is an Oakland-based, loosely-knit group of community organizations, lawyers, judges, policy makers, educators, elected officials, youth and other community members who believe that it is time to fundamentally shift the way we respond to wrongdoing and conflict in our communities. Instead of focusing on blaming and punishing the wrongdoer, which only creates more harm and conflict, we seek approaches, which will bring about community transformation and reconciliation. Restorative justice has a demonstrated track record of fulfilling these important social goals.

Restorative Justice
Contemporary restorative justice arose in the early 1980’s out of the general frustration of victims, offenders, communities and justice professionals alike with the profound dysfunctions of our justice system. Restorative Justice is rooted in ancient reconciliation processes, which were virtually universal to indigenous cultures.

Today, growing numbers of restorative justice programs throughout the world are proving to be effective means of reducing violence and recidivism. For instance, in the U.S., Minnesota’s restorative justice school programs have significantly reduced violence and expulsions, with a more than 50% reduction in the number of referrals for violent behavior at one elementary school after two years. At a Minnesota high school, suspensions were reduced by almost 50%. Restorative justice programs in the criminal justice context have proven similarly effective in reducing recidivism. In New Zealand, whose youth criminal justice system is entirely restorative, no more prisons for youth are being built.

Restorative Justice like Attitudinal Healing is a set of values and principles whose core is grounded in reconciliation, forgiveness and truth-telling. Both offer revolutionary ways of healing and restoring wholeness to the individual. Restorative justice has proven to offer adjunctive supportive services to the criminal justice system. It offers wholeness to the community, a way for the perpetrator to make amends and an opportunity for the victim to finally heal its wounded ness. Rather than foster hostile interaction between the parties, it provides an opportunity for those who harm and those who are harmed to empathize with one another. We are grateful to offer the community of Oakland RJOY – Restorative Justice for Oakland’s Youth. The city of Oakland has funded RJOY to offer trainings to organizations that serve Oakland’s youth. Our first training was held this past December 1-4, 2005 where more than 40 individuals representing about 35 different organizations, gathered at the Senior Center on 18th and Adeline for a 4-day training. Since the December training, trainees have implemented circle in schools, in the justice system, and in community groups. In addition to the general RJOY meetings at AHC every second Friday, individuals working in the community, schools and justice system have separate monthly meetings to strategize about important justice initiatives underway in these distinct areas.

For more information,
please contact
Heath Winer
part-time Administrator for RJOY and AHC
(510) 652-5530 or via e-mail heath@ahc-oakland.org