YRJ Mission
The Youth Restorative Justice in Action program is a social-justice oriented incubator program for NYC public high school students. Launched in the 2018 - 2019 school year, the mission of the YRJ program is to engage youth in authentic youth-adult partnership and provide opportunities to learn about restorative justice and (re)imagine ways to shift their individual school cultures. Our goal is to support schools to be spaces that center relationships, ensure no one is disposable and reframe their approach to discipline as an opportunity for learning - for everyone.
SY26 YRJ in Action Vision
The 2026 Youth Restorative Justice in Action team is composed of up to 25 students, representing seven (7) NYC Public School high schools teams across the OSYD Affinity Citywide High School network. The practical focus of this year’s program cohort is Community Circle Keeping. Youth participants will receive formal Tier 1 Restorative Justice/Restorative Practices training, as well as guidance in the form of an eight (8) session Circle Keepers’ Lab. I am gonna reopen everything and see if this works
Collaboration
Youth will work in collaboration with their respective YRJ Staff Liaisons to facilitate Community Building Circles and RJ Education opportunities within their school communities. Participating students should also be actively engaged in their school's Restorative Justice Action Team (RJAT or its equivalent) or related aspects of leadership to shape and grow their school’s restorative culture.
CollegeNOW
Additionally, a select group of eligible students will have an opportunity to earn college credits through the CollegeNOW extension partnership with CUNY Queens College.