Our Restorative Justice work grew out of the Bridgeport Child Advocacy Coalition (BCAC) and its decades-long commitment to improve the wellbeing of Bridgeport’s children and families through research, education, and advocacy.
Restorative Justice is a way of approaching conflict by focusing on repairing harm that was done rather than punishment. It brings affected parties together to talk about what occurred and how to move forward. Our Restorative Justice work is done in a variety of settings, including the area public schools, juvenile review boards and youth diversion teams, and the juvenile court systems.
Within area schools, we implement and train others in Restorative Practices (RP) which offers a constructive alternative to traditional punitive actions. Rather than punishing for misbehavior or minor legal infractions, RP aims to repair harm and relationships, build healthy communities, increase social capital, and decrease crime and anti-social behavior.
Our Programs
SEL Community Schools
Together with students, parents, and staff, we build and promote Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) and help students and families succeed in several Bridgeport schools. Our embedded team provides extra interventions and engagements through restorative practices, mediation, and conflict resolution.
Youth Diversion Team
Youth Diversion serves youth who may have committed minor delinquent offenses or displayed at-risk behaviors. Our staff supports them in a voluntary restorative process where they can identify how to repair the harm done by their actions.
Mediation Program
We provide services to the juvenile court systems in Bridgeport, Stamford, Danbury, Waterbury, and Torrington. All parties involved in an incident meet with a professional mediator in a conflict resolution process that is restorative rather than punitive.
Park City Career Pathways
We connect Bridgeport youth (ages 17-20) to community resources and workforce opportunities to prepare them for a future career, trade school, or higher education degrees.
Parent Leadership Training Institute
Using a nationally recognized curriculum, we enable parents to become leading advocates for their children. Participants make a difference in the lives of children and families in their neighborhoods, schools, and communities.
Special Reports
