CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION and HARM RESPONSE
Our Approach
We recognize that conflict is a universal human experience, but harm doesn’t have to be. Conflict may start as a simple misunderstanding, and without intervention, escalate into a harmful or destructive dynamic. Without the space to check assumptions, learn from and with each other and find common ground, it is easy to get stuck in a painful cycle. Other times, conflict emerges from a deeper misalignment of values, which can also intersect with cultural frameworks and political commitments. We understand that social movements are rife with conflict, and believe it is possible to:
Transform habits around conflict and communication into active choices.
Build, re-build and fortify trust. Trusting, caring relationships are the foundation of a healthy organizational culture, and often hard to reach amidst hierarchical structures and other divisions.
Respect all styles of communication while stretching each of us to accommodate different communication styles.
Face the fear that confronting disagreement often brings up for people.
Free ourselves from the reductive flattening of identities or personalities that keep us entrenched in problematic interactions, and into a more human and holistic view of ourselves.
Pulling from traditions of Restorative Justice, Transformative Justice, community accountability, Process-Oriented Psychology and community-based non-legal conflict mediation, we hold space for people going through it and offer trainings to skill up around conflict management, harm response, de-escalation, and effective communication. We know that conflict gets in the way of a lot of powerful, magical ways of being in this world. Please get in touch about our facilitation, coaching, and learning laboratories in conflict transformation!
Photo of hands in fists creating a circle, holding thumbs and pinky fingers.
How You Can Work With Us
We can support you in:
Responding to a situation of conflict or harm, either between two parties or as a pattern within a community.
Training your team to effectively communicate their needs, acknowledge the impacts of specific behavior or patterns of interacting, and de-escalate heightened emotions.
Individualized coaching to build up your confidence and skills in navigating tension, disagreement, conflict or harm.
Offering an embodied conflict laboratory where we use somatic practice, theater and storytelling to unpack the complexity of interpersonal relationships and contradictions.
Resources & What Guides Our Work
“Life Comes From It,” a seminal text in the North American Restorative Justice community by Navajo justice leader, Robert Yazzie. Gives a glimpse of the indigenous cosmology that grounds the RJ tradition and circle practice.
Creative Interventions Toolkit, the trainer’s go-to resource from her time with feminist visionary Mimi Kim and her comrades in INCITE! Women of Color Against Violence. This is a practical guide to community-based interventions in interpersonal violence, also known as community accountability or transformative justice. It is intended for anyone who cannot or is not willing to turn to the police for help.
Creative Interventions Storytelling & Organizing Project: audio clips of community- based, non-carceral responses to violence
Restorative Justice Artwork/Posters developed by Project Nia in Chicago
About Peacemaking Circles from Indigenous and First Nations leaders
Click on the images below to purchase digital copies of our curriculum. “A Mirror, A Threshold, A Song” was developed through healing arts and RJ circle process inside of prisons and jails; you may reach out to the author (tatiana@collabchange.org) to order a physical copy or to contribute to our efforts in getting them into the hands of those behind bars.
Little Book of Youth Engagement in Restorative Justice: Intergenerational Partnerships for Just and Equitable Schools, offers case studies to bring political education and organizing into sync with Restorative Justice. Based in schools but applicable in community and organizational contexts.
Turning Towards Each Other: A Conflict Workbook by Jovida Ross and Weyam Ghadbian
Fumbling Toward Repair: A Workbook for Community Accountability Facilitators by Mariame Kaba and Shira Hassan
10 Tips on Receiving Critical Feedback: A Guide for Activists by Brooke Anderson
Colorizing Restorative Justice: Voicing Our Realities, edited by Edward C Valandra and Waŋbli Wapȟáha Hokšíla
Building Your Abolitionist Toolbox: Everyday Resources for a Punishment-Free World, video playlist by Project Nia
