Recognizing November as National Restorative Justice Month and honoring the power of art, healing, and community through the collaborative efforts of The Barnes Foundation, Mural Arts Philadelphia, and Creative Philadelphia.

Recognizing November as National Restorative Justice Month and honoring the power of art, healing, and community through the collaborative efforts of The Barnes Foundation, Mural Arts Philadelphia, and Creative Philadelphia. WHEREAS, National Restorative Justice Month is observed every November by The National Center on Restorative Justice (NCORJ) and the National Association of Community and Restorative Justice (NACRJ) to increase awareness of restorative justice practices and programs; and WHEREAS, Both the NCORJ and the NACRJ have played leading roles in advancing education, research, and implementation of restorative practices throughout the United States. They define restorative justice as “both a set of practices and also a broad philosophy” that focuses on “identifying needs and repairing harm, active accountability, centering relationships and community, and voluntary participation”; and WHEREAS, Restorative justice offers an alternative to traditional punitive systems and enables offenders to take responsibility for their actions while also empowering communities to engage in reintegration. Studies have shown that restorative justice practices can reduce recidivism by as much as 32 percent; and WHEREAS, In Philadelphia, incarceration and experiences in the justice system negatively impact individuals, children, and families by causing strains on emotional wellbeing, economic stability, family structure, and community stability, leading to challenges that span across …