The Restorative Center’s Circle Keeper Trainings

Join us in Mexico - May 2026

“The best training I have ever attended. Every second counted.”

Circle Keeper Training - registration & information

“Powerful, transformative & incredible. It has been such a gift to be able to participate in this training.”

Rooted In Community

The Restorative Center facilitates two-and-a-half day foundational training workshops for volunteers to provide an experience-based understanding of the foundational components of Circle Keeping.

Ongoing public trainings are held to expand the availability of community circles and the reach of restorative justice. Circle Keeper Trainings result in Community Circles being held in it's hosting city.

How We Train

Our trainings are engaging, lively, and informative. You will experience how circles realign power dynamics among us and within us, why we use "prompts" at various phases of circle work, and the necessity of self-care for Circle Keepers. You will learn the art of Circle Keeping. Each participant receives a training manual.

The Foundations of The Newburgh Model

The Restorative Center's program team drew upon their deep reservoir of real-world experiences to develop the Newburgh Model of Community Circles (named in honor of the city which hosted the process), weaving and expanding community circle teachings from around the world. The Newburgh Model codifies a replicable, teachable, flexible structure of free-standing community circles.

The circles realign our power and voice, allowing for the expression of individual truths and the emergence of collective wisdom. Circles are forming using this model in the Bronx, Newburgh, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and beyond. This foundational training is a pre-requisite to advanced trainings in Restorative Justice Circles and Family Conferencing (Birth Circles).

“A space in which you can grow in your understanding of the circle practice and improve your skills in conflict situations.”

The Progressive Possibilities of Working With Young Adults

To expand the availability of community circles and the reach of restorative justice, The Restorative Center facilitates multiple days of foundational training workshops for teen volunteers. This provides an experience-based understanding of the fundamental components of facilitating community circles.

Participants can earn up to 10-hours of community service. After this training, there are on-going opportunities to develop the skills to facilitate circles so that teens can be leaders in sharing the power and potential of Restorative Justice. Meet our Teen Leaders here.

Teen Circle Keeper TrainingS - free for teens and students

Past Circle Keeper Trainings (custom trainings not listed)

Summer 2015 (Newburgh)
Fall 2015 (Bronx)
Winter 2015 (Brooklyn)
Spring 2016 (Newburgh)
Summer 2017 (Newburgh)
Winter 2018 (Newburgh)
Summer 2018 (Millerton)
Winter 2019 (Garrison Institute)
Summer 2019 (Light on the Hill Retreat Center)
Summer 2020 (Online with Southern University Law Center)
Summer 2020 (Garrison Instittue)
October 2020 (Online Training)
December 2020 (Online Training)
February 2021 (Online Training)
April 2021 (Online Training)
May 2021 (Online Training)
May 2021 - (Albany County District Attorney’s CLEAN SLATE: RECLAMATION Felony Youth Diversion Program)
July 2021 (Southern University Law Center, Baton Rouge, LA)
October 2021 (Online Training)
April 2022 (Online Training)
June 2022 (New Orleans)
December 2022 (Online Training)
Jan/Feb 2023 (Syracuse NY)
March 2023 (Camden NJ)
March 2023 (Online Training)

Past Teen Trainings

Summer 2016 (Newburgh)
Summer 2017 (NY Teen Fellowship)
Spring 2018 (Bronx NY)
Summer 2018 (NY Teen Fellowship)
Summer 2019 (NY Teen Fellowship)
Winter 2020 (Hudson NY)
Summer 2020 (NY Teen Fellowship)
Summer 2021 (NY Teen Fellowship)
March 2022 (Bronx NY)
Fall 2022/Winter 2023 (NY)

CLE Attorney Restorative Justice Training

19.5 CLE Credits

Our weekend seminar has been accredited for 19.5 CLE credits (including 1 ethics credit) by the New York State CLE Board. The two and a half day training provides an experience-based understanding of the foundational components of the Newburgh Model for circle keeping. This seminar is a prerequisite to advanced training in Restorative Justice.

We utilize theory based lectures, the interactive circle experience, skill development mock circles, as well as small and large group discussions. TRC's workbook will be distributed to participants Friday night. This course is appropriate for both newly admitted and experienced attorneys.

Rates

- Standard registration fee $675
- Public Interest Attorneys rate $475
- Financial aid, law students rates & alternative method of payments available at the registration page.

Get To Know Restorative Justice

Experience and analyze the RJ Circle.
Develop skills of a Circle Facilitator.
Consider the legal and ethical issues of Restorative Justice processes.
Leave with an understanding of this alternative paradigm of community engagement towards non-punitive conflict resolution.