This session introduces the ecological framework guiding Project Restore, a community violence intervention that works with youth at high risk of violence who hold influence within rival street crews. The model views street-crew involvement and violence as responses to cumulative adversity, including interpersonal harm, social exclusion and structural marginalization in communities disproportionately affected by gun violence.
Project Restore asks: What combination of supports, opportunities and networks enables young people most impacted by violence to transition into healthy adulthood and assume constructive roles in their communities?
In response, Project Restore provides holistic support through individualized case management, mentorship from credible messengers with lived experience, restorative justice–based healing circles, life skills development and education and employment internships, along with stipends to support sustained participation. Together, these strategies are designed to foster personal transformation, strengthen pro-social networks, promote peaceful coexistence and reduce neighborhood violence.
The session will also share outcomes and lessons learned from the Bedford-Stuyvesant pilot at the individual, relational and neighborhood levels.
Geraldine Downey is the Robert Johnston Niven Professor of Humane Letters in Psychology at Columbia University and Founder and Director of the Center for Justice. An internationally recognized expert in identity development, social exclusion, interpersonal aggression, and rejection sensitivity, she brings over 30 years of experience researching and developing programs for justice-impacted individuals and communities. She is also a Founding Executive of Project Restore and leads its Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning efforts.
Questions? Email mvolpe@jjay.cuny.edu
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