Maine Restorative Justice Coalition

With MERJ, it’s all about community. We do this work to build relationships, repair harm, and support and strengthen our communities.

MERJ is a coalition of people who self-identify as either independent community-based restorative practitioners or belong to community-based restorative practicing organizations.

To join our network, click here.

Restorative Justice

Restorative justice is a way of addressing harm that focuses on repairing relationships and recognizes the importance of community in healing and accountability processes.

Transformative Justice

Transformative justice is an approach to repair that seeks to: address harm outside of the system (e.g. the justice system); avoid creating more harm; and dismantle the systems which cultivate the conditions for harm to happen in the first place (adapted from Mia Mingus)

Organizing for Sustainability: MERJ committees

Legislation

This committee focuses on both legislation that is explicitly focused on advancing restorative justice opportunities and on kindred policy such as health access, housing, economic equity, and more.

Learn About Legislation Initiatives

Practitioners Exchange

A monthly gathering for those facilitating the implementation of restorative practices and / or harm repair processes in order to share, support, and learn from each other.

Learn About Practictioners Exchange

Education

This committee seeks to establish best practice, to listen to and support local school communities and to imbue cultures of dignity and worth into every educational setting possible.

Learn About Community Education

What is MERJ?

MERJ is a coalition that warmly embraces individuals who belong to community-based restorative practice organizations or who self-identify as independent community-based restorative practitioners. Our practice of open doors and belonging culture eagerly seeks guests or interested parties to join us in our journey toward collective community healing, valuing each and every contribution.

We strive to do this work with cultural awareness, which means we respect and value the diversity of cultures and communities we serve. This is a key aspect of our work, as it helps us understand power dynamics and other roles/barriers/systems that prevent us from doing it in its full capacity and ensures that our practices are inclusive and respectful of all individuals and communities.

Let Us Build a Flourishing Maine Together

We do this work to build relationships, repair harm, and support and strengthen communities. We aim to collaboratively establish and sustain restorative practices and principles across Maine by building resources, advocating for legislation, promoting education, and fostering cooperation among restorative justice practitioners and organizations. Our involvement is crucial in making this vision a reality.

Have a Project in Mind?

We are open to collaboration and can help you bring your ideas to life. Let’s talk about what we can build together.

Connect with Us