CCP Celebrates the First Graduates of the Restorative Justice Proficiency Certificate

This spring, we recognized the first cohort of graduates from Community College of Philadelphia’s new Restorative Justice Proficiency Certification. This program enables students to build community, uplift others and address harm by transforming relationships and promoting accountability and healing. Restorative Justice concepts can be applied in virtually any workplace setting and in personal relationships and projects too. All 19 of these graduates are investing in the growth of justice, which ultimately contributes to healing in Philadelphia and in our society as a whole.

Read on to hear from a few members of the first cohort:

Quinn Sunnolia

This program has been tremendously beneficial! It has increased my confidence in my ability to facilitate restorative justice processes, it has given me many new skills and tools for running processes, it has introduced me to new ideas and restorative concepts, and most of all it has given me a beautiful community of people interested in restorative justice. It was one of the best decisions I made about where to invest my energy!

Lauren Zalut

There is no program like this in Philadelphia. As I complete my practicum this semester, I’ve shared details of the program with many field professionals who are eager to learn more about our curriculum. Additionally, the professors are leaders in restorative justice and have been critical in shaping my practice; their support for students has truly allowed me to flourish.

Tremain Smith

This program is special because it is rooted in the experience of people who live and do the work in Philadelphia. Everyone shared who they were and where they came from with the shared goal of educating, uplifting and strengthening each other in the skills we were learning and the work we were doing and will continue to do. I gained everything the program promised and so much more. It gave me the knowledge and skills I sought, as well as a community that I trust and celebrate. It changed me in ways I will continue to nourish and develop the rest of my life.

Dwayne Washington

Completing this program has provided me with both personal healing and professional growth. When I was first introduced to Restorative Justice, I was in a dark place in my life; I didn’t fully understand what justice meant, let alone what it looked or felt like. This program changed my perspective entirely. 

The primary benefit was the power of healing. Through the “invisible circle” formed in class, I was reminded of the strength found in building and maintaining relationships. Professionally and academically, I benefited from seeing RJ principles modeled in action by the faculty and staff. This was crucial for me because it proved that the people involved from an administrative level were practicing what they preached for the right reasons. Additionally, the camaraderie with my classmates turned into real friendships that provided “real-life support” outside of the classroom.

Eli Rojas

I appreciated the continuity of thought within our group, watching how we've all reflected upon RJ and grown every semester, and over the summer has felt grounding in that everyone took it seriously. Through sharing our reflections with the greater group and developing our practice and visions of RJ, it felt like we were working together for a better future in Philadelphia.