THE MOVEMENT
Organized as a NPO in 1985 by community members who valued the vision of a restorative juvenile justice system, we now provide services and training in mediation, facilitation, restorative justice, all through an equity-informed lens.
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HISTORY
1985
Our restorative justice pilot program designed to reduce violence, juvenile crime, and address the needs of victims, proved extremely effective and efficient over the traditional justice model.
1994
RNW started training students to be conflict managers and peer mediators in their schools and founded the OR Peacemakers Conference for middle and high school students.
1998
Merger of the Family Mediation Program of the Youth Services Consortium and RNW took place, allowing for incorporation of teen mediators into volunteer mediator pool.
2002
Selected by the City of Portland as the sole provider of PDX’s neighborhood mediation services and facilitator of the residential sitting of community social services.
2007
Official creation of Youth and Facilitation programs to fulfill need for such services. Youth and Restorative Justice Program collaboration resulted in a pilot program focused on reducing the number of disproportionate minority disciplinary referrals within school and to the Juvenile Justice Department through restorative justice principles and practices.
2008
Pilot of our first Restorative Justice in Schools program in the Parkrose School District. We reduced disproportionate discipline for BIPOC youth by creating supportive and inclusive school communities.
2014
Merger of Uniting to Understand Racism and RNW took place, and RNW realigned its mission and strategy to incorporate an intentional racial and social justice lens to all services.
FUNDING & SUPPORT
Over the past five years, we have successfully expanded our training and consulting services to help subsidize our other programming. We are now looking to build partnerships with individuals, community foundations, and local businesses who want to join us in promoting inclusive and just communities in which people connect across differences and equitably share opportunities to thrive.
The Oregon Office for Community Dispute Resolution program, administered through the University of Oregon, supports all of our programs and assists Resolutions Northwest in managing its general operating costs.
The Mediation Program has been made possible in part by a grant from the City of Portland, Office of Community & Civic Life. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed by RNW do not necessarily represent those of the City of Portland or the bureau.