About PiRI
Mission and Vision
Partners in Restorative Initiatives (PiRI) is committed to building connection by facilitating conversations, offering space for community and understanding, and providing training in Restorative Practices. Grounded in indigenous peace making tradition, we value belonging and equity of voice. Our vision is a restorative culture where all members of every community experience connection and have the means to build and repair relationships.
Voices of PiRI
Since 1998, PiRI has brought Restorative Practices to the Rochester community. This work requires deep commitment, time, and support to bring processes and experiences which connect, heal, and resolve conflict. None of this work is possible without those who work with PiRI. Their voices tell the story of the work we have done and seek to do.
Restorative Practices have resonated with me for more than half of my 40-plus year career in youth and human services as processes for communities to address and resolve conflict and harm, centering the client/patient/victim in the middle of a support circle and using the power of community to best to find positive outcomes for the challenges faced.
Restorative Practices have the power to change organizations and community culture. Its concepts and philosophies are now more critical than ever before.
Chuck Allan, PiRI Board Member
As schools continue to struggle from the aftermath of COVID with teacher burn-out, student absenteeism, threats of school safety, and the political influence on climate and culture, Restorative Practices enhance and support a dynamic teaching and learning environment where deeper learning and engagement takes place because all voices matter. At PiRI, our hearts are “all in” on supporting schools in this work.
Sam Bonanno, Program and Office Manager
When I started my work with PiRI many schools knew very little about Restorative Practices and were investing in traditional discipline, punishment, and suspensions. Today I know first-hand that districts are transforming their policies to reflect a restorative mindset and PiRI has played a significant role in empowering schools to create cultures where there is accountability and everyone feels valued.
Betty Reinhart, PiRI Trainer and Facilitator Team
Through the essence of Restorative Justice, PiRI is connecting with families and youth who are striving to navigate new ways of healing and repairing harm within their lives and community. We are facilitating fair processes where all voices are heard to excavate root causes of conflict and come to collective agreements to ultimately create a sense of empowerment to those who may have felt hopeless prior to engaging with us.
Grequan Carter, Director of Restorative Justice and Community Engagement
After retirement I learned about PiRI and jumped right in. I reached out to my local library in Fairport and started a monthly connection circle that has been meeting for a year. I have been amazed at the depth of connection in a circle and the level of need for connection in the community, especially after COVID.
Linda Louison-Krause, PiRI Trainer and Facilitator Team
PiRI seeks to honor and define what Restorative means, both in the spirit of the Indigenous ways and to those we work with in collaboration and service. We seek to truly respond to the needs and requests of people, systems, and communities that are hurting, isolated, and/or steeped in conflict and looking for a different way forward. One circle at a time, one conversation at a time, we genuinely believe in the transformative power of Restorative Practices and Restorative Justice to support one another and create opportunities for all of us to be our best for ourselves and for one another.
Jessie Able, Co-Executive Director