My Story

This year, I have had the incredible fortune to join NCO as a circle keeper and program lead for KEY: Knowledge Empowers Youth. I have heard the phrase "restorative justice" many times as an educator, but I have not truly engaged in restorative practices with young people until KEY.

Rooted in cultivating relationships that help us see each other's humanity and hear each other's stories, KEY's peace circles provide young people intentional safe spaces to have open conversations about their identities and lived experiences, to reflect on their roles within their communities, and to grow as leaders and change agents. Our young people have so much to say about their lives, the ways they experience systems of power and oppression, and ideas for change, when given the time.

And it takes time. Our school-year circle program lasts for 26 weeks, but many of the conversations happened outside of circle too. Spending two full days at a Bronzeville high school each week, I have had hours of one-on-one conversation between circles. During our after-school and Saturday circles, I have deepened relationships with young people who share a totally different side of themselves when not in the school space. On field trips, have more deeply connected with people through meaningful service and through play. Twenty of our KEY students have engaged in year-long mentoring relationships with committed volunteers who connect with them weekly, just to "walk through life" together. I'm looking forward to spending my summer with the Summer Leadership Program, where a cohort of high school participants will spend eight hours each week digging more deeply into restorative concepts, learning about the Bronzeville community, and planning, pitching, and implementing an impact project.

Restorative justice flourishes with deep roots, and I appreciate the ways that NCO allows us to dig deeply, while also providing opportunities to young people where they are. You can't come to anything outside of KEY? We've got you for our in-school sessions. You don't go to one of our partner schools? You can join us for after-school. We acknowledge that people's needs are diverse and look for ways to respond to needs that have been identified, at a community and an individual level.

About NCO

New Community Outreach (NCO) is a community-based, non-profit organization committed to the greater Bronzeville’s youth and community on the south side of Chicago!

Our commitment is to cultivate restorative, safe spaces consistently so that we can collectively experience healing, reconciliation, and flourishing. Our programs and events aim to do just this in collaboration with our neighbors and partners.

My personal mission within NCO is to cultivate spaces and relationships that challenge oppressive views of Bronzeville youth and support young people to grow their agency within their individual lives and their communities.

What Can Your Donation Support?

• $50 - Funds one mentoring pair's personalized gifts to each other during mentoring events
• $100 - Funds school supplies (including backpack, supplies, and culturally relevant books) for three students at our Annual Back to School Fun Fair 
• $250 - Funds a monthly stipend for a student intern to work as a circle keeper during the school year 
• $500 - Funds 50 non-perishable care packages for the Garden to Table distribution (our average weekly giveaway)
• $912 - Funds one student stipend for participating in our 7-week KEY Summer Leadership Program 
• $1250 - Monthly food & materials expense for our KEY Program to provide meals, snacks, and activities for our circle sessions (serves almost 200 students)

These donation asks have a huge impact on the ways we are able to support our KEY students. Thank you for your support as I continue to learn and grow in this work!