Restorative Justice Apprenticeship
Restorative Justice Apprenticeship: Circle Keeping for Community Building
Learn the ancient practice of circle keeping to build stronger communities, facilitate healing conversations, and create spaces where everyone belongs.
Presented by Restorative Houston
What Is Circle Keeping?
Circle keeping is an ancient practice found in indigenous cultures worldwide that brings people together in a structured yet organic way. It creates a safe container for honest dialogue, deep listening, and collective wisdom.
Core Principles of Circle Keeping
- Equality: Everyone has a voice; no one person dominates
- Deep Listening: We listen to understand, not to respond
- Shared Leadership: The circle keeper facilitates, but wisdom comes from all
- Intentional Space: Creating conditions where truth and healing can emerge
- Ceremony and Ritual: Honoring transitions and marking important moments
Why Circle Keeping Matters Now
In a time of deep division and disconnection, circle keeping offers a proven path to:
- Build trust across differences and lived experiences
- Resolve conflicts without winners and losers
- Heal trauma in community rather than isolation
- Make decisions that honor all voices and perspectives
- Create belonging where people feel truly seen and heard
Whether you work in education, nonprofit leadership, community organizing, healing professions, or simply want to bring people together in your neighborhood—circle keeping provides a powerful framework for transformation.
About Restorative Houston
This apprenticeship is presented by Restorative Houston, a nonprofit organization dedicated to building restorative justice capacity across the Greater Houston area.
Restorative Houston's Mission
To cultivate communities where harm is repaired, relationships are restored, and everyone has the opportunity to heal and thrive through restorative justice practices.
What Restorative Houston Does
- Training and Education: Offering apprenticeships, workshops, and courses in circle keeping and restorative practices
- Community Circles: Facilitating healing circles, decision-making circles, and community-building gatherings
- School Partnerships: Supporting schools in implementing restorative discipline and creating cultures of belonging
- Justice System Work: Bringing restorative approaches to courts, probation, and reentry programs
- Organizational Consulting: Helping nonprofits, businesses, and faith communities integrate restorative values
🏢 Founded in Houston
Deeply rooted in the Greater Houston community and responsive to local needs
🎓 Experienced Trainers
Learn from practitioners with decades of combined experience in restorative justice
🌐 Connected Network
Join a growing community of circle keepers across the Houston region
💡 Proven Impact
Thousands of people trained, hundreds of circles facilitated, countless lives transformed
The Apprenticeship Experience
This is not just a training—it's an apprenticeship. You will learn by doing, practicing circle keeping in real community settings with experienced guides walking alongside you.
📚 30 Total Hours
Combination of instruction, practice circles, and community application
👥 Small Cohort
Limited to 12-15 participants for deep learning and connection
🎯 Hands-On Practice
Lead circles in your community with mentor support and feedback
🌱 Ongoing Support
Access to circle keeper community and resources after completion
What You Will Learn
- Circle Foundations: History, philosophy, and core principles of circle practice
- Facilitation Skills: How to hold space, ask powerful questions, and guide groups through difficulty
- Ceremony and Ritual: Opening and closing practices, use of talking pieces, and creating sacred space
- Conflict and Healing: Working with disagreement, pain, and transformation in circle
- Community Application: Adapting circles for different contexts—schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, healing spaces
- Personal Practice: Deepening your own capacity for presence, listening, and authentic leadership
Apprenticeship Structure
Phase 1: Foundation (10 hours) — Learn core principles and participate in practice circles
Phase 2: Practice (12 hours) — Co-facilitate circles with mentor support in community settings
Phase 3: Integration (8 hours) — Lead your own circles and receive coaching and feedback
Spring 2026 Timeline
Time Commitment
Total: 30 hours over 4 months
- Monthly group sessions (typically evenings or weekends)
- Practice circles in your community (scheduled flexibly)
- Individual coaching sessions (by appointment)
- Some independent reading and reflection
Ready to Begin?
Join us in learning this ancient practice for building the communities we need right now. Applications for Spring 2026 are now open.
Questions? Contact Restorative Houston or visit our Resource Center for more information.
