NACRJ AWARDS: RECOGNIZING LEADERS IN COMMUNITY AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE

Community and restorative justice has grown tremendously in recent decades in thanks to countless individuals, organizations, communities, and groups who work tirelessly on these efforts across the U.S. and world. As part of its national conference, NACRJ recognizes leaders in six categories who have a consistent record of putting the NACRJ mission and vision into action.

The Call for Award Nominations is closed.

Dr. Mara Schiff, NACRJ Founding Board Member, presents Thalia Gonzalez with the Research/Journalism Award in Community and Restorative Justice at the July 2022 national conference. Thalia joined the NACRJ Board of Directors in fall 2022.

Dennis Maloney Youth-Driven Award

The Dennis Maloney Youth-Driven Award recognizes individuals, organizations, or groups who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to youth-led or youth-focused community and restorative justice initiatives. While not exclusively, this category particularly encourages the recognition of youth and young adults aged 24 and under. Criteria include:

Youth Leadership and Engagement: Nominees should have a demonstrated record of meaningful youth involvement in leadership roles and decision-making processes, and/or offer youth-focused programming pertaining to community and restorative justice initiatives.
Impact on Youth and Communities: Nominees should have a significant and positive impact on the lives of young people and the broader community it serves.
Innovation and Adaptability: Nominees should have a record of exhibiting innovation and adaptability to the evolving needs and challenges faced by youth and young adults.

NACRJ honors the memory of Dennis Maloney with an award in his name. Click here to learn more about Dennis Maloney.

Recipients of the Dennis Maloney Youth-Driven Award

2024 Recipient - RYSE Center, Richmond, California

2022 Recipient - Circles & Ciphers, Chicago, Illinois

2019 Recipient - Cindy Bigbie, Coordinator, Community Connections, Tallahassee, Florida

2017 Recipient - Ayesha Brooks, Restorative Practices in Schools, Los Angeles, California

2015 Recipients - Cheryl Graves, Ora Schub and Robert Spicer, Community Justice for Youth Institute, Chicago, Illinois

2013 Recipients - Dr. Fania E. Davis & Mr. Eric Butler, Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth, Oakland, California

Leadership and Innovation Award

The Leadership Award recognizes individuals, organizations, or groups who have demonstrated outstanding leadership or innovation in community and/or restorative justice. Criteria include:

Restorative Leadership: Nominees should demonstrate a commitment to living their personal and professional lives consistent with community and restorative justice principles, values, and practices.
Vision and Innovation: Nominees should exemplify visionary leadership that has expanded, broadened, or diversified the application of community and restorative justice in new and innovative approaches.
Empowerment and Capacity Building: Nominees should have a record of building diverse collaborations and partnerships that bring people together in meaningful ways.

Recipients of the Leadership and Innovation Award

2024 Recipient - Mike Milton, Founder and Executive Director of Freedom Community
Center, St. Louis, Missouri

2022 Recipient - Silas Deane, Founder and Director of Community Readiness at Tyler Technologies, Nashville, Tennessee

2019 Recipient - David Karp, Professor, School of Leadership and Education Sciences, University of San Diego, San Diego, California

2017 Recipient - Sujatha Baliga, Promoting Youth RJ Diversion Programs, Bay Area, California

2015 Recipient - Janice Jerome, Executive Director, Restorative Justice Institute of Atlanta, LLC

2011 Recipient - Janet Conner, Restorative Justice Educator, Victim Advocate and Peace Activist, Boston, Massachusetts

John W. Byrd Education Award

The John W. Byrd Education Award recognizes individuals, organizations, or groups who have achieved significant contributions in advancing the principles and practices of community and/or restorative justice through education and training initiatives. Criteria includes:

Impactful Education or Training Initiatives: Nominees should have developed or
contributed to educational program design and implementationprocesses that effectively educate audiences about the principles and practices of community and restorative justice.
Demonstrated Commitment to Best Practices: Nominees should have a consistent record of promoting and advocating for high quality practices with fidelity to community and restorative justice principles.
Achievements and Progress: Nominees should have examples of the positive impact their educational and training initiatives have had across sectors such as K-12 education, higher education, justice systems, workplaces, or the broad
er community.

NACRJ honors the memory of John W. Byrd with the John W. Byrd Education Award. Click here to learn more about John W. Byrd.

Recipients of the John W. Byrd Education Award

2024 Recipient - International Institute for Restorative Practices, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

2024 Recipient - Rita Renjitham Alfred, Restorative Justice Training Institute, California

2017 Recipient - Loyola Marymount University, Intercultural Facilitator Program, Los Angeles, California

2015 Recipient- Ms. Nancy Riestenberg, Restorative Practices Specialist for the Minnesota Department of Education

2013 Recipient - Dr. Daniel Van Ness, Executive Director, Centre for Justice and Reconciliation, Prison Fellowship International

2011 Recipient - Lorenn Walker, J. D., MPH, Restorative Law Practitioner, Waialua, Hawaii

2009 Recipient - Dr. Mark Umbreit, Executive Director, Center for Restorative Justice & Peacemaking, University of Minnesota

Bert Thompson Faith-Based Award

The Bert Thompson Faith-Based Award recognizes individuals, organizations, or groups who exemplify outstanding dedication in promoting community and restorative justice principles through faith-driven initiatives. Criteria include:

Demonstrated Faith-Centered Approach: Nominees should have a demonstrated record and deep commitment to community and restorative justice principles within the framework of their faith tradition.
Impactful Partnerships and Collaboration: Nominees should have developed or contributed to the formation of impactful and inclusive partnerships and collaborations within their own faith community or with other faith-based or non-faith-based groups.
Achievements and Progress: Nominees should have examples of the impact their initiatives have had on promoting peace, healing, and justice through community and restorative practices.

NACRJ honors the memory of Bert Thompson with an award in his name. Click here to learn more about Bert Thompson.

Recipients of the Bert Thompson Faith-Based Award

2024 Recipient - Ted Lewis, Restorative Church Project, Duluth, Minnesota

2022 Recipient - Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation, Chicago, Illinois

2017 Recipient - Eric Boldiszar, Inmate at Handlon Correctional Facility, Ionia, MI

2015 Recipient - Scott Wood, JD, Professor of Law, Founder of the Loyola Law School Center for Restorative Justice

2011 Recipient - Alexander McLean, JD, African Prisons Project, London, UK and Kampala, Uganda.

2009 Recipient - John Sage, Founder & Executive Director, Bridges to Life, Houston, TX

Dr. Gordon Bazemore Research Award

The Dr. Gordon Bazemore Research Award recognizes individuals, organizations, or groups who have made exceptional contributions to advancing research, theory, and practice in the fields of community and/or restorative justice. Criteria include:

Contribution to Knowledge: Nominees should have made significant contributions to expanding the theoretical understanding, empirical evidence base, or practical applications of community and restorative justice.
Impact on Practice: Nominees should have examples of how their research findings have informed or influenced policies, programs, trainings, or other initiatives aimed at applying community and restorative justice principles in diverse settings.
Engagement and Collaboration: Nominees should have a demonstrated record of partnering with diverse stakeholders, including but not limited to affected individuals, practitioners, policymakers, and researchers.

NACRJ honors the memory of Dr. Gordan Bazemore with an award in his name. Click here to learn more about Dr. Gordan Bazemore.

Recipients of the Dr. Gordon Bazemore Research Award

2024 Recipient - Dr. Briana Barocas, Chief Research Officer of the Center on Violence and Recovery, New York, NY

2022 Recipient - Thalia González, University of California Hastings College of the Law, San Francisco, CA

2019 Recipient - Danielle Sered, Executive Director of Common Justice, New York, NY

2017 Recipient - Dr. Marilyn Armour, Institute for Restorative Justice, Austin, Tx

Lifetime Achievement Award

The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an individual who has made vital contributions to the fields of community and/or restorative justice. Criteria include:

Impactful Leadership: Nominees should have a record of outstanding leadership, having initiated, developed, or led significant initiatives, programs, or organizations dedicated to advancing the principles and practices of community and/or restorative justice.
Sustained Advocacy and Engagement: The nominee should exhibit a sustained commitment to advocating for community and/or restorative justice at local, national, or international levels.
Inspiration and Influence: The nominee should be recognized as someone who has profoundly inspired and influenced others through their exemplary dedication, integrity, and visionary efforts in advancing community and/or restorative principles.

Recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award

2024 Recipient - Lorraine Stutzman Amstutz, Director of the Mennonite Central Committee Office on Crime and Justice, Pennsylvania

2024 Recipient - Nancy Riestenberg, Restorative Practices Specialist, Minnesota Department of Education

2022 Recipient - Margaret Thorsborne, Author, Practitioner, Trainer

2019 Recipient - Fania Davis, Co-Founder and former Executive Director of Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth (RJOY)

2017 Recipient - Ted Wachtel, Founder of IIRP (International Institute for Restorative Practices) Bethlehem, PA

2015 Recipient - Kay Pranis, Restorative Justice Practitioner, Theorist, and Author

2013 Recipient - Dr. Gordon Bazemore, Florida Atlantic University, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

2024 Award Recipients

Dennis Maloney Youth-Driven Award Leadership and Innovation Award John W. Byrd Education Award John W. Byrd Education Award Bert Thomas Faith Based Award Dr. Gordon Bazemore Research Award Lifetime Achievement Award Lifetime Achievement Award

Dennis Maloney Youth-Driven Award

RYSE Center

On the Richmond, CA landscape since 2008, the RYSE Youth Center is a place where integral parts of a hurting and glorious city come to shed conflict so that they may seek and create solutions.

RYSE was born from BIYOC (Black, Indigenous, Youth of Color) organizing to change conditions in Richmond and beyond. They understood creative expression and relationships as key strategies and values for cultivating atmospheric healing. They called on systems and adults to build power together with young people to dream and enliven a beloved community that is just and affirms their humanity.

Over the past 3 years, RYSE deepened its roots and raised its vision through expansion of the physical space. Moving from 6,600 square feet to 45,000 square feet, grown from RYSE’s healing-centered and creativity-led foundation, RYSE Commons fully opened to young people in Summer 2022. The activation of the RYSE Health Justice Center began in Summer 2023 and we have completed the RYSE Village, a youth-designed healing, performance, teaching and gathering space.

RYSE is a home, beloved community, and a movement creating brave spaces grounded in social justice that build youth power for young people to love, learn, educate, heal and transform their lives and communities.

Leadership and Innovation Award

Mike Milton, Founder and Executive Director of Freedom Community
Center

Mike Milton is the Founder and Executive Director of Freedom Community Center (FCC), a transformative justice hub in North City, St. Louis. FCC operates one of the first alternatives-to-incarceration and victim services processes for serious violence in the country. In just three years, FCC has supported over 200 people, both survivors of violence and those responsible for harm, in walking the path towards healing, accountability and transformation. In total Freedom Community Center has saved over 350 years of incarceration through their community-based diversion work.

Mike is a transformative justice practitioner, somatics healer, and organizer. Prior to Freedom Community Center, Mike spearheaded campaigns to build Black electoral power, led coalitions fighting for abolitionist policy change in the pretrial context, and built a local bail fund operation that secured the release of more than 4,000 people in the St. Louis region. Because of this work, St. Louis closed its infamous jail known as the Workhouse.

Inspired by the history of Black and indigenous collective care, Mike has dedicated his life to interrupting violence, promoting peace, organizing his community, and driving transformative policy change that invests in Black and poor communities. Rooted in an abolitionist future, Mike fights to tear down systems of oppression while building a world where everyone, especially Black people, are free.

John W. Byrd Education Award

International Institute for Restorative Practices

The International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP) Graduate School offers graduate education, professional development, and collaborative application services ranging from small private events to large multi-year programs. The IIRP is solely dedicated to the field of restorative practices, which studies the strengthening of relationships between individuals and improving social connections within communities.

To constantly strengthen their offerings and further the field of restorative practices, they also perform and convene research and publish applicable content.

The mission of the IIRP is to strengthen relationships, support communities, influence social change, and broaden the field of restorative practices by partnering with practitioners, students, and scholars.

They primarily serve people and organizations in K-12 education, higher education, community-based organizations, government & civic engagement entities, and criminal justice. Over the last 10 years, they have served 334 master’s degree graduates, 1,814 organizations, and 190,823 professional development learners.

John W. Byrd Education Award

Rita Renjitham Alfred, Restorative Justice Training Institute

Rita is first and foremost grateful to the children especially Black Indigenous Youth of Color, young people with ability challenges and their families, for their resilience. And grateful to the Water, Land, Trees, Rocks, Fire all sentient beings and the elements for continuing to be patient with us humans and consistently teaching us.

She is grateful to RJOY, Dr. Fania Davis and Jackie Wong of OUSD for believing in and sharing this process of transformation. She is grateful to Nancy Riestenberg for sharing her wisdom and practices of Peacemaking in schools. She continues to learn from all her educator partners in schools in California, United States and Canada.

Bert Thomas Faith Based Award

Ted Lewis

Ted Lewis, a beloved member of the NACRJ Board of Directors, passed away on July 23, 2024, just two months after learning of his cancer diagnosis. A dedicated member of the NACRJ community for over a decade, Ted served on the inaugural Advisory Council from 2014 to 2017 before being elected to the Board of Directors, where he remained an active and vital leader until his passing.

Ted's contributions to the restorative justice movement were profound and far-reaching. His work with faith communities, especially through The Restorative Church Project, exemplified his commitment to bridging the values of justice and faith. For this reason, he was posthumously honored with the Bert Thompson Faith-Based Award at the 9th National Conference on Community and Restorative Justice in Washington, D.C., on August 1, 2024.

Though Ted passed less than a week before the conference, he had been a strong advocate for hosting the event in the nation’s capital, and his contributions to the planning process were instrumental. His work with the Law and Policy Committee, particularly in engaging federal partners and policymakers, was a testament to his leadership and vision.

Ted will be deeply missed by all who knew him, and his legacy will live on through the lasting impact of his work.

Dr. Gordon Bazemore Research Award

Dr. Briana Barocas

Dr. Briana Barocas is a Research Professor at New York University’s Silver School of Social Work and serves as the Chief Research Officer at the Center on Violence and Recovery. Her interests in trauma, resiliency, and recovery have led to research on first responders, individuals and families affected by domestic violence, and survivors of 9/11.

She has two decades of experience in restorative justice applications to domestic violence harms and crimes in communities across the United States and currently serves as a member of the European Forum for Restorative Justice’s Working Group on Gender-Based Violence and Restorative Justice.

Her research has been supported by the Office for Victims of Crime, the National Institute of Justice, the National Science Foundation, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Defense. Her earlier research on work-family issues and current work on the response to and recovery from violence and trauma have strengthened her commitment to developing and researching programs and services that better the lives of individuals, families, and communities.

Dr. Barocas holds a PhD in social policy and policy analysis from Columbia University, an MS in gender studies from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and a BS in human development and family studies from Cornell University.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Lorraine Stutzman Amstutz

Lorraine began her work in the field of restorative justice before having an understanding of what it meant or looked like. After graduating from Eastern Mennonite University, she began working for the Victim Offender Reconciliation Program (VORP) in Elkhart, IN and then with Mennonite Central Committee in various roles, eventually as the Director of the Office on Crime and Justice, a position previously held by Howard Zehr who became her colleague and friend over the next 30+ years. That office then merged with Mennonite Conciliation Services and she became co-director with Michelle Armster of MCC’s Office on Justice and Peacebuilding. As part of her role at MCC, Lorraine taught a restorative justice course with Howard (and others after his retirement) at the Summer Peacebuilding Institute for 17 years.

In addition to writing/co-writing Little Books in the Justice & Peacebuilding series, Lorraine’s worldview was shaped by those she was honored to do restorative justice trainings alongside. This included domestic trainings across the country as well as travel to countries such as Bangladesh, South Korea, Kenya, Ethiopia, Northern Ireland and South Africa where restorative justice is being done in culturally appropriate contexts. And, it included amazing people who continue to be significant people in her life!

Lorraine was also privileged to serve on the board of the Victim Offender Mediation Association for a number of years as well as co-chair of the Advisory Council of NACRJ when the council was first implemented.

But, most of all, she is grateful for her spouse of 40 years, Jim, her 3 adult children and 4 adorable grandchildren for assisting her in learning what it means to live out the values of restorative justice in her own life.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Nancy Riestenberg

Nancy Riestenberg is Bob and Babe’s 5^th child, mom to Jono and Katherine, and partner to Bob. She likes cows and sitting in circle. That about sums it up!

She has worked at the Minnesota Department of Education for 30 years. During that time, she has been exploring, learning, teaching, and writing about restorative practices, the Indigenous knowledge that informs RP, and the circle process.

Before working with RP, she worked with Illusion Theater which produced educational plays on social issues: child sexual abuse and HIV/AIDS prevention. There she learned that laughter and a good story teaches more than stats and graphs.

Her role as the Restorative Practices Specialist gave her the opportunity to listen to the stories of RJ practitioners and share those stories with others. She did that in workshops and presentations, in articles and website resources, and in her book, Circle in the Square. She learned from people across the globe: Australia, England, Canada, Japan, Nigeria; from deep in Texas and high in Wisconsin. She is grateful for the stories that her family tells, for the stories of a circle. Good stories give us a picture of what has been and what can be: a world of kindness and caring.

NACRJ AWARDS: RECOGNIZING LEADERS IN COMMUNITY AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE

Recipients of the Dennis Maloney Youth-Driven Award

Recipients of the Leadership and Innovation Award

Recipients of the John W. Byrd Education Award

Recipients of the Bert Thompson Faith-Based Award

Recipients of the Dr. Gordon Bazemore Research Award

Recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award

2024 Award Recipients

RYSE Center

Mike Milton, Founder and Executive Director of Freedom Community
Center

International Institute for Restorative Practices

Rita Renjitham Alfred, Restorative Justice Training Institute

Ted Lewis

Dr. Briana Barocas

Lorraine Stutzman Amstutz

Nancy Riestenberg

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