Restorative Houston

Restorative Houston trains a diverse, multigenerational network of restorative justice practitioners in Houston, TX. The organization runs a free six-session Circle Keeping certification for community members, plus youth-led trainings and partnerships with schools and detention centers. It focuses on communities most harmed by punitive systems — including Black, Indigenous, LGBTQ+, and justice-impacted Houstonians — and works to build healing-centered alternatives across all Houston neighborhoods.

Mission Our mission is to train a multigenerational, diverse network of restorative justice practitioners who build community and repair harm in all neighborhoods in Houston. Ruling year info Executive Director Anita Wadhwa Main address 5415 Jessamine St Houston, TX 77081-6621 USA Show more contact info EIN 99-3223074 NTEE code info Counseling Support Groups (F60) IRS filing requirement This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990-N. Communication Programs and results What we aim to solve Houston, one of the largest and most diverse cities in the United States, faces a critical shortage of restorative justice (RJ) initiatives. Despite its size and diversity, the city lacks the necessary systems, programs, and infrastructure to offer sustainable alternatives to punitive approaches in education and criminal justice. This void disproportionately affects marginalized communities, including Black, Indigenous, People of Color, LGBTQ+, justice-impacted individuals, unhoused people, and those living in poverty. The stark disparities in Houston's education and criminal justice systems underscore the urgent need for restorative justice approaches. In the Houston Independent School District (HISD), Black students, who make up about a quarter of the student population, are seven times more likely to be suspended compared to their white counterparts. This inequity is further exacerbated by the state takeover of HISD, where underfunded schools serving Black and Brown students are se Our programs What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve? Our RJ Community Certification in Circle Keeping for Community Building is a 6-session learning journey for community members committed to bringing the values and practices of restorative justice into their neighborhoods, schools, and organizations. Through a combination of in-person and virtual sessions, participants engage in deep reflection, practical skill-building, and collaborative planning to become confident Circle keepers and RJ practitioners. Where we work Houston (Texas, United States) Houston (Texas, United States) Photos Videos Our Sustainable Development Goals Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals. Goals & Strategy Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress. Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results. Houston, though one of the most diverse cities in the U.S., lacks the restorative justice (RJ) programs needed to offer alternatives to punitive systems in schools and the criminal legal system. This gap especially harms Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those impacted by poverty and incarceration.Black students in Houston ISD are suspended at seven times the rate of white students. Libraries at low income schools are being turned into detention spaces. In Harris County, Black residents make up 28% of the population but 51% of those jailed.Restorative Houston responds with free Circles, youth-led trainings, and school and detention center partnerships. By centering impacted voices, we’re building a more just, healing-centered Houston. How we listen Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening. How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve? To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people’s needs and how we can help them achieve their goals, How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve? To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people’s needs and how we can help them achieve their goals, Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out? We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We act on the feedback we receive, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback, Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out? We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We act on the feedback we receive, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback, Financials Unlock financial insights by subscribing to our monthly plan. Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? about GuideStar Pro. Operations The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick. Board of directors Officers, directors, trustees, and key employees Highest paid employees Connect with nonprofit leaders Build relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today. Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? about GuideStar Pro. Connect with nonprofit leaders Build relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today. Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? about GuideStar Pro. This organization has no recorded board members. Board leadership practices GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section. Board orientation and education Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes CEO oversight Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Not applicable Ethics and transparency Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes Board composition Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes Board performance Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Not applicable Organizational demographics Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section. The organization's leader identifies as: No data No data No data No data No data