Episode 197: Restorative Justice Is Community Centered Work

What does it truly mean for restorative justice to be community-centered and held? In this powerful conversation, Molly Rowan Leach is joined by Lindsey Frischer (Southwest Community Justice Coalition), Cristina Cabeza (Colorado Coalition for Restorative Justice Practices), and Ames Stenson (Restorative Rainbow Alliance) & Englewood Municipal Court RJ Program) for a deep dive into coalition-building, relational accountability, and the living practice of restorative justice across Colorado. This is not a theoretical discussion. It is a grounded, hard-earned exploration of what it takes to build restorative infrastructure — inside systems, beyond systems, and sometimes in partnership with them. Together, they unpack: What “community-held restorative justice” actually looks like in practice Building coalitions across municipalities, courts, and grassroots spaces Asset mapping and capacity-building as alternatives to over-reliance on punishment Moving “at the speed of trust” Why restorative justice must actively dismantle harm — not replicate it The creation and impact of Colorado’s updated RJ Practitioner Guidelines The groundbreaking work of the Restorative Rainbow Alliance and LGBTQ+ inclusion in restorative practice As Cristina reminds us, community is not idyllic or abstract: “Community holds all of it.” From statewide policy work to small-town circle practice, this episode reveals how justice becomes sustainable when it is relational, intentional, and collectively stewarded. You’ll hear how community agreements, harm processes, and values-based organizing create real alternatives to punitive systems — and how restorative justice expands when it embraces transformative justice, equity, and shared power. This conversation is a masterclass in what it means to build justice together. If this episode moves you, please share it widely.Grassroots led stories shift culture. .   Host: Founder & Executive Producer Molly Rowan Leach (she/her), and Post Production Credits to our Social Media and Marketing Manager Logan Ward (he/him), who is also an accomplished Award-Winning Documentary Filmmaker (Remarkable, 2024) About: https://restorativejusticeontherise.org   RJ on The Rise LinkTree: Follow, Subscribe, and Engage in one place! Support 15 years of global independent restorative media efforts here.