Congregational Events
March 1, 2025 Unity Temple
Reimagining Justice: Can Restorative Justice Replace Punishment?
Restorative justice practices provide ways to address harm by facilitating collaborative dialogue that leads to healing. Instead of punishment, they result in agreements about what needs to happen to repair the harm that occurred. They are used in settings from schools and workplaces to Chicago’s Restorative Justice Community Courts that provide an alternative to our standard court system.
Skeptical? Curious? Wanting to learn more? Watch Unity Temple’s Reimagining Justice Video of the panel discussion held on March 1, 2025 at Unity Temple’s Community Center.
This 90-minute video is divided into 5 parts which can be viewed independently.
Part 1 (13 minutes): Introduction of the panel members and remarks from Dr. Mary Yeboah, educational leader, restorative justice practitioner, and founder of Create Proximity that exists to co-create more just and peaceful organizations.
Part 2 (25 minutes): Clifford M. Nellis, J.D., founder of Lawndale Christian Legal Center, which provides holistic community-based criminal defense legal services for youth and emerging adults. He served on the Executive Coordination Team that established the first Restorative Justice Community Court for emerging adults in the country.
Part 3 (13 minutes): Michael Tafolla is an independent trainer, facilitator, and consultant in trauma-informed and restorative practices with organizations ranging from public schools to lawmakers and the Chicago Police Department.
Part 4 (9 minutes): Keith “Aquil” Talley currently serves as a Prisoner Solidarity Program Specialist at UUPMI (UU Prison Ministry of Illinois) and is the Re-entry Program Coordinator for Phalanx Family Services.
Part 5 (25 minutes): Q & A, “5 Ways To Get Involved,” and Closing Prayer.
Reimagining Justice: Can Restorative Justice Replace Punishment?
Restorative justice practices provide ways to address harm by facilitating collaborative dialogue that leads to healing. Instead of punishment, they result in agreements about what needs to happen to repair the harm that occurred. They are used in settings from schools and workplaces to Chicago’s Restorative Justice Community Courts that provide an alternative to our standard court system.
Skeptical? Curious? Wanting to learn more? Watch Unity Temple’s Reimagining Justice Video of the panel discussion held on March 1, 2025 at Unity Temple’s Community Center.
This 90-minute video is divided into 5 parts which can be viewed independently.
Part 1 (13 minutes): Introduction of the panel members and remarks from Dr. Mary Yeboah, educational leader, restorative justice practitioner, and founder of Create Proximity that exists to co-create more just and peaceful organizations.
Part 2 (25 minutes): Clifford M. Nellis, J.D., founder of Lawndale Christian Legal Center, which provides holistic community-based criminal defense legal services for youth and emerging adults. He served on the Executive Coordination Team that established the first Restorative Justice Community Court for emerging adults in the country.
Part 3 (13 minutes): Michael Tafolla is an independent trainer, facilitator, and consultant in trauma-informed and restorative practices with organizations ranging from public schools to lawmakers and the Chicago Police Department.
Part 4 (9 minutes): Keith “Aquil” Talley currently serves as a Prisoner Solidarity Program Specialist at UUPMI (UU Prison Ministry of Illinois) and is the Re-entry Program Coordinator for Phalanx Family Services.
Part 5 (25 minutes): Q & A, “5 Ways To Get Involved,” and Closing Prayer.
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Pen Pals and Visits - As you may know, the UU Prison Ministry of Illinois does not officially connect people in prison to pen pals; rather, such connections are made through the Church of the Larger Fellowship Ambassador Program for Illinois. UUPMI helps congregations become equipped to do this work through education, visits, and ongoing support of those with Pen Pals.
Visit the Pen Pals Page to find out more about how you and your congregation can be connected. |
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Solidarity Circles - Solidarity Circles are a space where committed people engage in a community of commitment with someone returning from prison. Solidarity Circles is a concept born out of our experience and research affirming individuals know best what they need and can use several communities of support while attaining their full freedom. Solidarity Circles are formed in congregations where the affirming relationships for many different types of people can be found. UUPMI helps congregations become equipped to do this work through education and ongoing support of circle members.
Visit the Solidarity Circle Page to find out more about how you and your congregation can be connected. |
Congregations currently engaged with UUPMI:
The congregations below have volunteers who do, or have done, some or all of the following:
write to or visit pen pals; work with people in circles; engage in education, or have active Solidarity Circle Programs.
If you do not see your congregation listed here - please contact us for more information.
The congregations below have volunteers who do, or have done, some or all of the following:
write to or visit pen pals; work with people in circles; engage in education, or have active Solidarity Circle Programs.
- Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Church (Springfield)
- Beverly Unitarian Church (Chicago)
- Countryside Church Unitarian Universalist (Palatine)
- DuPage Unitarian Universalist Church (Naperville)
- First Unitarian Society of Chicago
- Northshore Unitarian Church (Deerfield)
- Second Unitarian Church (Chicago)
- Third Unitarian Church (Chicago)
- Unitarian Church of Evanston
- Unitarian Church of Hinsdale
- Unitarian Universalist Church of Elgin
- Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Bloomington Normal
- Unity Temple (Oak Park)
- Universalist Unitarian Church Peoria
If you do not see your congregation listed here - please contact us for more information.