At Malon’s Project, Inc., we champion trauma-informed restorative justice – an approach that recognizes the widespread impact of trauma and integrates that understanding into all aspects of the process. Restorative justice repairs harm by bringing together victims, offenders, and the community. It shifts the focus from punishment to reconciliation and rehabilitation. Trauma-informed practices acknowledge that trauma is pervasive, affects everyone differently, and can impact how people participate. Creating an environment where people feel physically, psychologically, and emotionally safe is critical. Transparency, peer support, collaboration, empowerment, and cultural awareness help foster trust and heal trauma.
Malon's Project has worked to integrate trauma-informed restorative justice into the juvenile justice system. We aim to avoid re-traumatization by making our programs participant-centered and strength-based. Safety, trustworthiness, and choice empower those we serve.
Creative writing is another transformational tool we utilize. Poetry, fiction, and memoir provide an outlet for self-expression and processing trauma. We offer guided prompts and a respectful space for each participant to share their authentic voice. Reflecting together cultivates empathy and deeper understanding.
At Malon’s Project, we teach 8 Positive Attributes: honesty, humility, gratitude, open-mindedness, compassion, responsibility, objectivity, and willingness. Integrating these values into our trauma-informed restorative justice and creative writing programs promotes profound healing. Participants gain resilience, self-efficacy, and the ability to re-author their stories.
The path ahead requires perseverance, but we remain dedicated to this work. With compassion as our guide, we can build a justice system focused on care, empowerment, and respect for all. We are grateful to be on this journey with our community.