Little Book of Restorative Justice & Community: Reclaiming Connection and Responsibility for our Neighbors

Sheryl Wilson is a restorative justice practitioner, trainer, and educator with more than twenty years of experience. She holds a Bachelor of Science in mediation and communication studies and a Master of Liberal Studies with a concentration in restorative justice from the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities. She currently serves as the vice president of culture and belonging at Bethel College (Kansas) and is a past president of the National Association of Community and Restorative Justice (NACRJ). Sheryl is also an appointed member of the Kansas Supreme Court’s Advisory Council on Dispute Resolution. Previously, she served as executive director of the Kansas Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (KIPCOR) at Bethel College. Sheryl and her husband are parents of two adult sons.

Caitlin Morneau is a circlekeeper, educator, speaker, and community organizer dedicated to community-based, healing-oriented solutions to harm and injustice. As director of restorative justice at Catholic Mobilizing Network, she especially engages people of faith in the restorative justice movement. Caitlin holds an MA in conflict transformation from the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University and studies theology at Catholic Theological Union. Caitlin lives in Alexandria, Virginia, with her husband, two children, and black lab.

"Too often community and its responsibilities have been vaguely defined or taken for granted among restorative justice proponents. In this short book, the authors provide a comprehensive conceptual framework for what community means along with a vision and practical suggestions for living into a truly restorative community and society.  It is an important resource for both newcomers and seasoned practitioners in the field as well as anyone interested in promoting healthy communities." —Howard Zehr, Distinguished Professor of Restorative Justice, Eastern Mennonite University

"Community is at the center of restorative approaches, and yet so rarely deeply considered. This book fills a crucial gap in the restorative justice field by taking an in-depth look at the meaning and role of community through a restorative lens. Going beyond community's role in restorative justice processes in the wake of harm, Wilson and Morneau urge us to work proactively in all our interactions to build the Beloved Community. I highly recommend this book to all restorative practitioners, and those committed to building more connected and compassionate communities!" —Lindsey Pointer, Research Professor and Principal Investigator, National Center on Restorative Justice at Vermont Law and Graduate School

"At a time when people across the country and around the world are grappling with questions of safety, belonging, and what it truly means to live in community, The Little Book of Restorative Justice and Community arrives at the exact right moment. Sheryl Wilson and Caitlin Morneau bring community to the forefront of restorative justice conversations, reminding us that community is not a given but something that must be intentionally nurtured, especially in moments of conflict, division, and uncertainty. This book speaks to practitioners and advocates, as well as anyone who longs for safety, belonging, and meaningful connection in their everyday lives. It is a timely and powerful resource, offering both reflection and possibility at a moment when reimagining community feels essential in a rapidly changing world." —Joel Friesz, Executive Director, National Association of Community and Restorative Justice

"Restorative Justice and Community is an extremely well written and inspirational addition to the literature on restorative justice that began in the past century. Early writings and talks on restorative justice principles and practices that began appearing in the 1980s by number of us who have been in the field since the beginning, most notably Howard Zehr, provided the core values and practices that launched these initial reform efforts from very marginal and limited impact to what now is truly a social movement in the global community, with small and sometimes large RJ policies and programs in hundreds of countries, on every continent. Sheryl Wilson and Caitlin Morneau clearly address the full range and depth of restorative practices in its many expressions and community settings. Their comments on building restorative communities, the restorative self, and realizing beloved communities are truly inspirational and practical guides, rarely seen in much of the literature on restorative justice." —Dr. Mark Umbreit, International RJ practitioner, author and scholar and Founding Director of the Center for Restorative Justice & Peacemaking, University of Minnesota

"This book couldn't come at a more apt moment. As our communities are increasingly forced to fend off attack after attack, we can no longer afford to "mind your business." We never could. To have a chance, to move our neighborhoods, society, and the world towards freedom, safety, and true justice, to finally realize MLK's beloved community, we must do it together. There's no other way. This book meets this moment and illuminates a path. Thank you, Caitlin and Sheryl!" —Felix Rosado, Co-Founder, Let’s Circle Up

The Little Book of Restorative Justice and Community offers a guide to re-imagine community, create counter-hegemonic and beloved communities, and ultimately, to forge new collective futures.

• Fania Davis
• Leading national voice on the intersection of racial and restorative justice
• Author, Little Book of Race and Restorative Justice