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October Wrap-up: Restoration in Action at The HUB

October was a month of momentum, connection, and deep reflection at the Trenton Restorative and Transformative Justice (RTJ) HUB. As the season changed, our community came together through youth-centered workshops, restorative trainings, and collaborative experiences that continue to shape how we see and support one another.


Building Community Through Workshops & Training

Throughout October, our team facilitated several restorative practice trainings and youth workshops, bringing together educators, youth, and community partners. Each session created space to learn, heal, and grow, strengthening our collective understanding of what it means to lead with empathy, accountability, and care.


A Night Out on Broadway

In partnership with Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA), the HUB attended a Night Out on Broadway to see PUNCH, a compelling play centered on restorative justice. The performance was a powerful artistic demonstration of the depth and effectiveness of restorative processes. It reminded us that restoration takes time, it is layered, intentional, and deeply human. When handled with care, restorative approaches can be applied across all levels of offenses, creating space for truth-telling, healing, and genuine accountability.


Launching Our Work Readiness Pilot

This month also marked the launch of our Work Readiness Pilot Program, developed in collaboration with WorkWell Partnership. This initiative equips youth with workforce and life skills grounded in restorative principles, bridging Restoration to Occupation. The pilot stands as a reflection of what’s possible when young people are given both structure and support to step into their potential.


Honoring Youth Justice Action Month

October is recognized nationally as Youth Justice Action Month (YJAM), a time to uplift youth voice and reimagine justice. The HUB commemorated the month with a Youth Panel moderated by Detective Marlon Webb, and Restoration to Occupation Graduation Ceremony, where youth participants courageously shared their stories and recommendations for how systems can better support them.

We were honored to have Mercer County Prosecutor Janetta Marbrey deliver a powerful keynote that resonated with youth and partners alike, emphasizing empathy, equity, and accountability in action. Also in attendance were The Honorable Judge Thompson, probation representatives, and community partners, all bearing witness to the power of storytelling and the brilliance of youth when given space to lead.


Looking Ahead

As we move into the holiday season, we are filled with gratitude, for our youth, our partners, and everyone who continues to invest in this restorative work. October reminded us that change is not instant; it’s cultivated, through care, consistency, and community.

Together, we’re not just talking about transformation, we’re living it.


A Powerful and Courageous YJAM Event

And if you missed any of the action, don’t worry, we clocked all the tea on TikTok (@thehubtrenton)! From behind-the-scenes laughs to powerful youth reflections, you can catch the heart (and the humor) of our HUB family in motion. Follow us @youbelongatthehub on IG to see how restoration shows up in real time, one circle, one story, and one cup of tea at a time.



 
 
 
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