RESOURCES &
REPORTS
Circles for Difficult Times: An RFNL Guide
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In times of uncertainty, grief, or disruption, many of us are holding questions about how to create space for people to process what is happening around them while continuing our work and daily lives.
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Recent events, both close to home and around the world, have made these questions especially present in classrooms, workplaces, community spaces, and homes. When difficult moments arise, the instinct to move quickly past them can be strong. However, research affirms that sharing within community during times of trouble supports the processing of grief and disruption and should not be overlooked or avoided.​
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Circles for Difficult Times is a facilitation guide developed by RFNL to support thoughtful, relational engagement during challenging moments. It offers a flexible talking circle structure that can be used in schools, workplaces, families, and community settings to help people pause, listen, and be together with care.
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Support shared listening and connection
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Avoid assumptions about how people are impacted
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Offer options for pacing and depth
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Centre relational safety, dignity, and belonging
Whether you are familiar with circle practice or just beginning, this resource is offered as a gentle starting point.
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If you would like additional support or would like to talk through how this resource might be used in your context, please feel free to reach out to us.
These are free resources we’ve created through our work at Relationships First NL to support restorative ways of living and learning. Stay tuned for more coming soon!
"I used your interactive study guide last year 2024-2025 during our monthly collaboration. We have a small team and didn't have time for every activity, but every month provided thought-provoking questions on topics we just "knew" or took for granted. I highly recommend it for those implementing Restorative Justice Education. Thank you for providing free, excellent materials."
Classroom Resource
Two-Eared Listening for Deeper Understanding
A classroom resource for buiilding understanding and respectful dialogue through intentional listening.
Book Study
Little Book of Restorative Justice in Education: Interactive Book Study
An interactive book study to support learning and reflection on holistic restorative justice in education.
Classroom Resource
A Cup of Kindness Yet
Creative classroom resources for exploring kindness, care, and connection with students.
More
Stay tuned!
This space will continue to grow as new RFNL resources are developed and shared.
This is a collection of books we recommend over and over again to anyone and everyone interested in restorative justice.
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