Broken Chains Ministry is founded on faith-centered Restorative Justice principles that we believe are reshaping the approach to criminal justice. Why is this important? Because about 2,100 people return to the Akron area community from incarceration every year.
About Restorative Justice
Retributive justice views crime as an act against the state and focuses on punishment. Restorative Justice understands crime as an act against people, relationships, and the community. A more holistic and inclusive response to criminal behavior seeks to provide leadership, reduce crime, improve behavior, strengthen society, restore relationships, and repair harm.
We employ proven practices of mentoring, identity restoration, faith-centered programs and education, workforce development, and advocacy to achieve these goals. In the process, we help improve public safety, restore individuals to the community with fairness, save taxpayer dollars, and generate positive economic impact.
Urbean Cafe
Take our Urbean Cafe workforce development program, for example. While providing unique employment and training for those reentering the workforce, the Café also provides individuals with the means to give back to the community in both personal and economic ways. Since its launch in 2011, the Café has generated more than $6 million in economic impact.
Lydia’s Home
At Lydia’s Home, we provide a faith-based, curriculum-centered recovery home program unlike any other we know. This certified Ohio Recovery Housing program offers a holistic approach to that has helped dozens of women overcome significant trauma, addiction, and incarceration to be reunited with children, families, and community and become contributing members of society.
Restorative Justice aims to address harms through cooperation, inclusion, and joint problem-solving with a focus on the future, along with a healthy respect for the past. This has the power to lead to transformational change and positive outcomes that help build a stronger community.
Learn more about Restorative Justice
Prison Fellowship International
The International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP)