Institute for Transformative Mentoring Healed People, Heal People
WHAT IS ITM? The Institute for Transformative Mentoring (ITM) is a dynamic group of trainers focused on the development of credible messenger mentors (formerly incarcerated and system-impacted men and women) working in the social services fields throughout New York City. WHAT ARE CREDIBLE MESSENGER MENTORS? These mentors help young people navigate community violence and avoid the criminal justice system. Credible Messenger mentors are community members with relevant life experience and social capital that give them the authority to challenge the norms and change the thinking of those with whom they work. In the justice context, Credible Messengers come from the same neighborhoods as the participants they support, have a history of justice-involvement themselves, and are engaged in their own healing and transformation. Credible messengers are gaining systems-level recognition in New York City as an effective strategy to reduce crime and criminal justice involvement. These mentors help young people navigate community violence and avoid the criminal justice system.
MEET THE ITM TEAM
Keyonn Sheppard
Natalie Yearwood
Kevin Aportela-Flores
William M. Evans
MEET THE ITM TEAM
Nicole Lavonne Johnson-Smith
Brittney Davis
Darrell “Abdul Malik” Inniss
Larry “Brown” Ingram
ITM is a Project of:
The Center for New York City Affairs (CNYCA) at The New School is an applied policy research organization. The Center works where people’s lives intersect with government and community organizations to illuminate the impact of public policy on the lives of individuals and communities. Our research focuses on what works, practical solutions, rigorous analysis, and provides real-time feedback for policymakers, providers, and communities. We have built a strong track record of creating change in the areas of education, child welfare, poverty, and juvenile justice.
WHAT WE DO:Credible Messenger Training & Professional Capacity Building ●
Transformative Mentoring (1500 NSBA) is a comprehensive semester-long training course designed to empower Credible Messengers by enhancing their professional skills and facilitating personal healing. Utilizing restorative justice practices and interactive learning methods, the course fosters deep engagement with both the material and fellow participants. Spanning approximately 90 hours of classroom instruction and activities, this course is offered twice a year—during the fall and spring—to Credible Messengers employed at social service agencies throughout New York City, equipping them to better support those they serve.
WHAT WE DO:Credible Messenger Training & Professional Capacity Building
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The Public Policy Fellowship is a five-month long fellowship for experienced credible messengers who have completed ITM’s Transformative Mentoring course. Through a competitive application process graduates are selected to participate in the PPF where they share previous and/or current lessons learned and discuss their interest in shifting policy and practices impacting the work of credible messengers. Participating fellows meet weekly to study issues and policies associated with anti-gun violence strategies, learning about current policy initiatives and building relationships with other
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Self-Care & Empowerment (SCE) is a transformative program aimed at supporting opportunity youth across New York City by providing essential tools for personal growth, resilience, and self-advocacy. Through a safe and supportive environment at The New School, participants are encouraged to explore their potential and gain self-awareness, while being matched with organizations for hands-on learning and employment opportunities. This paid initiative spans 16 weeks, allowing young individuals to work up to 15 hours per week, empowering them to thrive both personally and professionally.
WHAT WE DO - Continued ●
The Restorative Supervision initiative (RSI) is vital for fostering culturally competent management practices that benefit both supervisors and Credible Messenger staff. By creating an environment where credible messengers feel supported and understood, this initiative empowers managers to effectively guide their teams toward achieving programmatic and organizational goals. Emphasizing restorative principles not only improves communication and collaboration but also enhances the overall well-being of staff, ultimately leading to more successful outcomes in service delivery.
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Customized Workshops: As credible messengers in our field, our team excels at designing customized workshops that cater specifically to the unique needs and goals of our diverse partners. These workshops are not merely pre-packaged solutions; instead, they are thoughtfully crafted based on the valuable insights and feedback we gather from both students and our partners. By engaging with stakeholders, we make each workshop relevant and impactful, creating an environment where participants feel empowered and connected. This intentional approach fosters personal learning experiences that drive engagement and facilitate meaningful growth.
Fania Davis, The Little Book of Race and Restorative Justice “Consonant with African and other indigenous communitarian values, restorative justice (RJ) is profoundly relational and emphasizes bringing together everyone affected by wrongdoing to address needs and responsibilities and to heal the harm to relationships and community, to the degree possible. While often mistakenly considered only a reactive response to harm, restorative justice is also a proactive relational strategy to create a culture of connectivity where all members of a community thrive and feel valued.”
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Thank you! ITM information: itmemail@newschool.edu http://www.centernyc.org/itm-home
HEALED PEOPLE, HEAL PEOPLE
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