Restorative Justice Ministry
The Support
We Offer
We offer healing and rehabilitation opportunities to those affected by crime—both victims and offenders—within our communities.
Help Us
Help Others!
Find your Calling Through Restorative Justice Ministry Volunteer Opportunities.
Dear Community,
This St. Valentine’s season, we invite you to help deliver compassion where it is needed most: to the men and women living behind the walls of the San Francisco County Jails. Your kindness can remind someone that they are seen, valued, and not forgotten.
This year, we are offering three meaningful ways to volunteer. Choose one or all three.
- Write St. Valentine Cards and Prepare Treats Friday, February 6, 2026
Join us for a full day of writing heartfelt cards and assembling treat bags for incarcerated individuals.
Location: 1 Peter Yorke Way, San Francisco
Time: 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Free continental breakfast and lunch provided
Parking is available
This simple act of writing a card can bring comfort, dignity, and hope to someone who rarely receives personal mail.
- Deliver Valentine Cards and Treats Thursday, February 12, 2026
Join our team as we deliver cards and treats directly to individuals inside the San Francisco County Jails, including the women housed at County Jail Number 2. Your presence lets them know their community has not forgotten them.
- Donate Toward Treats
If you cannot participate in person, you can still make a meaningful impact by donating toward the cost of treats. Your support helps us reach every person in custody.
Donations can be made at: sfarch.org/rjdonate
Why Your Participation Matters
Every card, every delivery, and every donation becomes a message of mercy and hope. St. Valentine’s Day gives us a powerful opportunity to extend compassion to those who need encouragement the most. And as a bonus, you can even impress a loved one by sharing that you spent your Valentine’s season doing something truly meaningful for others. Happy St. Valentine in advance!
Ready to Join Us?
Register to volunteer at: sfarch.org/rjvolunteer
Donate at: sfarch.org/rjdonate
For questions, contact us at escobarj@sfarch.org or call 415 614 5572.
Events
List of events in Photo View
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE MINISTRY
Welcome to the Restorative Justice Ministry of the Archdiocese of San Francisco—a ministry of presence, healing, and hope. Rooted in the Catholic tradition of mercy and human dignity, this ministry serves individuals and families affected by crime, incarceration, and violence, fostering reconciliation and transformation across our communities.
We offer healing and rehabilitation opportunities to those affected by crime—both victims and offenders—within our communities. Through prayer, faith in action, prevention, and guidance, we strive to foster peace and justice. We believe that by being present in the lives of individuals, we can create a more harmonious and just society.
We advocate for justice and promote peace as we serve…
“Through our services, we advocate for peace, promote justice, and accompany those affected by incarceration, and violence with compassion and dignity.”
At the heart of our ministry is a commitment to healing, reconciliation, and hope. Rooted in Catholic social teaching, we serve individuals and families affected by crime, incarceration, and violence. We walk with the imprisoned, support their loved ones, comfort victims, and bring communities together to rebuild trust and foster peace.
Through prison and detention center outreach, reentry services, grief and trauma support, and victim healing programs, we advocate for justice that restores rather than punishes. Our mission is to reflect Christ’s mercy and uphold the dignity of every human life.
- We hold prayer services at crime sites for families of homicide victims.
- We provide support to families during and after the funeral.
We organize healing circles for crime survivors and the families of homicide victims. - We offer interfaith spiritual retreats for families affected by crime.
- We support and participate in Victims’ Rights Week conferences.
- We provide training for assisting crime survivors.
- We advocate for legislation, public policies, and programs that address the needs of crime survivors.
- We advocate for legislation, public policies, and programs that address the needs of prisoners.
- We offer services to enhance the reintegration prospects of former inmates into society.
- We train volunteers and support clergy in addressing the spiritual needs of those in jails and prisons.
- We participate in Prison Pen Pal programs, writing to prisoners who have no family support.
- We organize special events to support children of incarcerated parents.
- We facilitate dialogues and mediation between victims and offenders.
- We organize prayer walks and marches to promote community peace and healing.
- We offer training, retreats, and conferences focused on Restorative Justice and Practices for healing.
- We support community organizing efforts centered on Restorative Justice and Practices.
- We implement Restorative Justice Practices in schools.
We provide training for parents and teens on Restorative Justice. - We support coalitions and networks dedicated to violence prevention.
- We advocate for legislation and public policies aimed at reducing violence in local communities.
About The Support We Offer
The Restorative Justice Ministry of the Archdiocese of San Francisco offers compassionate support to individuals and families impacted by crime, incarceration, and violence. Our ministry provides:
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Pastoral Care and Presence – We accompany those in jails, prisons, and detention centers through regular visits, prayer, and spiritual guidance.
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Family and Reentry Support – We walk with families of the incarcerated and assist individuals as they transition back into the community, offering practical resources and emotional support.
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Victim and Survivor Outreach – We listen with empathy and provide healing programs for those who have suffered loss, trauma, or violence.
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Community Engagement – We work to build bridges of understanding and promote a justice system that focuses on restoration, not just punishment.
Our mission is to bring Christ’s healing to those often forgotten, creating pathways for dignity, reconciliation, and renewal.
– Restorative Parenting
– Parent-Teen Mediation
– Mi Familia en Cristo Radio
– Christmas Angels
– Restorative Justice Month
– 2022 Christmas Angels Family Event
– Resource Referrals
– Excell Network – Reentry Scholarship Program
– Annual Reentry Conference & Resource Fair
– Jail Ministry
– Thanksgiving Meals at San Francisco County Jails
– Christmas Card Drive
– Cards of Mercy
– Bible and Rosary Drive
– Advocacy, Public Policy & the Death Penalty
– 2022 Thanksgiving Meals in the San Francisco Jails
– 2025 San Quentin State Prison In-Custody Reentry Fair
– Students, volunteers join efforts to spread Easter joy in the jails
– Catholic Jail Ministry
– Biblical Restorative Justice and Practices Training
-Faith-Based Restorative Justice Training
-Restorative Practices Training
– Friends and Family of Prisoners