Restorative Justice Leadership Summit 2026
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
St. Mary’s Cathedral Event Center
1111 Gough Street, San Francisco
The Restorative Justice Leadership Summit brought together formerly incarcerated leaders, community organizations, faith leaders, advocates, and public partners for a day of meaningful dialogue, shared learning, and collaborative problem-solving.
Grounded in the theme: “Survival, Healing, & Redemption: Strengthening Collaboration for Youth & Community Safety,”
the Summit created space to reflect on the root causes of harm, uplift community-based solutions, and strengthen partnerships that support healing and community safety.
Moments in Action
Watch moments from the Restorative Justice Leadership Summit
Summit Overview
With 150 registrations and 120 attendees, the Summit reflected a strong cross-sector commitment to restorative justice and reentry work in the Bay Area.
Participants represented a wide range of sectors, including:
- Community-based organizations
- Education and youth-serving agencies
- Law enforcement and public safety
- Public health and behavioral health systems
- Faith-based organizations
- Workforce development and reentry programs
This diversity of voices created a rich environment for dialogue rooted in lived experience, professional expertise, and a shared commitment to dignity and healing.
Program Highlights
Welcome & Opening Reflection
The day began with a grounding reflection led by Julio Escobar, connecting the work of restorative justice to early childhood development, family relationships, and prevention.
Participants were invited into a space of reflection, leadership, and shared responsibility—recognizing that the work of justice and healing begins long before systems become involved.
Panel 1: Social Media, Youth Safety, & Violence Prevention
This session explored how online behavior influences school climate, youth wellbeing, conflict escalation, and community safety.
Moderator:
John Cunningham Jr., Program/Site Manager, Rubicon Programs Inc.
Panelists:
- Marc Berkman, CEO, Organization for Social Media and Safety
- Tony Payne, Assistant Superintendent, San Francisco Unified School District
- Jasmine Dawson, Director of City and Community Partnerships, SF Department of Children, Youth and Their Families
- Allison Adle, Youth Services Officer & Therapy K9 Handler, San Mateo Police Department
Participants engaged in structured table discussions following the panels, reflecting on key themes and bringing forward questions to panelists in a facilitated Q&A session.
“What we plant in childhood, we bear in adolescence.”
This reflection reminds us that the values, experiences, and relationships formed early in life shape the paths young people walk later on. Just as seeds planted in good soil grow over time, what we nurture in children—care, stability, guidance, and connection—will take root and reveal itself in adolescence and beyond. Julio Escobar
Panel 2: Root Causes of Violence: Trauma, Poverty, & Family Disconnection
This panel invited deeper reflection on the systemic and relational factors that contribute to harm and violence, emphasizing prevention, healing, and community-based responses.
Moderator:
Bobby Ehnow, PhD., Deacon and Director of the Office for Life, Peace and Justice, Diocese of San Diego
Panelists:
- William McCoy, Bay Area Initiatives Coordinator, National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform (NICJR)
- Andrea Gil, Program Manager, HOPE Coalition – San Mateo County
- Don Carney, Executive Director, Youth Transforming Justice
Community Voice & Impact
The Summit generated strong engagement and positive feedback from attendees.
“Thank you so much for inviting me to this powerful, thought-provoking leadership summit. The restorative justice community that you have cultivated is bearing rich fruit in the San Francisco Bay Area.”
— Deacon Bobby Ehnow
Conversations throughout the day highlighted:
- The urgency of early intervention and prevention
- The impact of trauma and family disconnection on youth
- The influence of social media on conflict and safety
- The importance of cross-sector collaboration
Reflections from Participants
Participants also raised key questions and themes that will continue to guide this work:
- The need for greater accountability among AI, social media, and technology platforms
- How to better support parents navigating online safety while facing housing and economic instability
- The challenge of prioritizing limited resources across urgent needs like mental health, housing, and prevention
- Strengthening youth identity, purpose, and connection beyond social media
Closing Reflection
The Summit closed with a collective reflection emphasizing that while the challenges facing our communities are complex, the potential for healing and transformation remains strong.
Participants were encouraged to carry forward:
- Understanding over judgment
- Connection over isolation
- Hope over despair
Acknowledgment of Volunteers
We extend our deep gratitude to the volunteers who made this gathering possible:
Sylvia Maraccini, Johana Bualat, Bella State, Jack Mootz, Dereck Pitre, Olivia Quinonez, Mark Delahoussaye, Maureen Lundy, and Saul Perez.
Continuing the Work
The Restorative Justice Leadership Summit is part of a broader effort to support reentry, healing, and community safety.
Upcoming Opportunities
Reentry Conference & Expo
Friday, September 18, 2026
Registration opens July 1, 2026
Reentry Webinar Series
November 4, 2026
San Quentin Rehabilitation Center Resource Fair
October 14, 2026
Excell Network Reentry Scholarship Fund
Ongoing support for education, workforce development, and leadership development
