restorative practices

by Kristina Hulvershorn, Director of Humane Education and Restorative Practices February 27, 2017 was a big day for the youth of Indianapolis.  On that day, our city passed a Climate Resolution, which seeks to reduce carbon emissions, increase energy efficiency and renewable energy use, and help make our city climate-change resilient. This resolution makes our city the largest in the country with a youth-led resolution of this kind.  That's right..youth-led.  Youth of varying ages met with city councilors, helped with the language in the resolution, and gave speech after speech to their city council members, passionately articulating why we all need to pay attention to climate change. City Council Vice President Zach Adamson, the sponsor of the resolution remarked "I am overjoyed to see our city take this important step in reducing our negative impact on our environment and stand as an example for our residents and other cities. I'm also grateful for the vision of our City Council and our mayor to make these critically important changes. I'm proud to have played a small role behind the extraordinary drive and effort of these young Hoosiers who will inherit the world we leave them." How did we get here?  This group of youth became connected 3 years ago through a joint project of Peace Learning Center, HEART and Earth Charter Indiana.  We had the idea of connecting youth concerned about this issue for a week-long summer camp. We offered them interactive