The Power of Restorative Justice
We are all part of systems — whether that is our family system, the schools we work at or have our children at, or the health care we must use to meet our needs. Return to the Roots specifically works within the school system and other places where youth are because we believe that they are our future and we must support them if we are going to survive and thrive as a world.
Inspired by her own family's challenges with the school and health care systems, Return to the Roots’ Founder, Brighid O’Shaughnessy, grew a passion for addressing larger-scale opportunities for healing and transformation. After receiving a Masters in Social Work with a focus on Trauma from The University of Chicago, she has spent the last six years working within schools on the South and West sides of Chicago. Her focus has been on advocating for the rights of youth through Restorative and Transformative Justice, especially youth of color, those with disabilities, and/or those who are neurodivergent. Brighid has a particular passion for working with youth who are Autistic, have FASD, ADHD, and/or complex trauma histories and has a deep strength at building relationships with traditionally hard to reach kids.
Through this work, Return to the Roots facilitates practices that help both youth and adults access their inner light, build healthy relationships, address harm when it happens, and engage in daily work to create spaces of safety and belonging.
"One of Brighid’s exceptional talents is her natural gift for listening and affirming others. She creates a space where everyone feels heard and valued, fostering a sense of trust and openness. Her approachability is remarkable and her insights into student behavior and restorative practices have been enlightening. Through our collaboration, I have learned a great deal, and her guidance has undoubtedly improved my approach."
Vanessa O, School Counselor
"You have helped me open up and share more about my life. You are literally the nicest teacher in the whole school. Seeing you in the talking circles being so kind and interested in what the kids have to say told me that I can come to you and you will be there for me. You have shown me every day since then that this is the truth.".
Gianna, 5th Grade CPS Student
★★★★★
★★★★★
"I loved your ideas and overall approach to helping my son! It was a breath of fresh air. I look forward to seeing how using his ADHD to his advantage will be. Thank you for your kindness and your next level expertise, Brighid!"
— G. L., Public School Mom of a 1st grader
Return to the Roots is a CPS vendor and is available for:
Professional Development (Topics can include:)
Discovering your Mission, Vision, and Values
De-escalation Approaches to Working with Students
Reimagining Discipline
Social and Emotional Living for Adults
Strengths-Based Support for Neurodivergent Students
Restorative Justice 101
Talking Circle Facilitation
Holding Restorative Conversations
Peace or Grief Circle Facilitation
Long-term Coaching, Mentorship, and Consultation Work (This can be for administrators, teachers, staff, SECA's, parents, after-school employees, recess/lunch monitors, etc...)
Support to Embed RJ into Macro + Micro Level Decision-Making
Diverse Learner Advocacy, including IEP support, family + teacher strategizing
Family and Parent Coaching
Speaking Engagements and Social Work Class Visits
Creative Project Visioning and Implementation (i.e. Student Led Career Day, Collaborative Mural Projects, Arts Integration Identity Exploration, Elder Project)
Brighid kept busy in 2024 - 2025 working at Hillside Elementary School, offering social work services and Restorative Justice coaching. During that time, she also offered RJ consulting to Thrive Community Mental Health alongside colleague Dr. Rahul Sharma and did recent RJ visits to a graduate-level social work class at Loyola University with Dr. Suresh Unni and with teen leaders through ROCO (Romanian Community Center of Chicago). She is currently working with Dr. Lessing, English teacher at Oak Park River Forest High School, on an arts based Elder Project where students will interview elders and then create artistic expressions that bring the conversation to life.
To begin the conversation, please email Brighid O'Shaughnessy at brighid@returntotheroots.org.
At Return to the Roots, we believe that schools can be places of both safety and belonging as well as transformation.
Check out this podcast where Brighid was interviewed about her work in Trauma-Responsive Restorative Justice.