I have worked as a mediator/facilitator for over 20 years in Portland, Oregon and am currently employed by the City of Portland as the Effective Engagement Solutions program specialist in the Office of Neighborhood Invovlement.

I am passionate about reimagining the culture of civic governance and eliminating disparities. I co-facilitate a monthly event called the Restorative Listening Project on Gentrification which is based on the principles of restorative justice and seeks to make visible the impacts of gentrification on the African American community in Portland.

Given what you say, i thought you might be interested to know of Restorative Circles, developed in part from Nonviolent Communication, which i'm pretty deeply into. In any case, welcome to this pattern language project! --John Abbe