Abstract
This chapter describes how a restorative process called community conferencing combined with a traditional community organizing effort transformed a neighborhood. The strengths and limitations of community conferencing are explored. The case study involves a seemingly intractable conflict involving football playing in a Baltimore neighborhood. The conflict which is described in the chapter led to a community conference that led to the creation of a football league and ultimately the transformation of a neighborhood. The chapter covers the history, principles, and practice skills associated with community conferencing. It suggests that community conferencing can be an important tool for addressing a conflict and is a very strong complement to traditional community practice interventions. The chapter further purports that community conferencing can be an effective strategy to support the development of collective efficacy, a condition that has been found to reduce crime, as neighbors know each other, share values, and are willing to intervene in neighborhood problems.
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | Social Work and Restorative Justice |
Subtitle of host publication | Skills for Dialogue, Peacemaking, and Reconciliation |
Publisher | Oxford University Press |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9780199863365 |
ISBN (Print) | 9780195394641 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1 2011 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Baltimore
- Collective efficacy
- Community conferencing
- Community organizing
- Community practice
- Conflict transformation
- Neighborhood organizing
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Social Sciences