Restorative Justice Youth Team Completes 12-Hour Program with NYCID
New York, NY – High School of Fashion Industries (HSFI) continues to foster leadership and communication excellence among its students through its Restorative Justice (RJ) Youth Team. Recently, the RJ Youth Leaders completed a comprehensive 12-hour Peer Mediation Training facilitated by the New York Center for Interpersonal Development (NYCID), reinforcing HSFI’s commitment to cultivating success skills—most notably, being an Effective Communicator.
The training, held over several sessions, focused on equipping students with foundational conflict resolution techniques. Participants learned and practiced strategies such as active listening, paraphrasing, “looping,” and nonverbal communication cues—skills essential for de-escalating tensions and promoting understanding among peers.
“Our RJ Youth Leaders are developing the tools they need not just to mediate disputes, but to create a school culture rooted in empathy, respect, and open dialogue,” said Ms. Valette, our Restorative Justice Coordinator. “Effective communication is at the heart of restorative justice, and these students are rising to the challenge.”
These trained youth leaders now stand ready to support their classmates as peer mediators, encouraging their fellow students to use clear, respectful, and restorative language when navigating conflicts. With their training complete, they are not only role models but also resources for students looking to resolve disputes in a healthy and productive way.
HSFI’s focus on success skills like effective communication is a cornerstone of our educational mission. Through initiatives like the Restorative Justice Youth Team, our school continues to provide real-world tools that empower students to lead, listen, and build community—one conversation at a time.