Building Paths to Healing and Growth: The Restorative Solutions and Failsafe-ERA Partnership

Written by Deb Cain, Owner Restorative Solutions

It has been a privilege to walk alongside Failsafe-ERA for many years, a relationship rooted in a shared commitment to justice and human potential. My involvement began in the planning of the inaugural Preventing Generations of Incarceration (PGI) Conference and continued involvement and speaking at the subsequent PGI Conferences. It deepened during my two-year tenure on the Failsafe-ERA Board. This journey has not just been professional; it has been a deeply personal journey, and I am honored to bring my business, Restorative Solutions, into formal partnership with an organization that continues to do such vital work for our community.

My work in restorative justice is rooted in a simple truth: we are all human, and we are all capable of growth. My path into this field was born from a place of humility. I entered this work with the conscious realization that I am far from perfect; I have made mistakes just like anyone else. That awareness drives my purpose: to help others gain the wisdom and tools they need to move forward. Whether through a Restorative Conference—where those who harmed, those who were harmed, and those affected come together—or through groups or individual sessions, my goal is always to create a space where genuine growth and understanding can take root. 

Through the partnership with Failsafe-ERA, Restorative Solutions is providing restorative justice groups and one-on-one sessions specifically for returning citizens. We guide participants through a process of deep self-reflection, centered on five essential restorative questions:

1. What happened?

2. What were you thinking at the time?

3. What were you feeling at the time?

4. Who has been affected, and how?

5. What can be done to repair the harm?

Beyond our direct work with returning citizens, we are also fostering broader community connection through our Family Roundtables. This year, we have been facilitating these quarterly, with plans to move to a bi-monthly schedule in 2027. We have covered vital topics like "Love and Boundaries" and "Building Trust and Connection." I am excited about our upcoming session on November 7 at the Failsafe office, where we will discuss "Supporting Youth (and Adults) through Stress, Anxiety, and Behavior Challenges."

While these initiatives are central to my work with Failsafe, Restorative Solutions offers an array of services designed to address conflict and build community in various environments. Beyond the Family Roundtables, my practice includes Restorative Justice Conferencing, specialized Community Circles, Restorative Justice Practices, Mindfulness, and ACEs training for schools, and Conflict Resolution and Team Building for the workplace. Each of these services is designed to facilitate healing and help individuals and organizations navigate difficult transitions.

This partnership with Failsafe-ERA represents more than just a business arrangement; it is a shared vision of what a community can look like when we prioritize repair and healing over punishment. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the important work being done at Failsafe, and I look forward to the continued healing and growth we will facilitate together in the months and years to come.