Ankita Joshi ’26 National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center (NIWRC) 

This past summer, I had the honor of working with the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center (NIWRC) as a Boskey Restorative Justice Fellow. I was thrilled about this opportunity because the fellowship’s focus on researching and advocating for holistic solutions to the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Crisis aligns seamlessly with my aspirations to address systemic issues and contribute to the well-being of marginalized communities. During the fellowship, I collaborated with NIWRC’s Safe Indigenous Housing Center (STTARS) to help create a “Know Your Rights” campaign for survivors of domestic abuse. The extensive Law and Order Codes of different Federal Indian tribes can make it challenging for survivors to access critical information when they need it, leaving them vulnerable to cycles of re-victimization. The “Know Your Rights” campaign for various tribes adopts a restorative justice approach, empowering survivors by providing them with the necessary information to access and maintain safe housing. 

In addition to the “Know Your Rights” campaign, I researched and developed policy recommendations for a whitepaper on the lasting impact of boarding school initiatives on the MMIP crisis. I also contributed to the development of a Constitutional Law Teaching Guide on Federal Indian Law. Both projects provided me with invaluable experience in delving into an extremely complex area of law and deepened my understanding of the power restorative justice has in recentering conversations around survivors. Following this fellowship, I am incredibly grateful to have worked with such an inspiring team and aim to incorporate restorative justice approaches in all my future work. 

Donny Barrios Mason ’26 Red Hook Community Justice Center 

I wanted to start my law career with an understanding of how some of the abstract learning from my first year at Cardozo applied directly to our daily lives and to our communities. The fellowship gave me this unique opportunity that sets the foundation for my future endeavors, and for which I will always be grateful. 

The restorative approach at the Red Hook Community Justice Center has profound effects on the community. It addresses not only the symptoms but also the root causes of criminal behavior, such as substance abuse, mental health issues, and unemployment. By providing access to social services, counseling, and educational opportunities, the Justice Center helps break the cycle of crime and supports long-term community stability. My experience of working at the Red Hook Community Justice Center offered me invaluable insights into the transformative potential of restorative justice. By focusing on healing, responsibility, and community reintegration, the Justice Center not only addresses criminal behavior but also fosters a more compassionate and cohesive community. These principles manifest in various programs and practices at the Center. Offenders may participate in restorative circles, mediation sessions, and community service projects. These activities aim to foster dialogue, promote understanding, and facilitate healing. One of the most striking aspects is the emphasis on dialogue and empathy. Victims are given an opportunity to express how the crime affected them, which can be a powerful experience in their healing process. Offenders, in turn, confront the human impact of their actions, which often leads to genuine remorse and a desire to make amends.