In this 5-episode docuseries, a disillusioned ex-pat writer explores the impact of restorative practices in Detroit’s classrooms, courts, and executive boardrooms and views Detroit through the lens of a man whose family tragedy led to his vision of Detroit as a restorative city. 

Episode #1 -- Detroit Rising: How the Motor City Becomes a Restorative City: The brutal beating of Henry McClendon’s father by a group of troubled teens sparked a new vision for Detroit that not only included restorative justice, but led to repairing harm, restoring relationships and building social capital. (6 minutes, 47 seconds)

Episode #2 -- And Justice for All: Detroit’s Frontline Court Workers Find Solace in Circles: Spit on both sides of the customer services window in Detroit’s Third Circuit Court indicated broken relationships between court employees and the people they serve. Using a restorative check-in circle, court staff are finding the professional and personal support to help residents who they often see on their worst day. (7 minutes, 26 seconds)

Episode #3 – Building a Heart-Centered School in the Real World: Two weeks before the start of a new school year, Hope Academy, a public charter school in Detroit, grapples with the challenge of sustaining a restorative practices culture amidst staff changes, student expectations, and community involvement. (10 minutes, 32 seconds)

Episode #4 -- Instilling Hope: Putting Children First: Students often feel like a cog in the wheel of their own education. Rhonda Calloway, an educator at Hope Academy, demonstrates how creating authentic relationships with students through restorative practices circles is critical to academic achievement and youth empowerment.  (9 minutes, 41 seconds)

Episode #5 Leading with a Restorative Heart: A Servant Leader Gets Down to Business: Alice Thompson, a Detroit nonprofit leader, demonstrates how to be a servant leader during times of business transition. (8 minutes, 40 seconds)

WINNER – BEST WEB SERIES: CYRUS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

WINNER – SPECIAL MENTION IN DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING: VENICE SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL

2020 / Color / 16×9 / Closed Captioning / A film series by Cassidy Friedman

HOW TO ORDER:

Public Performance and Digital Site Licenses for the series are available through Stories Matter Media. To inquire or to place an order, write to info@storiesmattermedia.com or simply choose from the options above.