Restoring Lives through Relationships, Restorative Justice, and the Voice of Youth

Format

Individual Presentation

First Presenter's Institution

Keep On Giving Foundation

First Presenter’s Email Address

Andyb@keep-on-giving.org

First Presenter's Brief Biography

For 33 years, Andy Broughton worked at the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (SCDJJ), beginning as a Juvenile Correctional Officer and working his way up to Executive Management. Since his retirement, Mr. Broughton has created THE MESSENGERS, an organization of formerly incarcerated youth that provides services nationwide on the power of positive relationships and restorative justice. Mr. Broughton started a nonprofit organization called the Keep On Giving Foundation to provide support and assistance to individuals leaving correctional facilities. Mr. Broughton is an author and alumnus of the University of South Carolina obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.

Second Presenter's Institution

Keep On Giving Foundation

Second Presenter’s Email Address

j.allenplus3@yahoo.com

Second Presenter's Brief Biography

John is a motivational speaker that spent his youth in a correctional facility where he joined a public speaking team that helped him to take control of his life and become a productive member of society and a loving father. John now travels the country telling his story of hope to light a spark in youth and adults that they can make a difference.

Third Presenter's Institution

Keep On Giving Foundation

Third Presenter’s Email Address

Admin@keep-on-giving.org

Third Presenter's Brief Biography

Gordan Brown had a turbulent childhood filled with multiple placements and poor decisions. Gordan’s path led him to being incarcerated in a youth facility in Columbia, SC at the age of fifteen. While there, Gordan joined a public speaking group that altered his trajectory. Gordan has served on the SC Governor’s Juvenile Justice Advisory Council and is now a member of The Messengers and uses this platform to tell his story of change nationwide. Gordan inspires audiences to maintain hope that just by changing your attitude you can change your future. Gordan resides in Charleston County and is a loving father of four.

Fourth Presenter's Institution

Keep On Giving Foundation

Fourth Presenter’s Email Address

Admin@keep-on-giving.org

Fourth Presenter's Brief Biography

Isaiah spent a part of his youth in a correctional facility. While there, he joined a public speaking team and discovered that he had a gift of speaking in front of audiences. Isaiah has continued to use that gift to share his story so that others can learn from his lived experiences. Out of his accomplishments, Isaiah is most proud of being a father to his twins.

Submitter

I am submitting this proposal as one of the presenter(s)

Location

Scarbrough 2

Strand #1

Hands: Safety & Violence Prevention

Strand #2

Heart: Social & Emotional Skills

Relevance

The workshop highlights how trauma-informed, relationship-centered approaches create safer environments by:

  • De-escalating conflict through relational trust and accountability.
  • Teaching emotional regulation, empathy, and decision-making—core social-emotional learning (SEL) competencies.
  • Offering alternatives to punitive discipline, which reduces recidivism and school expulsions.

By showcasing lived experience, participants will see the real-world results of investing in youth not with punishment, but with presence and purpose.

Brief Program Description

This dynamic workshop features The Messengers, a group of formerly incarcerated youth who have transformed their lives and now serve as powerful voices of hope, healing, and change. Drawing on personal stories, The Messengers share how caring adult relationships, restorative justice practices, and social-emotional development played pivotal roles in helping them avoid cycles of violence and build lives of purpose.

Through firsthand narratives, practical frameworks, and interactive dialogue, participants will explore how authentic connection and restorative justice approaches contribute directly to safety, violence prevention, and emotional well-being—especially for high-risk youth. The session concludes with a rich Q&A discussion to foster application and reflection.

Summary

This dynamic workshop features The Messengers, a group of formerly incarcerated youth who have transformed their lives and now serve as powerful voices of hope, healing, and change. Drawing on personal stories, The Messengers share how caring adult relationships, restorative justice practices, and social-emotional development played pivotal roles in helping them avoid cycles of violence and build lives of purpose.

Through firsthand narratives, practical frameworks, and interactive dialogue, participants will explore how authentic connection and restorative justice approaches contribute directly to safety, violence prevention, and emotional well-being—especially for high-risk youth. The session concludes with a rich Q&A discussion to foster application and reflection.

Evidence

  • Zehr, H. (2002). The Little Book of Restorative Justice. Explains how restorative approaches lead to reduced violence and increased community cohesion.
  • Broughton, A. (2024) Still Giving. Details how to build relationships with difficult youth that will change their lives.
  • Lopez-Humphreys, M & Teater, B (2018) Peer mentoring justice-involved youth: a training model to promote secondary desistance and restorative justice among mentors.

Learning Objective 1

describe how restorative justice and adult-youth relationships contribute to violence prevention and emotional healing.

Learning Objective 2

identify workable strategies for supporting high-risk youth through mentoring and social-emotional skill-building

Learning Objective 3

apply a storytelling or restorative practice within their organization or setting to build trust and connection with youth.

Keyword Descriptors

Youth, peer pressure, restorative justice, change, peer mentor, lived experience

Presentation Year

2026

Start Date

3-3-2026 8:30 AM

End Date

3-3-2026 9:45 AM

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Mar 3rd, 8:30 AM Mar 3rd, 9:45 AM

Restoring Lives through Relationships, Restorative Justice, and the Voice of Youth

Scarbrough 2

This dynamic workshop features The Messengers, a group of formerly incarcerated youth who have transformed their lives and now serve as powerful voices of hope, healing, and change. Drawing on personal stories, The Messengers share how caring adult relationships, restorative justice practices, and social-emotional development played pivotal roles in helping them avoid cycles of violence and build lives of purpose.

Through firsthand narratives, practical frameworks, and interactive dialogue, participants will explore how authentic connection and restorative justice approaches contribute directly to safety, violence prevention, and emotional well-being—especially for high-risk youth. The session concludes with a rich Q&A discussion to foster application and reflection.