Laura Thro (alum of the Master of Professional Studies program) will lead a Restorative Justice initiative on the Iron Range beginning in Fall 2025. Funded by the Minnesota Department of Restorative Practices, the program is designed to serve families, individuals impacted by the justice system, and the broader community of Northern St. Louis County.
The grant, which Thro spearheaded, brings the Northern Saint Louis County Restorative Practice Advisory Committee (NSLC-RPAC) together to serve the community through new programs and collaboration.
According to Thro, part of the imperative that drives the grant was a Community Needs assessment: “Research on youth in NSLC, showing that half of the youth believed “not a single adult cared about them.” This alarming sentiment is coupled with higher-than-average rates of tobacco, alcohol, and substance abuse. In response, Thro will create and facilitate Community and Restorative Parenting Circles to support families across the Iron Range.
The program also responds to the needs of those impacted by the criminal justice system. According to Thro, “In SLC, an astonishing 84% of the incarcerated population are of African heritage, despite the fact that only 2% of the population are of that heritage. The needs of those who have caused harm and those who have been harmed have gone unmet in NSLC.” In response, Thro will develop and lead Community Circles focused on restorative justice practices.
Thro is excited about this initiative, which integrates her graduate work in the Master of Professional Studies program, her experience in UMD’s Center for Restorative Justice and Peacemaking, and her passionate and professional work towards a better world.
Information about the Grant Writing course offered by the Department of English, Linguistics & Writing Studies which teaches students to secure grants to make great work possible.