The Institute for Transformative Mentoring (ITM) is a dynamic team of  professionals providing personal and professional training to credible messengers (systems-impacted and/or formerly incarcerated people). These credible messengers are working in the social service fields throughout New York City. The work of credible messengers are recognized for using lived experience and community connections to reduce community violence, improve community wellness, conflict mediation and mentor youth.

In our work, we have collaborated with over 80 social service agencies  across the NYC region, including foster care sites, alternative schools, and grassroots organizations. We have trained over 400 credible messengers, embedding trust-building and restorative principles into their work with community and coworkers.

 
ITM has collaborated with notable organizations including Good Shepherd Services, Fortune Society, the Osborne Association, the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, and CUNY ISLG. The development of our programs, training and workshops uses restorative justice principles, trauma-informed approaches, and youth development. It centers accountability, healing, and shared responsibility as tools for transformational work. ITM offers several programs and customized training, with the latest launched in 2024 the Mentor’s Action Plan (MAP). In 2024, ITM launched the Mentor's Action Plan (MAP) an initiative that deepens the restorative justice knowledge of mentors to integrate Indigenous methodologies in community, including circle work, restorative and trust-building practices. To-date, MAP onboarded 19 leaders and their organizations to facilitate credible community circles throughout the five boroughs of NYC.

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An ITM Program

Following the City of New York’s announcement of its plan to close Rikers Island, the City worked with the City Council to solicit ideas for investments in community safety. In October 2019, this process resulted in a number of Points of Agreement (POA).1 which guided the City to fund several initiatives to enhance community safety and re-envision justice. One such initiative was to increase funding for community-based restorative justice programming for programs that are both affiliated with the criminal legal system and those that operate independently in the community.

The Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ) and the Restorative Justice Initiative (RJI) convened an Advisory Committee who recommended focusing investments on small and grassroots organizations that have historically faced barriers in access to public funding. City University of New York - Institute of State and Local Governance (also known as CUNY ISLG), in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ) has funded MAP through the Community-Based Restorative Justice Grant Program in New York City.

Launched in 2024 the Mentor’s Action Plan became the first initiative focused on the (1) lack of funding provided to black and brown grassroots movements, (2) the diversified need for community wellness and  trust-building, (3) innovative approaches to restorative justice work, and (4) community safety. The Mentor’s Action Plan is designed to implement Credible Community Circles throughout NYC that deepens trust-building and community care. Through this initiative ITM has worked to restore community leadership, community wellness, and community safety. The MAP curriculum increases the credible messenger knowledge in circle work, restorative justice, partnership development, facilitation, mentorship, data collection, and the business acumen necessary for grassroots and community-led work.