A Night of Connection, Reflection, and Restorative Practice

Each July, YWCA Spokane’s Racial and Social Justice (RSJ) Learning Community comes together for an annual rooftop gathering, a special evening set aside for connection, conversation, and collective growth. This year’s event was no exception. With the sun setting over downtown Spokane and the rooftop patio buzzing with energy, our community came together not just to enjoy good food and company, but to deepen our shared commitment to racial and social justice.

This event wasn’t just a summer social, it was a space of intention and purpose. Throughout the evening, attendees engaged in meaningful conversations, built new relationships, and participated in activities designed to ground and inspire. It was a reminder of why community matters: because change doesn’t happen in isolation—it happens when people gather, learn from one another, and take steps forward together.

Exploring Restorative Justice with Guest Speakers

A highlight of the evening was a powerful conversation about restorative justice, led by our guest speakers Inga Laurent and Mark Hamlin with Spokane NAACP's Building Restorative Communities Initiative. Their insights offered a fresh lens into how communities can address harm through healing rather than punishment. They spoke about restorative justice in various settings—from schools to prisons to community spaces—and how these practices offer pathways for reconciliation, accountability, and transformation.

Particularly impactful was the discussion around domestic violence. Inga and Mark shared how, when thoughtfully implemented, restorative justice can provide an alternative to traditional systems of punishment, centering the voice and needs of the person harmed while fostering understanding and growth for the person who caused harm. Rather than perpetuating cycles of violence, restorative practices aim to break them—creating room for healing, deeper accountability, and stronger, more connected communities.

Their message resonated deeply with those present: real justice requires not just fairness, but care, context, and commitment to healing.

What is the RSJ Learning Community?

The RSJ Learning Community at YWCA Spokane is a growing collective of individuals passionate about advancing racial and social justice on personal, relational, and systemic levels. Meeting twice monthly—virtually and in person—this group explores six core topics each year through an intentional four-part cycle:

1. Introduction: Members receive curated articles and videos on a selected topic.
2. Discussion: A virtual gathering to explore the material together.
3. Guest Speaker: Experts or community leaders present deeper insight and personal experiences.
4. Integration & Application: Through healing practices and action planning, members reflect on what they’ve learned and how to bring it into their daily lives.

This structure fosters ongoing learning and growth while nurturing the well-being of participants. It also creates a rare and necessary space to examine how our internal beliefs and societal systems intersect, and how we can collectively shift toward justice.

Why This Work Matters

The RSJ Learning Community is more than a discussion group. It’s a space of transformation. A container where people can show up authentically, sit with discomfort, confront bias, and support each other through the long-term work of equity and liberation. At its core, this community believes in the power of awareness and action.

By regularly gathering with intention, we strengthen our capacity to challenge systemic injustice and co-create a Spokane where equity, dignity, and belonging are not just ideals, but lived realities.

Join the Movement

Are you passionate about justice? Do you want to connect with others committed to learning, unlearning, and taking action for a more just world? YWCA Spokane’s RSJ Learning Community is welcoming new members!

Whether you're new to racial and social justice or have been on this journey for years, there’s a place for you in this community. Fill out our interest form and take the first step toward collective change.

Together, we can build a stronger, more restorative, and more compassionate future—one gathering at a time.