Representatives of the non-profit, community-based organization say Biddeford will be a perfect location for their ongoing growth and work in southern Maine
CONTRIBUTED STORY | Restorative Justice Project Maine
Restorative Justice Project Maine (RJP Maine) recently announced the opening of a new office location in Biddeford.
Restorative Justice Project Maine promotes a justice that is community-based, repairs harm and creates safety and wellbeing for all.
Located at 275 Main Street, the new Biddeford office will support youth restorative justice services in York and Cumberland counties.
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It has been one year since Restorative Justice Project Maine grew its Youth Harm Repair service area from four counties to 10, expanding into southern Maine.
According to a press release, in the organization’s first year serving York and Cumberland counties, Maine’s southern counties represented 30 percent of referrals for youth harm repair services.
In total, Restorative Justice Project Maine received 96 referrals for youth harm repair from July 2025 to June 2026, compared to 28 total referrals the year prior. Strong community engagement and system partnership in the Biddeford-Saco area motivated the move to Biddeford, according to a press release from the organization.
Restorative Justice Project Maine’s Youth Harm Repair program is supported by a contract with the Maine Department of Corrections, Division of Juvenile Services, and the support of donors and volunteers.
The Youth Harm Repair program offers a high-accountability, high-support alternative to conventional legal processes.
Restorative justice is a healing-centered approach to justice that focuses on repairing harm. Through facilitated dialogues, harm repair agreements, and mentorship, the program empowers youth to reflect, take accountability, and make amends.
According to research, restorative justice programs are associated with greater satisfaction for the party who experienced harm, better youth outcomes and reduced recidivism (Wilson et al., 2017; Sherman et al., 2015).
SURVEY RESULTS
Anonymous participant surveys administered by Restorative Justice Project Maine show similar, positive outcomes. As examples:
From July 2025 to June 2026:
94 percent of persons harmed agreed or strongly agreed “the people who were harmed felt their needs were recognized/honored at today’s meeting.”
93 percent of youth reported that, as a result of the harm repair process, “I better understand the harm that I caused to the people who were harmed, my family, and my community.”
81 percent of youth reported that, as a result of the harm repair process, “I am more confident about my future.”
92 percent of all participants agreed or strongly agreed with the statement “I would recommend the restorative justice process to others in a similar situation.”
“With offices in Belfast, Damariscotta and Lewiston, opening an office in Biddeford is an important step in our efforts to expand to 10 Maine counties,” says Executive Director Kathy Durgin-Leighton. “We are delighted to have a dedicated office in Biddeford so that we can better serve our youth and families.
We thank the McArthur Library for allowing us to use their space for the last six months. We look forward to using the space for harm repair circles and community building events.”
Amanda Brown – the Restorative Justice manager in York County –said the new Biddeford location made sense for her organization.
“Biddeford is a resilient mill town with beautiful rivers, beaches and hiking trails,” Brown said. “The people here are hardworking and community focused. Biddeford organizations have embraced RJP Maine and our work. We hope our presence can aid and contribute to what is already being done.”
Seeking volunteers; more information
Restorative Justice Project Maine is seeking volunteers in Biddeford and across Southern Maine. To learn more, visit: https://rjpmaine.org/get-involved/volunteer-roles/
To make a referral for youth harm repair, visit: https://rjpmaine.org/make-a-referral/
RJP Maine facilitates Youth Harm Repair in Androscoggin, Cumberland, Franklin, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Oxford, Sagadahoc, Waldo and York counties.
Additionally, RJP Maine supports returning citizens, in partnership with the Maine Coastal Regional Reentry Center and offers training on restorative practices to individuals, schools, and institutions.
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