Connection First

At Connection First, we offer Restorative Justice (RJ) services for adults in Florida’s Second Judicial Circuit (with a priority on Leon County). RJ is a voluntary, facilitated process that brings together those who have caused harm and those impacted — along with community voices when appropriate — to foster accountability, healing, and meaningful repair. 

We accept referrals from community members, legal professionals, and system partners, for cases spanning diversion, plea agreements, post-conviction, or closed matters — as long as the responsible party was 18+ at the time of harm and is willing to take accountability. 

Beyond our adult RJ work, we support the Community Connections program, a teen restorative diversion effort teaching empathic communication and conflict resolution skills. Selected graduates of Community Connections are invited to return as peer mentors (with stipends) to guide new cohorts through the program. 

In addition, we engage volunteers in roles such as Community Representatives and Surrogate Impacted Parties. In cases where the directly harmed individual cannot or will not participate, these trained volunteers help anchor the restorative process — representing community impact or lived experience and contributing to healing conversations.

All our services — RJ, Community Connections support, volunteer roles — are offered free of charge to participants. Our RJ work is currently grant-funded through the City of Tallahassee, enabling us to serve more people and expand capacity. 

Your donation helps us:

• Accept more RJ cases
• Provide stipends to peer mentors
• Train and support community volunteers in their roles
• Sustain and grow our mission of healing through human connection

Thank you for considering supporting our mission!