Community Partner Conversations: Tomas Ramos

Bronx River Community Center Program Director Tomas Ramos accepts recognition award from Jennifer Petersen

Tomas Ramos, Program Director for the Bronx River Community Center, has been one of the original three partners of Bronx Community Justice. Tomas has been a hands on collaborator since the first moment of hearing the idea of using restorative practices to solve the problems within the community.  He has offered space within the center to conduct restorative circles, encouraged staff members to participate in training sessions provided by Bronx Community Justice and has served as a volunteer for the program as well. Nearly one dozen participants have had their cases solved by sitting in circle and 15 residents of the community have been trained in restorative practices within this community center. Bronx Community Justice has now become a stable in the Bronx River community and it owed, in large part, to Tomas' leadership and passion for this effort. 

I had a chance to sit down with Tomas for a quick discussion about this partnership and where he would like to see it progress towards: 

So, the first question that I have for you is I want you to be able to give me a brief description of the programs and services provided here at Bronx River Community Center.

Great. So, Bronx River Community Center has an after-school program for elementary/middle school students from 2:30 to 6PM. Within the after-school programming, we offer assistance with homework, we do STEM literacy, financial literacy, and civics as well. During the evening, we provide additional programming to the community at large. We have a volley ball program, basketball program, Zumba classes, self-defense classes, and we have a recording studio that is open to the public. We also hold advisory board meetings, parent committee meetings and youth council meetings as well.

So, you and I met nearly a year ago and I pitched restorative practices to you and the benefits of bringing a program centered on those practices to Bronx River Community Center. What were your initial reactions after that first meeting we had about what restorative practices can do to the community?

Well when you first approached me with the program itself, I was extremely excited about it because I didn’t know there any organizations doing this kind of work in The Bronx, and our borough needs this the most. We have the largest incarceration rates for people of color and I believe that most people getting arrested should not be arrested. There should be some sort of alternative. So, when you told me that this is a pilot program for young people to avoid the criminal court system, I was just in awe and was extremely excited about it.

What exactly made you agree to bring this program to Bronx River Community Center? Was there a need in the community or did you see this as a positive for the center?

There is definite a need for it. And of course, there is always a positive when you can offer another program that helps the community and allows folks to get involved but yes, the need was there. Young people get arrested in this community every single day for minor violations that they shouldn’t have to go to criminal court for. It’s a proven fact that once someone is arrested they are more likely than not to be arrested again. So, if you can bypass going through the court system and provide a clean slate then maybe that young person can avoid being held in the system. That is why I love the project and continue to love it.

You’ve had the opportunity to be trained by our staff in restorative justice and you’ve had the chance to sit in a restorative circle with two of our clients. Can you describe what those experiences were like for you?

It was a very positive experience. It opened a dialogue for the participants in the circle. I feel like opening up and telling your own story can sometimes catch those participants and engage them a little bit more. In the circle that I was in, I remember a young person telling me how they got arrested and how they like basketball. I related to that because I used to play basketball and I used to get in trouble all the time. By me telling my story I was able to build a connection with him because he spoke to me afterwards and saw me as a positive role model for him in the future.

Do you have a long-term vision for where you see restorative justice going here in Bronx River and in the broader community?

Yes, I do. So, I know that you guys are starting with low level criminal offenses. Hopefully we can get to the point where higher level criminal offenses are referred to this program and instead of traditional court hearings, we can continue to have restorative circles here at the center. I’d also like to see something provide sessions that can take place over a longer period. I think that one intervention Is not enough, especially for individuals who are dealing with more serious offenses such as assault or robbery. But yes, I do have a vision for where this work can go and I am excited to be a part of it.