{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"The Garden of Joy: Empowering Students Through Culinary Skills and Restorative Practices","description":"Food has the power to nourish more than our bodies; it can also strengthen relationships, build community, and create opportunities for healing. In this episode of Restorative Works, host Claire de Mezerville L\u00f3pez speaks with Ali Rizvi, LSW, volunteer executive director of Garden of Joy Culinary Academy and school social worker with Cincinnati Public Schools, about how restorative practices, shared meals, and life skills education are transforming the lives of young people in Cincinnati. Ali shares how his introduction to restorative practices through IIRP shaped both his work in schools and the creation of Garden of Joy, a free culinary, gardening, and youth development program rooted in nonviolence, food justice, and restorative practices. Rather than excluding students who struggle with behavior, the program creates opportunities for accountability, relationship building, and growth through daily circles, cooking together, and conversation. Ali reflects on the community response that led to Garden of Joy's creation following youth gun violence in Cincinnati and describes how volunteers, families, educators, and community members have united around a shared commitment to providing safe, supportive spaces for young people. Ali\u2019s work is rooted in restorative practices, nonviolence, youth development, food justice, and creating spaces where young people feel safe, valued, and connected. Ali believes food can be a powerful doorway into relationship, accountability, healing, and joy. In addition to his work at Garden of Joy, Ali serves students and families as a social worker at Hays-Porter School. He is passionate about building community-centered programs that help young people learn nonviolence and essential life skills. Tune in for a powerful reminder that building stronger communities often begins with simple acts of connection. Whether through a family dinner, a classroom circle, or a shared conversation, Ali demonstrates how food, relationships, and restorative practices can create lasting change. ","author_name":"Restorative Works!","author_url":"https:\/\/sites.libsyn.com\/464628","html":"