{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Leading with Belonging: Restorative Practices in New York City Parks","description":"From personal and communal grief to creating a workplace that works for everybody. In this episode of Restorative Works!, host Claire de Mezerville L\u00f3pez welcomes Assistant Commissioner for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, Dr. Iyana Titus, to explore how restorative practices can transform workplace culture and strengthen communities in the largest municipal park system in the nation. Dr. Titus shares the deeply personal story that led her to restorative practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. While grieving the loss of her father and supporting employees through unprecedented challenges, she experienced her first restorative circle. That moment helped her process grief, reconnect with others, and discover the power of authentic dialogue. Listen to discover how restorative circles became an essential tool for supporting employees across the Parks Department, from Parks Enforcement Patrol Officers responding to overdose emergencies to supervisors navigating the pressures of seasonal operations. Dr. Titus explains how circles created opportunities for staff to share personal experiences, process difficult emotions, and build stronger relationships across every level of the organization. As interest grew, the department expanded its efforts by training a cohort of circle keepers, embedding restorative practices into leadership development, team retreats, and employee support initiatives. In her role, Dr. Titus is responsible for creating and implementing the agency\u2019s diversity and inclusion strategies, policies, and practices, conducting EEO investigations, and ensuring that the agency complies with all federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws. As an assistant commissioner, she has also been instrumental in facilitating difficult conversations on race relations, religion, international issues, mental health, and a host of other topics.  She has created and implemented her agency\u2019s first alternative dispute resolution program, which includes mediating employment-related disputes. Recently, she wrote an article entitled \u201cUsing Restorative Practices to Create Restorative Park Systems,\u201d which was published in the Parks & Recreation Magazine of the National Recreation and Parks Association.  ","author_name":"Restorative Works!","author_url":"https:\/\/sites.libsyn.com\/464628","html":"