Ripples: A Healing Circle

Welcome to Ripples: A Healing Circle!

Come join us for a day of healing and connection at our upcoming event. This gathering is all about creating a safe space for individuals to come together and support each other on their healing journey.

Our sessions begin with an awareness of the ancestral tribes and elders who came before us, whose practices have provided invaluable insights to those directly or indirectly impacted by the justice system. Healing circles offer a space to speak or remain silent, laugh and cry, confront our fears, and express deep and joyful emotions through community healing. The gift of this circle is the realization that you are not alone and that your voice matters.

Date: Wednesdays 08/28, 09/11, 09/25, and 10/09

Time: 6PM to 7:30PM

Location: A.B.O. Comix Oakland

2250 Telegraph Ave, Oakland CA.

During our time together, we will engage in healing practices, share stories, and offer support to one another. Whether you are looking for a listening ear or simply want to connect with like-minded individuals, this event is for you.

Anthony Michael Jefferson (AJ) - is a dedicated restorative justice facilitator and a proud “Returned Citizen” who has transformed his 23-year experience within the Pr*son industrial complex into a powerful tool for change. AJ has successfully led various groups, including NA/AA, anger management, spiritual awareness, and healing through forgiveness. He has also collaborated with esteemed local restorative justice organizations such as Restore Oakland, Full Picture Justice, Impact Justice, and Treasure Island.

AJ is a passionate advocate for those marginalized by societal ignorance and is committed to using his skills to foster community and healing with A.B.O Comix. His journey and dedication make him an inspiring leader in the field of restorative justice and emotional healing.

Kelly Maher - is a long-time Bay Area educator and community member. She has dedicated her studies to growth mindset principles, interconnectedness, family, and community engagement. She is passionate about fostering and creating safe, inclusive, and supportive spaces for individuals to grow together. Kelly has participated in and led a variety of circles in the Bay Area. She was introduced to the social justice world by her partner AJ; a returned citizen. Kelly has not only attended circles but has trained in community building with an emphasis on reconciliation. Along with AJ; she has been circle-keeping alongside members with experience in recovery, incarceration, trauma, healing, and lgbtq+ community members. With impactful experiences at Restore Oakland, Full Picture Justice, and Treasure Island Community Circles, Kelly is setting intentions for circle-keeping at ABO to create transformative, inclusive and authentic experiences for all participants.

Join us for a restorative justice healing event where we explore the profound connection between joy and laughter. In this session, we will delve into the ways we connect to our inner joy and how laughter manifests in our lives. Through guided discussions, interactive activities, and shared experiences, we will create a safe and supportive space to reflect on the importance of joy and laughter in our healing journeys.

We will begin by acknowledging the ancestral wisdom and practices that have paved the way for our understanding of community healing. Participants will have the opportunity to share their personal stories, listen to others, and engage in exercises that foster a deeper connection to joy. Whether through storytelling, creative expression, or simply being present, we will celebrate the healing power of laughter and its ability to bring us closer to our true selves.

This event is open to all who seek to embrace joy and laughter as essential components of their restorative justice journey. Together, we will discover that joy is not only a personal experience but a collective one, and that laughter can be a powerful tool for building resilience and fostering community.

Join us for an enriching restorative justice healing event where we explore the profound connection between our inner child and the community around us. In this session, we will delve into the ways we can reconnect with our inner child and celebrate our authentic selves. Through guided discussions, interactive activities, and shared experiences, we will create a safe and supportive space to reflect on the importance of self-celebration and community connection in our healing journeys.

We will begin by acknowledging the ancestral wisdom and practices that have paved the way for our understanding of community healing. Participants will have the opportunity to share their personal stories, listen to others, and engage in exercises that foster a deeper connection to their inner child. Whether through storytelling, creative expression, or simply being present, we will celebrate the joy of being ourselves and the strength we gain from our community.

This event is open to all who seek to embrace their inner child and celebrate their unique selves as essential components of their restorative justice journey. Together, we will discover that self-celebration is not only a personal experience but a collective one, and that connecting with our inner child can be a powerful tool for building resilience and fostering community.

Join us for a transformative restorative justice healing event where we explore the gifts and lessons of our spirit animals. In this session, we will delve into the ways we can connect with Mother Earth and the harvest, drawing valuable lessons for humans in community with the natural world. Through guided discussions, interactive activities, and shared experiences, we will create a safe and supportive space to reflect on the wisdom of our spirit animals and the importance of living in harmony with nature.

We will begin by acknowledging the ancestral wisdom and practices that have paved the way for our understanding of community healing. Participants will have the opportunity to share their personal stories, listen to others, and engage in exercises that foster a deeper connection to their spirit animals and the natural world. Whether through storytelling, creative expression, or simply being present, we will celebrate the gifts and lessons that our spirit animals offer us.

This event is open to all who seek to embrace the wisdom of their spirit animals and connect with Mother Earth as essential components of their restorative justice journey. Together, we will discover that the natural world holds profound lessons for us and that living in harmony with nature can be a powerful tool for building resilience and fostering community.

Join us for a creative and introspective restorative justice healing event where we explore the metaphorical masks we wear in our daily lives. In this session, we will delve into the ways we present ourselves to the world and the impact these masks have on our authentic selves. Through guided discussions, interactive art projects, and shared experiences, we will create a safe and supportive space to reflect on the significance of these masks and the freedom that comes from removing them.

We will begin by acknowledging the ancestral wisdom and practices that have paved the way for our understanding of community healing. Participants will have the opportunity to share their personal stories, listen to others, and engage in creative exercises that encourage self-expression and vulnerability. Whether through painting, crafting, or other forms of artistic expression, we will explore the masks we wear and the truths they conceal.

This event is open to all who seek to understand and dismantle the masks they wear as part of their restorative justice journey. Together, we will discover that true healing comes from embracing our authentic selves and that creativity can be a powerful tool for building resilience and fostering community.

​

is a collective of creators and activists who work to amplify the voices of LGBTQ prisoners through art. By working closely with Pr*son abolitionist and queer advocacy organizations, we aim to keep queer prisoners connected to outside community and help them in the fight toward liberation. The profits we generate go back to incarcerated artists, especially those with little to no resources. Using the DIY ideology of "punk-zine" culture, A.B.O. was formed with the philosophy of mutual support, community and friendship. ​
Our collective is working towards compassionate accountability without relying on the state or its sycophants. A.B.O. believes our interpersonal and societal issues can be solved without locking people in cages. Our mission is to combat the culture that treats humans as disposable and disproportionately criminalizes the most marginalized amongst us. Through artistic activism, we hope to proliferate the idea that a better world means redefining our concepts of justice.

Host or Publisher A.B.O. Comix