Upcoming Trainings
Courageous Conversations: Building Connection & Accountability
Friday, May 29, 2026 | 3:00-5:30pm (Virtual)
Difficult conversations are a critical part of being human—and are often avoided or mishandled. The stories we tell ourselves often unconsciously shape the outcomes of our conversations (and typically not in a good way). In this workshop, you’ll explore frameworks for approaching hard conversations with clarity, compassion, and courage. We’ll examine what gets in the way of dialogue, how to reduce defensiveness, and how to move from avoidance to connection. You’ll learn to uncover your assumptions, shift unhelpful narratives, and practice curiosity—so you can meet communication challenges and opportunities with openness, clarity, and connection.
Trainer: Elissa Berroll of Luminary Consulting Solutions
Elissa is a Harvard-educated facilitator, trainer, coach, organizational consultant, and internationally sought-after speaker — and we are so fortunate to have her as one of our volunteer mediators and Restorative Justice Facilitators.
Elissa has a rare gift for creating the conditions for honest dialogue, deep reflection, and bold experimentation, empowering individuals and teams to lead with greater confidence, integrity, and impact. With over 25 years of experience across industries and leadership levels, her expertise in organizational consulting and coaching is both broad and deeply rooted.
What makes Elissa truly special is the way she shows up: with warmth, humor, courage, and genuine compassion. She is wholeheartedly committed to human transformation — including her own.
Restorative Justice (RJ) Conference Facilitator Training
Restorative Justice (RJ) is a practice centered on repairing harm, fostering accountability, and strengthening relationships through inclusive dialogue. Restorative Conferences are a restorative practice that is used in response to harm or wrongdoing. In a conference, responsible and affected parties come together in a discussion about their experiences and how they were impacted so that repair can be directly connected to the needs created as a result of the wrongdoing. This training provides facilitators with the tools, structure, and confidence to guide conferences with care, keeping accountability and healing at the heart of the process.
At YCRC, we primarily facilitate youth cases in partnership with Yolo County Probation. Youth cited for crimes are diverted from the traditional justice system and given the opportunity to sit in dialogue with those directly or indirectly impacted by their actions. This approach allows harm to be addressed in a way that supports both accountability and restoration.
This training prepares participants with the skills to facilitate RJ conferences effectively. Following the training, we encourage participants to join us as volunteer co-facilitators alongside experienced practitioners, though this is not required. Whether you are seeking to support our work, expand your professional toolkit, or grow personally, we welcome you to take part in this training.
Join us for our in-person, 20 hour Restorative Justice Conference Facilitator Training.
When:
Friday, September 11 9:30am-4:30pm
Friday, September 18 8:30am-4:30pm
Friday, September 25 9:30am-3:30pm
Pricing is based on a pay what you can/sliding scale model, with a suggested range between $250 and $700 for the full training.
If you are attending as a part of your professional role, we ask that your organization contribute between $500-700 per person.
It is important to us that this training be accessible to those who want to participate, while also sustainable for us to offer as an organization. If the cost is prohibitive, you are welcome to register at a lower tier. We ask that if you are able, you pay at least $50 to cover the cost of materials. If you would like to register but want to pay an amount that isn’t listed as an option, please email ariel@yolocrc.org and we’ll help you get signed up!
Past Trainings
Community Mediator Training
This foundational 32-hour Community Mediator Training provides comprehensive instruction in the principles and practices of community mediation. Participants will examine the nature of conflict, including its causes and impacts, and explore the critical role mediators play in supporting constructive dialogue and resolution.
Core topics include active listening, effective communication, the mediator’s role and ethics, conducting pre-mediation meetings, and facilitating joint mediation sessions. Participants will learn how to support parties in understanding one another’s perspectives and working toward mutually acceptable agreements.
The training emphasizes experiential learning through a balance of lectures, facilitated discussions, and realistic role plays. This approach allows participants to build both skill and confidence, preparing them to begin practicing mediation in supervised or community-based settings.
Presented in partnership with Sacramento City College
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This training is open to current SCC students, prospective YCRC volunteers, and anyone else who seeks more conflict mediation skills. Ideal for individuals interested in conflict management, restorative practices, or community engagement, this course meets or exceeds the minimum training requirements outlined in the California Dispute Resolution Programs Act (DRPA).
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Enrollment in this course is done via Sacramento City College (SCC).
If you are new to SCC, you will need to create an account and submit a brief application. If you are already an SCC student, you can skip this step.
After applying, you will receive a student ID number and instructions for accessing the SCC student portal. This may take a few days, so apply as soon as you are able to.
Use your student ID and login credentials to access the student portal. This is where you will register for classes.
In the class registration system, search for COMM 336, Conflict Management: Mediation, taught by David Fabionar and Kara Hunter.
Add COMM 336 to your schedule and complete the registration process. Be sure to follow all prompts until registration is confirmed.
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The approximate cost for a resident of California to register for this course as a new student is $97. Please reach out to Sacramento City College, Davis Center with any questions about tuition or financial aid.
The direct line into the Davis center is: 530-747-5200
The email address is: daviscenter@scc.losrios.edu
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The wonderful staff at SCC Davis Center can help you with your registration. You can reach them with the contact information below.
The direct line into the Davis center is: 530-747-5200
Say It With Care: Using Nonviolent Communication in Everyday Life
Time: January 12, 2026, 4:30-6pm
Format: Hybrid (In-person & Zoom)
Location: 705 Main Street , Woodland, CA & on Zoom (click here)
In this interactive workshop, you’ll explore the simple, powerful tools of Non-Violent Communication to express yourself clearly, listen with more presence, and create more ease in everyday conversations. Through short activities and relatable examples, we’ll look at how needs, feelings, and compassionate curiosity can transform even small interactions. You’ll leave with a basic and grounded understanding of NVC and a few practical strategies you can begin using right away—in your relationships, your work, and your community.
Perfect for anyone seeking more easeful conversations, healthier boundaries, and deeper connection in daily life.
This workshop is free for our wonderful volunteers!
For the general public, the suggested donation is $10-25, but if cost is a barrier, you are welcome to register at no cost.
Build the skills to communicate with clarity, compassion, and confidence. In this interactive workshop, you will learn practical tools for expressing your needs without blame, listening in ways that foster trust, and navigating conflict with greater ease. Through guided activities, real-life scenarios, and supportive practice, participants discover how to stay grounded, connect authentically, and create more understanding in their relationships at work, at home, and in community.
Perfect for anyone seeking more easeful conversations, healthier boundaries, and deeper connection in daily life.
Restorative Justice (RJ) Conference Facilitator Training
Restorative Justice (RJ) is a practice centered on repairing harm, fostering accountability, and strengthening relationships through inclusive dialogue. Restorative Conferences are a restorative practice that is used in response to harm or wrongdoing. In a conference, responsible and affected parties come together in a discussion about their experiences and how they were impacted so that repair can be directly connected to the needs created as a result of the wrongdoing. This training provides facilitators with the tools, structure, and confidence to guide conferences with care, keeping accountability and healing at the heart of the process.
At YCRC, we primarily facilitate youth cases in partnership with Yolo County Probation. Youth cited for crimes are diverted from the traditional justice system and given the opportunity to sit in dialogue with those directly or indirectly impacted by their actions. This approach allows harm to be addressed in a way that supports both accountability and restoration.
This training prepares participants with the skills to facilitate RJ conferences effectively. Following the training, we encourage participants to join us as volunteer co-facilitators alongside experienced practitioners, though this is not required. Whether you are seeking to support our work, expand your professional toolkit, or grow personally, we welcome you to take part in this training.
If you have further questions, please register at the links below for an optional information session on
Thursday, October 9 4-5pm bit.ly/rjinfo1
or
Friday, October 17 10-11am bit.ly/rjinfo2
Join us for our in-person, 20 hour Restorative Justice Conference Facilitator Training.
When:
Friday, September 11 9:30am-4:30pm
Friday, September 18 8:30am-4:30pm
Friday, September 25 9:30am-3:30pm
Pricing is based on a pay what you can/sliding scale model, with a suggested range between $250 and $700 for the full training.
If you are attending as a part of your professional role, we ask that your organization contribute between $500-700 per person.
It is important to us that this training be accessible to those who want to participate, while also sustainable for us to offer as an organization. If the cost is prohibitive, you are welcome to register at a lower tier. We ask that if you are able, you pay at least $50 to cover the cost of materials. If you would like to register but want to pay an amount that isn’t listed as an option, please email ariel@yolocrc.org and we’ll help you get signed up!