Reflections from the first leg of the Book Tour: Building Communities Through Circle Keeping
- Ruth Jeannoel
- Sep 30
- 3 min read
Since May, I’ve had the incredible honor of being on tour with my new book, Restorative Justice Practices: Circle Keeping for Community Healing, sharing this offering with communities across the country. And I must say—I’m proud of myself! Connecting with other community members around the book really does feel amazing.
The Power of Circles in Action
The world is shifting. Policies shape our daily lives, but there’s something liberating about the energy of summer and the communities we’re building together. We are impacted by so much, yes—but we are also impacting others, uplifting their values, strengthening commitments, and inspiring courageous action.
Over these past months, I’ve facilitated circles for families dealing with different immigration statuses , for those who have caused harm and survivors seeking healing, for community building, and for conflict resolution. As you can imagine, a book tour for Circle Keeping isn’t just about reading—it’s about living the practice.
What Communities Are Teaching Me
These months have been enlightening. No matter the challenges, communities are still building, still coming together, still speaking truth to power—through story sharing, resource mobilizing, and repairing conflict.
The call remains clear: we still got us.
As I wrap up this first phase of the tour, I look forward to holding more space for practice and intergenerational connection. I want to ensure that our ancestors are proud and that we continue to advance their work.
Circle Keeping as Practice
Circle Keeping is about coming together in a way that honors every voice, creates space for authentic sharing, and builds the kind of connections that can transform both individuals and neighborhoods. Rooted in restorative justice, it centers healing over punishment.
Holding circles, workshops, and trainings keeps us in practice with each other. This is how we build the world we want to see.
An Invitation to Go Deeper
If you’ve purchased the book, I would love to hear your feedback. How are you putting it into practice? What’s been your deepest takeaway?
Join me for a workshop, request a training, or let’s connect one-on-one. I want to hear how you’re practicing—or want to be in deeper practice—with your community. We can connect via calendly.com/ruth8
Taking Action: Speaking Truth to Power
While on this tour, I’ve also been called to collective action. Recently, I joined nonprofits, medical professionals, and families in calling for the immediate shutdown of “Alligator Alcatraz”—a detention facility in the Florida Everglades where migrants are being held in inhumane conditions.
Standing outside this facility, I asked: “Alligator Alcatraz was designed to be a joke. Is this a joke? To mock real suffering, stir up fear, and turn human rights violations into campaign slogans?”
This is exactly why our circle keeping work matters. By creating spaces for authentic community connection and restorative justice, we’re building alternatives to systems that cage and dehumanize. We’re practicing the world we want to live in—one where every person’s dignity is honored.
Want to learn more about how Circle Keeping can support your community?
Message me or email: info@ruthjeannoel.com
Follow us on IG: @iamruthjeannoel
Visit: www.ruthjeannoel.com
See you at the next book tour stop!
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