Our Roots
NewRoot strives to nurture the places we live, learn and grow. Our vision is a future cultivated from the roots of equity and radical love, and our mission is to improve the experiences of young people by increasing the capacity of adults to grow restorative and social-emotional practices in learning environments.
This video showcases NewRoot’s mission in action, highlighting how restorative practices and social-emotional learning transform schools. Our partners share the impact of our services—stories of growth, healing, and stronger connections. Together with educators, partners, and supporters, we can co-create more connected, resilient communities where everyone thrives.
NewRoot Over The Years
NewRoot, originally named Umoja Student Development Corp., began in 1998 as a pilot program at one high school in Chicago's West Side.
Our founder, Lila Leff, believed that all meaningful change (for individuals and systems) begins with relationships. Lila simply focused on building caring and meaningful relationships with students trusting that this would impact their behavioral and academic success. She was right!
Interested in aiding and building the capacity of adults to provide meaningful and relevant learning opportunities for students outside of the traditional learning format, NewRoot began developing and leading advisory curriculum facilitated by school staff across Chicago.
Seminar classes and Peace Rooms supported by NewRoot staff emerged across Chicago, stepping up to meet the rising need to respond to the social-emotional and restorative justice demands in schools.
NewRoot celebrates its 25th anniversary!
NewRoot has supported and engaged 50+ schools annually, through District-Wide Restorative Practice Training and affiliative programming. While focusing on whole-school customized support including Strategic Planning, Racial Justice Professional Development + Team Coaching, and Culturally Sustaining Curriculum.
