Connection First Inc.

Creating stronger communities takes all of us.

Whether you're volunteering at a conference, helping spread awareness about restorative justice, referring individuals to our services, or connecting with us at community events, there are many ways to support the work of Connection First.

Every conversation, referral, and partnership helps create opportunities for accountability, healing, and growth throughout Tallahassee and Leon County.

Interested in getting involved? We'd love to connect and explore how you can be part of this important work.

This Father’s Day, we’re recognizing the fathers, mentors, caregivers, and father figures who continue to make a lasting impact in the lives of those around them.

The support, guidance, patience, and presence you provide matter more than words can fully express.

Strong communities are built through strong relationships — and today we celebrate the people who help create those foundations every day.

Happy Father’s Day 💙

Today we recognize and honor Juneteenth — a day that marks freedom, resilience, and the ongoing pursuit of equity and justice.

We remain committed to creating spaces rooted in dignity, understanding, accountability, and community healing.

We’re excited to once again support and participate in the UPHS Annual Conference as an exhibitor and sponsor.

This conference continues to bring together organizations and professionals committed to strengthening health, wellness, and community support.

We’re grateful for opportunities to connect, collaborate, and continue important conversations around restorative practices and community care.

We continue to love being members of UPHS and we are so appreciative of all the support they provide to non-profits like us, in our community.

There are many misconceptions about restorative justice.
One of the biggest? That it avoids accountability.

In reality, restorative justice creates opportunities for individuals to take meaningful responsibility, understand impact, and actively participate in repairing harm.

Education and conversation are key to strengthening understanding around this work.

We are deeply grateful for the thoughtful words shared by Unity Eastside Church regarding their experience working with Connection First. We facilitated a Restorative Dialogue for some of their board members.

One reflection that especially stood out:
“Where hurt could harden, they created room for healing.”

Through restorative dialogue, our goal is always to create spaces where people can engage honestly, strengthen understanding, and move toward meaningful repair and growth together.

We’re thankful for the opportunity to support organizations and communities through difficult conversations with care, accountability, and compassion.

We're excited to see an organization that is near and dear to our hearts, Community Connections, highlighted in this feature.

Programs like Community Connections create opportunities for young people to build leadership skills, strengthen communication, and support one another through mentorship and restorative practices.

We’re also incredibly thankful to the City of Tallahassee for supporting and funding restorative justice programming over the past two and a half years, as well as initiatives like Community Connections that continue to create meaningful impact throughout our community.

🎥 Watch the full feature here: https://youtu.be/kZ9jPwE0nXc?si=FcyD5lId-Dx-CioD

We're excited to welcome Haylie Carver as a Peer Mentor for the Community Connections Program. 💛

When asked what she’s most looking forward to, Haylie shared:
“Building meaningful connections is deeply fulfilling to me. I also value the opportunity to support others the way that I was supported in this program as a teen.”

We’re grateful to have mentors like Haylie who are passionate about creating supportive spaces for young people throughout our community. Learn more about our Peer Mentor Initiative on our website here: https://www.connectionfirst.org/initiatives-and-involvement.

This morning, we presented on our Restorative Justice Program to the CHSP Citizens Review Committee.

The presentation was part of the application process for CHSP funding under the Gun Violence Intervention team. At Connection First, we see firsthand how accountability and relationship-building heals communities.

We are committed to expanding these vital services to reach more youth and adults. Learn more about our impact at www.connectionfirst.org.

One of the most common questions we receive is: “What actually happens during a restorative justice process?”

Every situation is different, but the goal remains the same — creating space for meaningful dialogue, accountability, and healing.

These conversations are guided carefully to ensure everyone involved has the opportunity to be heard and supported throughout the process.