Samara Eltahir (she/her) joined the Legal Rights Center as a Restorative Facilitator and Youth Advocate in 2021. In her current role as the Restorative Justice Program Director, she oversees LRC’s school-based restorative services and partnerships in the Twin Cities area surrounding education, advocacy, and restorative practices.

Earning her degree in Youth Studies from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Samara’s passions lie in engaging with young people in ways that are understanding, compassionate, and just. Samara has worked with young people in a variety of school, afterschool, and non-profit settings, always knowing relationships to be at the root of her youth work. Samara believes in the inherent wisdom of young people and sees restorative practices as a means to actively build community and further collective power.