Circle Training Day 3 & 4

In our second weekend session for circle training, we shifted the focus toward individual leadership and how they wanted to lead their circle, and what that would look like. Keeping in mind what type of games would happen, and what centerpieces would be part of the healing circle. Also, going over what type of questions would be asked during these sessions. Helping prepare each person to feel confident in guiding their own circle!

Healing circles thrive when we lead with trust, intention, and care - and this training was a step forward to continuing to build spaces with trust and healing.

Circle Training Day 1 & 2

During our first weekend session of Healing Circle Training, we focused on building trust and strengthening relationships within the group. The session emphasized connection, creativity, and intentional communication.

The group began with introductions and a creative name tag activity, allowing each participant to express themselves through color, symbols, and words that represented who they are. Throughout the session, they participated in a variety of interactive games and team-building activities designed to encourage laughter, collaboration, and comfort within the group. These activities helped break the ice and move forward to the check-in questions, allowing everyone to share how they were feeling upon arrival in the space.

After the group finished, with started opening up the circle into more vulnerable conversations to start training for what a circle looks like.

Community Circle | September

This community circle was the first session for our Fall 25 programming season! Each new member was able to create a meaningful name tag to represent their identity. Then, community members moved toward circle where they first got to know each other through a competitive game. After, each person shared their talking piece. This piece is inspired on their own cultural practices. The talking piece is then placed into the middle of the circle and used later to center everyone’s focus on the person currently sharing. Thank you to our Proviso neighbors who showed up this evening!

Circle Keepers Hangout

During our Circle Keepers Hangout, we started off by conversing over food and catching up with one another. As we started to make our way to gather around, we lightened the mood by playing some games, a way that we can build trust and our relationships with each other. After, we added new pieces to the circle and each of us went around explaining the meaning and what that piece meant to us. As we continued to go around we also disussed how we use this outside of TFD and in our daily life.

Circle Training Part 2

For our Circle Training Part 2, we continued our discussion about Restorative Justice and what it looks like to us. Understanding and finding ways to tend to conflict and our relationships. This is important because it is a way to find an understanding on both sides, a way both can heal. We engaged in an activity with sticky notes by writing down times we have felt hurt, but also considering times when we ourselves caused hurt.