Safe & Sound Implements ‘Talking Circles’ for at-risk youth
Safe & Sound staff have been conducting “circles” for years. A Public Ally was sought to focus specifically on the uses and implementation of circles. Currently, talking Circles are being coordinated by our Public Ally Julie Knorowski and implemented at several Safe Places, including Kozy Park and Historic Southwest Neighborhoods. These involve a youth led discussion centered on crime issues of importance to teens and facilitated by Community Partners and the Safe Place coordinators. They have brought new insight and learning to the relationships with Safe Place youth and incorporate other community members, such as law-enforcement, community leaders or ex-gang members as they progress and the groups develop. Julie is working towards a model that will involve returning juvenile offenders, creating an opportunity for youth and other community stakeholders to share and interact while building understanding.
The pictures are from a two day circle facilitators training for Safe Place youth coordinators and other agencies that work with our young people. It was organized by Safe & Sound and TABS (Truancy Abatement and Burlary Supression) and hosted by Neighborhod House, a Safe & Sound funded Safe Place.
