Get Real: talking circles for youth
After years of working with young people, one of the most common refrains we hear is the desire for “realness” - to get real. Young people are hungry to connect with one another in an authentic way.
At Get Real: Talking Circles for Youth, the young people decide what we talk about. A couple adults help keep the conversation flowing, but mostly they get to hear their peers explain what they really think about difficult questions. And…they get to be listened to. Deeply heard. It isn’t required to say anything and no one is pressured. But they’ll be amazed how cool it is when everyone in the circle speaks their mind and listens.
Our trained council leaders. From left: Terry Mitchell, Elizabeth Shapiro LCSW, Rob Miller, Debra Braun, and Geena Glaser
Cascadia Quest offers a platform that fosters authentic relating for adolescents. GET REAL: Talking Circles For Youth is based on one of the most effective and essential elements of our youth programming - The Practice of Council.
The Practice of Council
Talking circles, or councils, are an ancient way of creating a safe space for genuine communication and deep listening. The practice of council substantially increases social and emotional intelligence, while cultivating group cohesion. Council provides an opportunity to explore the vulnerable topics on young peoples' minds. It allows for the creative expression of each person's gifts, and the integration of stories from the margins of adolescent experience.
Our Council Leaders
Cascadia Quest has several trained council facilitators with a variety of backgrounds accustomed to working with youth. Additionally, they have all mentored in our youth initiation programs.
We are currently offering Get Real Teen Council Circles by request.