Circles of Support

We’re invested in the growth of CYC students, families, and staff – that includes both their mental and physical health. This year, CYC has doubled down on our wellbeing initiatives, expanding the holistic practices that we offer to everyone. Our staff has had a blast participating in activities that benefit our bodies, spirits, and minds. We’ve hosted a walking challenge, virtual yoga sessions, and weekly book clubs just to name a few! CYC believes that when our staff is feeling well in personal and professional spaces, they can show up as their best selves for CYC children, families, and communities. 

This year, CYC has taken big steps forward in our wellness journey. We’re working to strengthen our knowledge on imperative topics like trauma-informed care and restorative justice practices. Thanks to incredible community partners, our staff has received comprehensive training on practices that assist with things like emotional regulation, coherent communication, and active listening. Our professional development and training benefit our staff, and also directly improves the work we do with the CYC community. 

As staff continue to learn more about the many aspects of well-being, we’ve been able to grow what wellness programs look like in programming. Children have taken part in activities that range from yoga and stretching, to journaling, to attending a Wellness Summit organized by their own Teen Council. On top of these amazing events, staff also ensures that some portion of well-being is used every day at our Centers. One daily practice we use is Circle Time. Circle Time is designed to create an opportunity to be open with peers and colleagues, sparking growth as we support one another. This daily chance to connect quickly became a favorite among staff during their training, and now CYC kids love it too! 

CYC has ingrained Circle Time into our agency’s practices to ensure that we are listening first to the needs of our team and children. For CYC staff, Circle Time is a space to share ideas, victories, and areas in which they may need more support. Modeling and facilitating this practice with our staff first helps ensure that they feel confident modeling and utilizing it with children and families. For CYC children, Circle Time is a much-needed transition from the school day or their home lives to settle in for programming. When kids arrive at their Center, they know that they will receive full support from their peers and their mentors. The success of this initiative stems from the lack of judgement in Circle Time spaces. Children see this activity as a time where everyone is important and heard. This feeling carries into their other activities during programming and spaces outside of CYC, too. 

We are eager to share the impact of our well-being programs and are grateful to our community partners and supporters who have helped us launch these initiatives. Stay tuned for all of the wellness that CYC has planned for 2024!