Circle of Courage

The Circle of Courage, is a model of youth empowerment supported by contemporary research, the heritage of early youth work pioneers and Native philosophies of child care. The model is encompassed in four core values: belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity. The central theme of this model is that a set of shared values must exist in any community to create environments that ultimately benefit all.
   
The Children’s Program recently received a grant from the Tower Foundation to train all staff in the use of RAP (Response Abilities Pathways) which is the set of direct care tools associated with the Circle of Courage. In addition to training all staff, the grant is allowing us to train four Master trainers in the use of RAP.
   
The Circle of Courage encompasses much more than just a way of talking to kids. In order to be successful, implementation requires that we examine and improve the entire community. For our kids to be successful we have to ensure that all staff, sups and administrators also are having the four needs of Belonging, Mastery, Independence and Generosity fulfilled. Children’s program staff recently completed a survey about the staff culture and we are in the process of strategizing on how to make cultural improvements.
   
The first training of RAP will occur on Feb 22 and 23. Mark Freado, the president of Reclaiming Youth International, the company that trains on the Circle of Courage Model, is coming to Latham himself to conduct the first training. Thirty staff will be in attendance. On Feb 15, we will be hosting a visit from a representative from the Tower Foundation who wants to see our program in action. We are very grateful for their involvement and support of this very important program. 

Contributed by:
Tim Vaughan
Residential Director

“Opportunity is a bird that never perches.” 
~Claude McDonald

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