Emotional Literacy and Relating Circle
December 6 @ 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Join the Emotional Literacy and Relating Circle
Who It Is For: This circle is specifically designed for formerly incarcerated individuals, their families, partners, and chosen support systems.
Our Shared Vision: We acknowledge that returning to society after incarceration is not merely a logistical or bureaucratic hurdle; it is a profound psychological and emotional transition. This circle serves as a specialized peer support group designed to humanize this transition. Together, we will co-create a brave, non-judgmental space dedicated to open dialogue surrounding emotional intelligence, trauma healing, intrapersonal investigation, and the intentional navigation of interpersonal relationships.
What to Expect: This space acts as a communal laboratory to unpack the complexities of relationships after incarceration and to heal from carceral trauma. Through the restorative power of shared vulnerability, participants will engage in:
● Trauma-Informed Restorative Practice: Sitting in a structured, equitable circle to share experiences, build supportive networks, and repair relationships.
● Emotional Intelligence (EI/EQ) Development: Learning to track internal “emotional weather patterns,” identifying somatic responses to stress, and deconstructing institutionalized survival mechanisms.
● Dialectical Interpersonal Dialogue: Practicing a communication framework that seeks truth and synthesis through the integration of seemingly opposing viewpoints.
● Core Communicative Skills: Intentionally cultivating active listening, clearly speaking subjective truths using “I” statements, and respecting individual processes.
Our Operational Boundaries: To maintain safety and operational clarity, this space is built on absolute confidentiality. It serves as a community-based anchor and peer-led support group; it does not replace individualized clinical counseling or psychiatric intervention. Furthermore, the circle will not take sides in disagreements or assess objective facts within participants’ relationships.
When: Meetings will occur twice a month, starting Sunday, October 11, 2026, from 12noon-2pm and continuing every other Sunday for six months.
