Change of Season for RCP !
Friday Night Circle
RCP has stayed incredibly busy these last few months. Our Friday night circle has had about an average of 15 youth every week, learning new skills around their emotions, connecting with peers in a healthy way, and addressing issues around attendance in school as well as how to address situations in a non-violent way when conflict arises in the neighborhood.
Friday Night Circle- where RCP youth gather for food, connection and deep conversations, getting to the root of things.
Due to privacy of youth we sketch their likeness in our photos.
GONA
As a team we were able to attend GONA (Gathering of Native Americans) and learn the importance of learning from indigenous leaders the practices of healing through the medicine wheel and connection to culture. We have already begun implementing some of our learnings in our circles, both in Friday night circle, Wednesday Fem Circle and Creative circle on Monday nights. We are learning from indigenous brilliance and implementing cultural healing practices in this restorative justice work.
COAT DRIVE
Before the weather got cold, RCP supported our youth with getting warm winter jackets. We had a pop up for them to be able to pick up the perfect jacket for their style and got to connect with each other in the process. We had music, photobooth, try on areas, food and hot chocolate. Our youth are looking fitted now.
Huge Shout out to Chase! One of our Community Navigators for sharing the work of RCP.
How Restorative Community Pathways Works to Create a Future Without Youth Jails
By Lauryn Bray with The South Seattle Emerald
Change of Season
Our office was closed from December 18-January 1st for Winter Solstice, change of season. We took this time to rest, reflecting, and honoring the time of change.
a note from our Community Navigator Support Coordinator
“We all are alive because of the land we are allowed to walk on and the water we have been allowed to share and care for. When we honor and take care of the land, medicines and water – it takes care of us in return. Many Salish Peoples believe that when we stop honoring and caring for the land and water, it will no longer take care of us. So, we stop to reflect, honor, fast, sacrifice and pray for the seasons to come. Winter time (winter solstice) is a spiritually significant time of year to Salish Peoples because it is a time that many northern Indigenous Peoples honor the 4 seasons and pray for snow. Snow is what takes care of the land, medicines, food, and water for us year-round. Plateau Peoples (and many other Salish Tribes) prepare for Winter Ceremonies all-year. Many of these ceremonies are held or begin during Winter Solstice to honor and pray for the snow and seasons to come.”
- Stefanie Reuben-Marchand, Colville Tribe, Community Navigator Support Coordinator
