By Dr. Charlene Berquist, Director, and Heather Blades, Associate Director
In September the Center for Dispute Resolution offered a Circles for Girls Facilitator Training for Missouri State students. Women with an interest in supporting youth while building their communication, leadership, and facilitation skills were encouraged to attend. Twenty-four women from a variety of academic programs registered for the event.
About This Program
Circles for Girls is an 6-8 week structured educational group for girls and young women, offered by the CDR for youth in area middle and high schools. It brings together a group of 6-12 girls with trained college-aged facilitators to explore topics relating to social, emotional, and physical well-being. Groups are conducted within area middle and high schools during the school day.
The CDR designed the Circles for Girls program to focus on the development of effective conflict management and communication skills and to help girls realize their strengths, withstand social pressures, and maintain healthy relationships. In each session, facilitators introduce the theme for the week. This is followed by an activity designed to help girls further explore the topic. Each session also includes guided discussions as well as journaling. The structure of Circles for Girls allows girls to receive information and explore topics in a meaningful way.
Circles for Girls are offered in area public schools each fall and spring. Since starting the Circles for Girls program in 2010 the CDR has trained hundreds of Missouri State students as facilitators and offered the program to over 700 girls in nearly every middle school and many high schools in Springfield, as well as in other nearby districts.
For More Information on Facilitating Circles for Girls
The Circles for Girls program is offered at area middle and high schools in the fall and spring, and the program is supported by volunteer facilitators. Missouri State students—for more information on how you can be trained to volunteer as a Circles for Girls facilitator please call 417-836-8831 or email CDR@MissouriState.edu. You can learn more about this high-impact community program on the CDR’s website.