By Hannah Rivers
Nov. 8, 2016
With colder weather setting in and the chaos of the election in full swing, it is especially important to find time to de-stress. In our crazy world, life can be overwhelming and, at times, seemingly impossible to bear. But that is why we have relationships with others; we need people to listen to our problems and offer support so that we’re not alone on this journey.
The only problem is that sometimes there is no one there to listen. When this occurs, other resources must be utilized. One of these is the Community Support Circle. The free event is held every month by the Common Root Mutual Aid Center., with the next Support Circle scheduled for November 13, from 6 to 8 p.m.
According to Lacey Losh — community organizer at Common Root — the purpose of the Community Support Circle is to provide peer-to-peer support so people can discuss issues that may be troubling them in a safe and supportive environment.
The Support Circle has been going on every month for over three years. It is a well-established event that is known for offering a safe and respectful space for people to share their personal problems without fear of being judged.
Sessions tend to last for two hours, with a short break after the first hour. It begins with a review of the Support Circle Ground Rules, which urge those participating to act as if they are in a private conversation — where nothing that is discussed within the Circle is repeated outside of it.
To ease any anxiety or hesitancy, starting with a question or icebreaker is encouraged. Then the Circle is opened up for people to share what’s been troubling them. Regardless of whether someone is present at the Support Circle or not, it is important to be respectful of everyone in order to maintain a compassionate and supportive environment.
At the end of each Community Support Circle, everyone often places their hands in the center of the circle to demonstrate the positive encouragement that they have engendered.
As is true of all events held at the Common Root Mutual Aid Center, everyone is welcomed at the Community Support Circle.
“We encourage folks from different cultures and backgrounds to share their experiences,” said Losh.
All kinds of people are urged to attend the Support Circle: young people, old people, people of all genders and races, people in the LQBTQ community and everyone in between. There is only one limitation that would prevent certain individuals from attending the event: space. The building that the Common Root Mutual Aid Center rents for the Community Support Circle is not wheelchair accessible. The room is located up a flight of stairs and does not have any way for those in a wheelchair to access it. But Common Root is aiming to change that.
“It is our goal to one day be able to afford a space that is one hundred percent accessible,” said Losh.
While the Community Support Circle has always been hosted at Common Root, there has been one significant change, in the person or people that facilitate the event. Throughout the years there have been many different individuals that have hosted the Circle — each contributing to it in their own way and enabling its growth.
According to Losh, the supportive environment that is both characteristic of and insisted on at the Community Support Circle has only been infringed upon once. In the past, there was someone who reportedly broke the rules of conduct by discussing a topic from the Support Circle. Thus far this person has not returned to the Circle, which prevented any further action.
As the name suggests, the Community Support Circle is meant to offer support to those in need. For Losh, it is a “monthly dose of self-care and emotional cleansing.” When she leaves the Circle, her daily life is enhanced by the knowledge that those who attend the event genuinely care about her well-being.
The supportive words and feelings that pervade the Support Circle are a reminder that no one is alone. We all encounter obstacles in our lives, but it is important to remember that having a strong network of people that care makes dealing with the challenges a whole lot easier.
Find out more about Common Root Mutual Aid Society on their website.
