Learning in Afterschool Blog features guest blogger, Johanna Masis, a Program Director at Oakland Leaf blog on Sharing Circles: Cyphers

At Oakland Leaf, all of our programs incorporate the practice of Cyphers. Cyphers are used as a space to do intentional community building in the form of having a discussion on any topic.  The Cypher is meant to serve as an emotionally safe place for each participant to say their piece without interruption or judgment. The benefits of this practice include increased familiarity with people’s stories, empathy building, idea sharing, harm repair, healing for the individual who is hurting, and compassion building.