Circle Up – Amala Foundation

One of Amala Foundation’s flagship programs is Circle Up, which is an all-encompassing 9-month program designed to facilitate culturally relevant social-emotional learning and mindfulness practices throughout the school year. The program employs diverse trained facilitators who guide students, parents, administrators, and educators in weekly sessions in schools over a nine-month period. Through accessible mindfulness, sharing circles and engaging restorative practices, Circle Up builds connections and community in schools, develops resilience and healthy coping skills, and helps youth find their leadership voice. As a whole, Circle Up aims to achieve several objectives, including addressing systemic health inequities by enhancing well-being, increasing empathy & sense of belonging, improving classroom and home environments, and for educators, enhancing job satisfaction. Since 2016, over 1,200 participants have engaged in Circle Up, with 82% of participants reporting an increased sense of belonging and 79% reporting an increased ability to handle stressful situations.

In addition to benefiting students, teachers and parents can also benefit from the program’s social-emotional learning practices and mindfulness techniques. By incorporating these practices into their daily routines, teachers and parents can reduce stress and improve their well-being, making them better equipped to handle the demands of their roles as educators and caretakers. Social-emotional learning emphasizes empathy development, emotional regulation, and interpersonal communication skills, which can improve relationships and lead to more positive outcomes between teachers, parents, and their children or students. Since 2016, over 1,200 participants have engaged in Circle Up, with 82% of participants reporting an increased sense of belonging and 79% reporting an increased ability to handle stressful situations.