Banyan Youth Empowerment Circle

Since ancient times cultures from around the world have used a community process, often known as a rite of passage, to guide and support youth on their transition to adulthood. This process taps into the natural instinct youth have to test the waters of adulthood.  In our culture there is often a void in meaningful rites of passage that are supported by the larger community.  Instead, the rite of passage process can take the form of substance use, sexual exploration, and other high risk behaviors that are often not supported by the larger community.  

The intention of the Banyan Youth Empowerment Circle is to provide meaningful opportunities for youth to express themselves in healthy ways that are supported and validated by their family and the larger community.  

Talking Circle 
A weekly group for teens to connect, share, and support one another on their life journey.  The talking circle is rooted in the Native American tradition of using .  in which the community is tau facilitator learned this approach from his own experience