Inclusive Circle

Over ten years ago, I was lucky enough to get to know a child that changed my life forever. Francisco showed me how to see the world through a different light. I was also fortunate to get to know his loving parents and saw at first-hand how challenging and time consuming it was for them just to do their daily routines. I learned that often there was no time in their day to organize the extra activities that spice up and brighten our lives and I also noticed that they did not have a space to connect with other parents in a similar situation. When Francisco would come to my house to spend time with my family, I found myself looking for activities to do with him but there was not much around, so I created a monthly group that he and other families from our community could enjoy.

And with the help of many community members since 2016, our Inclusive Circle (formerly Club Inclusive) has been offering a safe space for families with children and teens of all abilities. We provide monthly meetings for neurodiverse individuals while we offer a space for families to build community and share resources. During the meetings we offer music and art classes with instructors who are trained to work with children and neurodiverse individuals.

Everyone, together with their parent or caregiver is welcome in our circle. We have volunteers to guide the kids through the planned activities, but parents and caregivers can participate if that is what they prefer. There is also no age limit. We have activities for everyone to enjoy, and even though we encourage everyone to participate as much as they can, nobody is required to do anything that they don’t choose to do. Some parents of teens choose to walk around downtown Issaquah or use the time to run an errand.

Our 90 minute meetings start with a music class. We sing and make music together with the instruction of Keisha Edwards from Music Works Northwest. This serves as the ice breaker for the day and a chance for everyone to get to know one another. Music therapy addresses multiple therapeutic goals simultaneously by utilizing playful and interactive experiences such as instrument-playing, group improvisation, songwriting, and singing songs.

Then we put our instruments away, and we participate in an art class with Angela Bizzari, founder of Epic Art. Angela brings a different, creative project every month. It is often seasonally inspired, and our children and teens play with unique materials and tools and practice artful techniques, while they enjoy the creative process. Angela offers a happy place where self-expression and innovation are always encouraged!

To end the meeting, we share or take a snack to go. Snacks are often Krispy Kreme donuts! Parents will be asked in the sign in form if they want us to offer one to their children. All the activities are FREE, organized by The Circle and made possible thanks to the generosity of our volunteers, the Arts Commission of Issaquah and The Garage, Teen Café.

To register, please fill out this simple form. If you have any questions, please contact me, and help me to share this great resource with your community. Come and meet Francisco and all the other amazing children and teens that every month bring so much joy to our group while we all enjoy a fun, safe, and loving environment where everyone is welcome and celebrated for whom they are.

Alicia Spinner

inclusivecirlce@thecircle-wa.org

425 295 4024

https://www.facebook.com/Inclusivecircle

SPRING MEETINGS:

Thursdays March 9, April 6, May 11 and June 8

From 7:00pm to 8:30pm at The Garage, a Teen Café:

235 First Avenue South 98027, Issaquah

Music class by Music Works Northwest and Art workshop by Epic Art!

Please register HERE!

Giving Circle

Thanks to the work that we do as Community Navigators, we get to meet many families that are starting a new life in our communities or going through a difficult time. In many cases, we noticed that they are in need of items that could improve their quality of life or make them feel more included and welcome. We are also contacted by other local organizations that don't have a way to get certain items. For years, we have figured out how to get these types of things to the families that need them. We have asked on different community Facebook pages or looked for private donations. We are excited to announce that now The Circle is launching a new program that will help cover this need!

The Giving Circle is a program where neighbors help neighbors with clothing, furniture, household items, etc. If you need help or know of a family who needs support, please send us an email at contact@thecircle-wa.org.

We have a Sign up page that we will post regularly on Facebook. If you would like to donate any of the items listed, you will only need to select them from the list. We will contact you to organize the drop-off or pick-up of the items. If you would like to get a donation receipt to be used to claim a tax deduction, you can send an email with your information to contact@thecircle-wa.org. If you prefer to make a monetary donation, you could send your contribution and let us know you are donating to the Giving Circle: https://www.thecircle-wa.org/donate. We get gift cards with these funds to give to families in need.

Thank you for supporting The Giving Circle and helping create a community that takes care of each other!

Learn English in your Community

The Circle is very excited to be able to offer free English as a Second Language Classes. We have an amazing instructor with many years of experience. Jodi Novotny worked at Renton Technical College for more than 13 years. In her last position as a Dean of College & Career Pathways, she led a team of 50 staff & faculty to provide high-quality, compassionate, and culturally responsive education programming to about 3000 students annually. Jodi has worked extensively with immigrant and refugee communities and with underserved US-born populations in King County.

Jodi is part of The Circle's board of directors and is a member of our Issaquah community.

The Winter session of the classes will run from January 3 to April 5, 2023, and registration is already full. But if you would like to participate in the Spring 2023 session, sign up for the informative meeting here!