Education and fellowship
Education and fellowship
Circle of Life provides classes to help those in need
By MARVIN BAKER
EDITOR
What began as a court mandate to recognize the need for rehabilitation, has now expanded to include community members in need.
Circle of Life is considered a corrective thinking approach to rehabilitating those who may have been arrested for DUI or any number of other offenses, according to Verdell Smith, the Three Affiliated Tribes probation director.
He said the court doesn’t have to mandate an individual, or family, attend the Circle of Life educational classes. People who recognize they have an issue, may phone the office and be enrolled and on their way to a better life.
“We’re just not getting people to volunteer and we have to plant the seeds and make a difference,” said Tanya Fox of Cirlce of Life. “People could volunteer to join this program instead of getting jail time, but it’s now open to the community.”
Smith said Circle of Life personnel will focus on the individual’s need based on the social issue that is apparent. For instance, staff has helped people with substance abuse, anger management, family instability, developmental disabilities, family conflict, grief, conflict resolution, inadequate housing, unemployment, lacking education, communication skills, coping skills depression and abuse issues.
