Belonging Circles for Resilience

Program & Host Organization

Belonging Circles for Resilience is a program of Cascadia Stack, a not-for-profit organization based in the United States. The initiative creates structured, supportive spaces where participants can reflect on climate-related emotions, build personal resilience skills, and explore community-based approaches to adaptation.

Location & Scope

The initiative operates across the Pacific Northwest region, primarily within the Cascadia bioregion, through hybrid, online, and in-person sessions. Activities take place in rented community spaces, churches, art venues, and parks.

Who It Serves

The program serves a broad general public, including young adults, adults, and seniors. It is designed for people experiencing climate anxiety, activists, community members seeking personal grounding, and groups interested in resilience-building and placemaking. Emerging partnerships aim to involve seniors, youth, faith groups, and local organizations.

Climate & Mental Health Focus

The initiative addresses mental health impacts of climate disruption, including anxiety, grief, loss of agency, and guilt. It responds to regional stressors such as wildfire smoke, extreme weather, housing insecurity, and inequities tied to systemic oppression. The Circles encourage emotional expression, self-awareness, and community care as pathways to resilience.

Activities & Format

Belonging Circles are held several times each month, following a rotating schedule. Sessions last about one hour and use one of three formats: classic climate cafés, topical explorations, or experiential sessions involving art, movement, poetry, or shared readings. Circles are peer-led, designed for self-reflection, and do not include crosstalk. Additional programming includes workshops, presentations, facilitator training, and community engagement at local events.

Inclusion & Accessibility

The initiative acknowledges systemic inequities and aims to grow relationships with marginalized communities. Planned efforts include engagement with ASL users, Spanish-speaking communities, and Indigenous-focused organizations. Current capacity limits full implementation.

Outcomes & Evidence

The program seeks to help participants feel better equipped to navigate climate emotions, support emotional regulation, and strengthen personal resilience. Medium-term outcomes include increased participation across Circles and involvement in community resilience efforts. Long-term goals include widespread neighborhood-level Circles led by trained facilitators. Evaluation is based on post-session surveys, informal feedback, and community response. The approach draws on frameworks such as the Good Grief Network model and related climate psychology literature.

Guiding Principles

The Circles emphasize emotional diversity, social connection, nature interaction, emotional resilience, climate justice, trauma-informed practice, community-led adaptation, and collective responsibility. These principles guide facilitation approaches, circle design, and the program’s broader mission.

Resources & Sustainability

The initiative is primarily founder-funded and volunteer-supported. It has received limited grant funding and relies on donated spaces, in-kind contributions, and small operational funds. Continued sustainability will require additional financial support.

Team & Partners

Activities are facilitated by a rotating group of trained volunteers. The founder provides leadership, mentorship, and curriculum development. Community partnerships are emerging with activist groups, faith organizations, and senior communities.

Challenges & Context

Challenges include low attendance, limited capacity for outreach, funding constraints, and limited access to free meeting spaces. Broader concerns such as political uncertainty, climate-driven emergencies, and resource limitations influence participation and program growth.