The Chaplaincy Innovation Lab (CIL) is collaborating with the Fetzer Institute to support and build networks of spiritual care providers of color.
Between January and June 2021, CIL partnered with experienced facilitators who are chaplains of color (read more about them below) to offer free conversation circles for chaplains of color. The first groups were open to all and later we introduced affinity circles for chaplains with common identities including Black/African American, Queer and Asian American and Pacific Islander chaplains. Each group had 8-10 chaplains who met on Zoom two to four times with two co-leaders who are professional chaplains of color. During the first six months of 2021, we received over 200 registrations and 135 chaplains participated in 16 groups.
In 2022 we will also offer a series of professional development seminars for alums of the 2021 conversation circle project. More information, including the roster of speakers and schedule, is forthcoming.
If you are a spiritual care provider of color looking for support (individual or collective), please see our list of resources here. Although the circles are not intended as a substitute for professional mental healthcare, we want to provide resources to those who might benefit from mental health services at this time. Keep in mind, CIL does not promote or endorse any particular tools, techniques or methods.
If you want more information or would like to be involved with the Spiritual Care Networks contact Michael Skaggs at mskaggs[at]brandeis.edu.