Celebrating Enchanted Circle’s Impact and Commitment to the Future
As we look back on the incredible work we’ve done over the past year, we are filled with gratitude and pride. Despite recent challenges, our commitment to making a positive impact through our programs has remained unwavering. We are excited to share some highlights from the past year and celebrate the powerful impact Enchanted Circle has had on our community.
This past year, Enchanted Circle designed seven programs across Holyoke and Chicopee, impacting 421 students and educators. Through various hands-on activities, Enchanted Circle created impactful learning opportunities that strengthened the community.
Dual Language Arts Integrated Aligned Curriculum | October 2023 – June 2024
Marcella R. Kelly Elementary School, Holyoke Public Schools
Teaching Artists: Gabriela Micchia, Yaurelí Colón
Participants: 140 youth in Kindergarten and 1st grade, 14 teachers
Our dual-language artist-in-residency program co-designed by gabriela and Yaurelí focused on creating culturally responsive, trauma-informed practices that support social-emotional and cognitive learning. Engaging students and staff in visual arts, theater games, and mindful movement, Enchanted Circle fostered a vibrant learning environment that celebrated creativity and community. Because this program spanned the full academic year, Enchanted Circle forged deeper connections and lasting impact.
LAS STEM | November 2023 – May 2024
Holyoke Boys & Girls Club
Teaching Artist: Gabriela Micchia
Participants: 50 youth, Kindergarten through 5th Grade
Our LAS STEM residency involved creative hands-on projects, culturally responsive learning, and mindful movement practices. The program supported language and literacy exploration, self-expression, and social-emotional learning through interactive and engaging activities.
Culturally Responsive Education in the Classroom | October – November 2023
Frontier Regional School and Union 38 School Districts in Deerfield, Sunderland, Whately, and Conway, MA
Teaching Artists: Amina Jordan-Mendez, Anastasia Morton
Participants: 65 Elementary, Middle, and High School teachers
This workshop series explored best practices for creating culturally responsive classrooms. Activities centered on co-creating inclusive spaces, expanding responsive behavioral support, and developing strategies to prevent and repair cultural harm, thereby nurturing a supportive and dynamic learning environment.
Youth Built Strategies | October-December 2023
Enchanted Circle at Open Square, Holyoke MA
Teaching Artists: Amina Jordan-Mendez, Strong Oak Lefebvre, Julissa Rodriguez, Temar France, Olivia McNeil
Participants: 12 high school-aged youth
Focused on youth empowerment, Youth Built Strategies enabled participants to craft critical interventions to punitive models. By exploring emotional regulation and trauma response strategies, participants were able to envision progressive ways to seek justice, power, and healing.
Intergenerational Family Program | February – April 2024
River Mills Assisted Living Facility, Chicopee MA
Teaching Artist: Yaurelí Colón
Participants: 15 youth, 15 elders, 14 parents
Through 12 arts programming sessions with CFCE and Headstart, preschool children and elders from River Mills Assisted Living Facility engaged in creative activities, fostering intergenerational bonds and community connection.
Creative Youth Arts Lab | April – May 2024
Enchanted Circle at Open Square, Holyoke MA
Teaching Artists: Julissa Rodríguez, Ebbie Russell
Participants: 12 high school-aged youth
Creative Youth Arts Lab provided a safe space for LGBTQIA+ youth to express themselves creatively and build connections within their community. Co-designed with youth, the program included activities such as visual mapping, collage, poetry, and music, promoting activism and resistance through the arts.
STEAM Artist Residency | March – June 2024
Sullivan School, Holyoke Public Schools
Teaching Artists: gabriela micchia, Yaurelí Colón
Participants: 84 6th grade students
This hands-on arts integrated residency taught students about environmental advocacy and the concept of One Water. Through activities and workshops, students learned about Day Brook and the impact of human activities on this vital resource. This residency was created in collaboration with the City of Holyoke’s Department of Conservation and Sustainability MVP Program.