How is this possible?

Ab and Nancy Nicholas are the people who make possible the work of the Samaritan Family Wellness Foundation, which is the foundation that funds the creation and distribution of all of the Wellness Compass and Living Compass resources. It is their generosity that allows us to make everything we do available to you at little or no cost.

What training if offered to become a Wellness Circle Facilitator?

Attending a Community Wellness Advocate (CWA) training is advised to be best prepared to facilitate any of the three types of wellness circles; adult, parent, or teen. However, it is not required. We offer thorough facilitator guides and online tutorials, allowing people with experience coaching individuals in groups to use the materials without further training.

What is the difference between the Teen Wellness Circle Program & The Teen Compass Faith Wellness Notebook?

The Teen Wellness Circle Program is written as a six-week facilitated group concentrating on one area of wellness and empowering people to make incremental changes. The Wellness Circle program is not overtly Christian, so it can be used with a diverse group of people. However, if a group is gathering within a faith community, it can be personalized by adding prayers and scriptures from that tradition. It is highly recommended, but not required, that the person facilitating this group attend a training.

The Teen Compass Faith and Wellness Notebook is designed to be used in existing groups, camps, or classroom settings; places where teens are already gathering or meeting. It is intended to serve an in-depth look at each of the eight areas of wellness and help young people see how they are interconnected. Using this resource, teens begin to look at their own lives and begin, many for the first time, the process of self-reflection. Group discussion is encouraged, but sharing is not required. This resource is intended for Christian teens, however, it has been used with youth of other faiths, as their leaders open with prayers and use texts from their tradition in the group discussions.

How can the topical wellness materials be used?

These classes, based on individual topics, can be used in a congregation in adult education settings, in a retreat format, and can be the skeleton for an expanded series on any of the topics. They can also be used to reach out to your surrounding community. You are welcome (and encouraged) to add your own wisdom, along with the wisdom of others in your community, to enrich the content of these topical wellness classes.  

Can I alter the resources to better fit the needs and time constraints of my group?

Yes! You know your group’s needs, comfort level, and background. You can certainly adjust the resources to better fit the needs of your program.

Is there anyone I can speak to to ask questions and brainstorm with about my ideas for using the Living Compass materials?

Someone who can give me some direction?

Yes. Our Program Director, Carolyn Karl (carolyn@livingcompass.org), knows our resources well and can help you imagine how you might match our resources to your needs.