Marcie Gilbert, the Executive Director of Calibrate, sits down with David for an engaging conversation about this unique program largely facilitated by young people who were exposed to this unique Social Emotional Learning program as youth .
Calibrate is a not for profit (501 c3) organization centered in Los Angeles, CA that delivers it's program, CONNECTIONS, to groups throughout Los Angeles. It's mission is to transform and elevate the lives of tomorrow’s leaders from under-resourced communities, particularly the descendants of American slavery, by providing spaces where they experience their best selves, feel valued for the potential they bring to the world, and prepare to reinvest their time and talents back into their communities.
Having grown out of educational groups and institutions, Much of its initial work has been with young people in schools and community groups. Calibrate hopes to expand its program to groups of all sorts and throughout the country.
CONNECTIONS, Calibrate's primary program, is a data-driven, social-emotional learning (SEL) program. It is a structured process designed to create a protective space, so that participants can listen and speak from their hearts. For Indigenous, Black, and People of Color (IBPOC), who are in survival mode day-to-day, Connections provides a safe place to cultivate intra-personal growth and interpersonal bonds. Connections normalizes the sharing of personal stories and conveys to participants that all voices are important and that each individual is appreciated for their authentic self. Connections is not psychotherapy, but it has a therapeutic effect. Participants are guided by prompts that elicit imagination, reflection, and critical thinking. During Connections sessions, participants are exposed to healthy coping mechanisms and practice aspects of productive/constructive listening and communication. All of these qualities are essential for healing, advocacy, sharing values, and establishing narrative.
