CHAMPIONS
Resource Dashboard
Welcome to the Champions Dashboard!
As a Champion of The Loop, our team at Shining Light is so grateful for you and the work you so faithfully do for your residents! We hope this is a helpful place for information and resources as The Loop continues to grow in your facility and spread throughout the country. Below you’ll find information about upcoming meetings & events, as well as links to handouts, one-pagers, and guides. If there’s something else you’d like us to make available, please don’t hesitate to ask. We’re in this together!
– Kelly Beltran, Program Director / Editor-in-Chief
– Matthew Hippen, Program Specialist
We’re always asking our readers, “What Went Right?”
But what about you???
"We are adding a Loop Group to our medium facility!" ●
"Our Loop Group has grown a lot the past month!" ●
"I've got a great team around me." ●
"Becoming an official Institutional Organization so we can shine more light!" ●
"We are adding a Loop Group to our medium facility!" ● "Our Loop Group has grown a lot the past month!" ● "I've got a great team around me." ● "Becoming an official Institutional Organization so we can shine more light!" ●
Cover art by Caleb Simpson - SCI Somerset (PA)
CLICK HERE TO VIEW (PDF)
2026 - Issue 4: CURIOSITY
13,658 Copies Shipped!!!
Themes/Character Strengths for 2026
PREVIOUS: Issue 1- Love; Issue 2- Self-Regulation; Issue 3- Humor; Issue 4- Curiosity
NEXT: Issue 5 - Gratitude
UPCOMING: 2027, Issue 1 - Perseverance
Important Dates
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026 - SUBMISSION DEADLINE for The Loop: 2026, Issue 4 —> 2026, Issue 5
We are accepting submissions for our next issue which will address the character strength of GRATITUDE. Feel free to scan/email submissions on behalf of your residents to kelly@shining-light.com
OCTOBER 5, 2026 - DEADLINE FOR ORDER CHANGES (new subscribers, change in bulk)
Any changes submitted after this date may not be applied until the following issue.
OCTOBER 28, 2026 - SHIPPING begins for The Loop: 2026, Issue 5
Keep an eye out for an email. And as always, please confirm when you receive your shipment.
RESOURCES for The Loop
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If you’d like to learn more about Edovo, please explore their knowledge base and tutorial videos. And as always, we’d be happy to help with what we’ve learned as well!
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For more information about identifying, exploring, or applying Character Strengths, we encourage you to visit viacharacter.org
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The Phoenix Group - Virtual Post Release Group
Video Courses
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A four-part video series that explores character strengths.
Video One- Introduction to the VIA Character Strengths.
Video Two- Exploring over, under, & optimal use of strengths.
Video Three - Strength spotting & the SEA model.
Video Four - The development of strengths.
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This series expands on the Learn Your Strengths Course by focusing on two specific character strengths (gratitude & self-regulation) and some additional tools and skills that can be used to draw out the best in ourselves and others.
Video One- SMART Goals
Video Two- Self-Regulation & WOOP
Video Three - Active/Constructive Response Styles
Video Four- Gratitude
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This series unpacks the basics of the art of spoken word in a format that invites deep self-reflection, diligent practice, and the power of sharing your own story.
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This series walks you through the basics of writing a play in a way that invites imagination, improved writing skills, and deeper relational insight.
Our new written course “The Collaborative Playwriting Experience” is also available for download: Facilitator Guide and Participant Workbook
Peer Encouragement Videos
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Item descriptionThis one-of-a-kind feature film represents the work of 13 incarcerated writers from all over the US and was produced by a team of film professionals in New York City.
Influence: A Film in Verse(cannot be shared publicly)
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A collection of peer encouragement videos written by incarcerated participants of SL and produced by professional artists on the outside, ranging from Broadway actors to recording artists.
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A collection of peer encouragement videos written by incarcerated participants of SL and produced by professional artists on the outside, ranging from Broadway actors to recording artists.
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This special Christmas production displays a “pandemic” collaboration with incarcerated women at SCI Muncy in Pennsylvania, first released in December 2020.
LOOP GROUPS
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2 versions - one general, one for introducing a new cycle
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The Collaborative Playwriting Experience
Click below to schedule an intro discussion or set up a monthly check-in!