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 always ask 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!" ●
2025 - Issue 5: PERSPECTIVE
10,993 Copies Shipped
129 Loop Champions in 27 states
21 staff-supported Loop Groups
5,051 subscribers in 37 states
1,261 individuals submitted (YTD)
307 individuals published (YTD)
Goals for 2025
150 Loop Champions in 30 states
45 staff-supported Loop Groups
7,000 subscribers in 45 states
1,200 individuals submitted
250 individuals published
Important Dates
DECEMBER 1, 2025 - SUBMISSION DEADLINE for The Loop: 2025, Issue 1 —> 2026, Issue 1
We are accepting submissions for our next issue which will address the character strength of LOVE. Feel free to scan/email submissions on behalf of your residents to kelly@shining-light.com
DECEMBER 10, 2025 - DEADLINE FOR SUBSCRIBER UPDATES
Please share names of new subscribers or information about subscribers who’ve been released or transferred by this date. If you would like to change the quantity of your bulk order, this is the deadline for that as well. Any changes submitted to Kelly after this date may not be applied until the following issue.
JANUARY 8, 2025 - SHIPPING DATE for The Loop: 2026, Issue 1
Keep an eye out for an email. And as always, please confirm when you receive your shipment.
Video Courses
& Other Engagements
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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.
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This 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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Every issue of The Loop contains several creative writing prompts, and while some are featured in future issues, other noteworthy entries are published in this series.
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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.
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This is a collection of creative writing pieces that resulted from an experimental mentorship program that paired incarcerated writers with professional writers on the outside who specialize in their particular area of interest.
RESOURCES
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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.
LOOP GROUPS
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LG Participant Survey
LG Peer Facilitator Survey
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Handout with the guidelines, spaces for drawings & justification, and full VIA character strength definitions:
Click below to schedule an intro discussion or set up a monthly check-in!

