Circles® is a community initiative coordinated by Goodwill Industries, Ontario Great Lakes that supports individuals experiencing poverty and accessing Ontario Works to focus on life stabilization and set a pathway toward economic sustainability, while advocating for systemic change.

Each month, “Circles” meet across the London area to build relationships, share experiences, learn from each other and other allies and explore new tools and ideas that support their journey out of poverty. During these meetings we focus on providing a speaker, or workshop that will increase hard and soft skills for each participant to be able to move forward.

Goodwill raises funds for warm, nutritious meals provided at Circles meetings and to provide basic needs or supports for people experiencing poverty that have reached out for support.

Building stability with supports and connections. Meet Leanne…

Leanne started attending Circles after completing the Getting Ahead program. She was quite shy and withdrawn and was going through a challenging time with her son. It had been almost twenty years since her last steady employment as she had been raising her son who has some significant disabilities and behavioral challenges.

She began attending weekly dinners with the Circles community and connected with other Allies who shared their own experiences, ideas, and resources. With their support and her Circles Coach, Leanne was able to find positive solutions to address the challenges with her son and move forward in a healthy way. She also used the support and resources to focus on employment and is now working in a stable position, making a living wage.

Circles creates real, meaningful connections to a supportive community including others who have been through challenges too.