PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Circle of Friends
- A STEP Home initiative AGENCY: Mennonite Central Committee (Ontario)
PROGRAM: Circle of Friends
Background:
Circle of Friends is a program under the umbrella of STEP Home. Circle of Friends was
developed in response to a need in our community of increased numbers of women from YWCA
K-W Mary’s Place returning to the shelter, typically 3 or more times. As well it was identified
that there were some women who stayed in the shelter for longer periods of time due to
challenges and barriers with securing and maintaining housing. With the support of its Board of
Directors, MCC Ontario partnered with Mary’s Place in 2000 to create Circle of Friends to
support some of our community’s most vulnerable members, women and children affected by
poverty and homelessness.
The project was based on MCC Ontario’s Circles of Support and Accountability (COSA) model,
which supports high need, high risk men who are returning to the community after having been
incarnated for sexually offending. The Circle model (of staff, core members, and volunteers) is
used to create accountability to not reoffend, as well as a sense of community for its core
members. COSA recently celebrated its 15th anniversary and since inception has supported
over 150 men transition back into Southern Ontario communities. This specific model has been
replicated across Canada, in the United States, England, and Australia.
YWCA K-W is a partner agency in developing and delivering the program. Circle of Friends
operates out of the YWCA K-W’s emergency shelter, Mary’s Place, which provides in-kind
supports, such as office space and supplies, telephone, and network support. Program staff is
also well connected to Mary’s Place staff, which makes the referral process easier for both staff
and women and families wanting a Circle. As active agencies in the K-W downtown core, both
Circles and YWCA staff regularly connect with other downtown staff to ensure effective program
delivery.
A Circle is made up of one woman/family transitioning from Mary’s Place and 2-3 female
volunteers from the community. A MCCO staff person or a volunteer Circle Support Facilitator is
actively involved with newly forming Circles and over time they reduce support to these groups
as relationships and trust are built. Circle Support Facilitators are long standing volunteers who
have participated in advanced training and work to support and facilitate several Circles. The
Circle Support Facilitators receive a small honorarium.
Circle of Friends has a Program Advisory Committee. Various groups in the community that
have partnered with and supported Circles over the years are represented on this Committee
and include past program participants, Circle Support Facilitator and supporting church.
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Goal:
To end persistent homelessness among women and families by supporting them as they
transition from Mary’s Place, YWCA K-W emergency shelter, back throughout the Waterloo
Region community through Circles.
Population Served:
We work with people (mostly women and their families) who are approaching or experiencing
persistent homelessness in our community. Our participants have several barriers and are
usually quite isolated (poor, unhealthy, and no or very few relationships with peers, family, and
other supports). While we ask for a one-year commitment from program participants, it is our
vision to allow relationships to grow so that long term support will be in place after the one-year
anniversary. The vast majority of women who have participated in the program over the years
have maintained stable housing.
Objectives:
 To support women and families who are experiencing or approaching persistent
homelessness in the transition from Mary’s Place to stable housing through informal
weekly support.
 To provide informal support to maintain housing stability through accompanying to
appointments, helping with budgeting and assisting with general problem solving
 To work with program participants as they develop their own goals and provide support
in meeting these goals.
 To foster friendships that help alleviate the isolation and loneliness that many
participants have experienced.
 To foster relationship skills that result in increased satisfaction and trust in relationships.
 To increase awareness and participation in the community as well as confidence and
skills in accessing the many resources available (e.g. community centres, food hampers,
etc.).
 To deepen the skills and capacity of the Circle Support Facilitators to support Circle
participants and allow the Program Manager to devote more time developing the Circle
of Friends program.
 To provide ongoing support to the women who transition from the formal Circles program
(beyond the first year) to maintain the support, skills and knowledge gained through the
program.
 To recruit, train and support sufficient volunteers by engaging MCCO constituency and
the Waterloo Region community in general in the program.
 To promote the program to generate MCCO constituency and general community
support for the program.
 To use the Social Return on Investment Analysis of Circle of Friends in program
proposals and promotional materials.
 To complete an administrative/process review of the program to help determine the most
appropriate steps for further program development and sustainability.
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2012 Work Plan
 Form 8 new circles. 8 women find and maintain housing.
 Engage up 16 new volunteers in the program.
 Hold monthly gatherings for women (12-20) who are supported in the community.
 To firmly establish the Circle Support Facilitators model, with 2 Circle Support
Facilitators providing assistance and support to up to 4 Circles.
 Increase awareness of the Circles program in the Community through use of the Social
Return on Investment Analysis, the short Circle of Friends promotional video and by
speaking to church and community groups.
 Provide up to 6 training and skills development workshops for Circle volunteers
 Complete administrative/process review with recommendations for further program
development and sustainability.
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