Our Stories

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Online Winter Retreat

by Hani Choksi, student

Open Circle has always run retreats, where students gather for community-building activities without being distracted by social media or the outside world. However, this term’s ...

Rachel

by Rachel Wang, student

We are living in an age where terms like “social distancing” and “lockdown” are no longer so foreign to us. Somehow, in the past year ...

by Liberty Liu, student

Growing up in a big family, I was constantly surrounded with loud warm voices echoing within the walls. Despite being someone who kept to myself ...

Picture of Adrian
Around the world in 24 hours

by Marybeth Leis Druery

In the past day I’ve been to Egypt, Vancouver, China, and Ontario (all virtually, of course). As I “travelled” the ...

Picture of Simi

by Simi Jayeoba, student

Open Circle’s programming and events have been huge for me in moments where I was in need of connection, support, and understanding. The space that ...

by Vivian Li, student

During this quarantine, when I was forced to establish a new routine consisting of mostly indoor activities, Open Circle helped me reflect on what I need ...

Art from Creativity Circle by Christy

by Christy, student

For many of us, this past summer may not have been the best experience due to the global pandemic. It just so happened that I had ...

Letters and art to seniors

Some art and messages of hope by our Letters to Seniors weekly volunteer groups. Here is a comment by Stephanie Wickens, our agency contact for one of the long term ...

Crowdfunding Campaign Student Testimonials

Join our Navigating Change crowdfunding campaign and make a big difference during the current challenges and uncertainties! Since lockdown started in March, we’ve increased our supports for students and the ...

A letter and artwork from Natalie
Now that all classes are online and extracurricular options are few, many students are looking to Open Circle for community, to find meaning, and to help out in the midst of our current crisis.
Photo of Isabel

by Isabel Khudr, student

I cannot think of a better time to have immersed myself into Open Circles community. During the school year I had limited myself from attending ...