Guest Blogger

At the Fairfield PAL Teen Center, youth mentor Fatima Adeboye is using creativity, compassion, and the Girls Circle model to inspire transformation. By blending fun, themed activities, like her “Defying the Drama: A Wicked-Themed Girls Circle” with meaningful dialogue, Fatima creates a safe and engaging space where girls feel seen, supported, and empowered to grow. Her work at the PAL Teen Center highlights how creativity in Circle can spark connection, confidence, and lasting change for youth in the Fairfield, Suisun, and Travis communities.

My organization works to support women impacted by trauma and who are in the midst of a transition to take the steps needed to move forward in their lives. I’ve been utilizing the Women’s Circle® curriculum in my Well Woman groups (online women’s support groups) for two years. I’ve used all three guides, but my favorite is the Identity—Who I Am activity guide. There are so many things that I love about the curriculum—the ease of use, the online model that allowed me to shift in the middle of the pandemic, and... Read more.

Yo, being a Black dude in today’s world ain’t easy. People judge you just ‘cause of your skin color, and stereotypes are everywhere you turn. But you know what? I ain’t letting that bring me down. I’m standing tall, pushing through all the negativity with everything I got... Read more.

Hello One Circle Community! My name is Vicki Pitstick, and I have worked on contract with One Circle Foundation for 15 years as a trainer and author of the Women’s Circle® Activity Guides. Recently, the organization invited me to write a blog about an initiative I ran at The Ohio State University for ten years called The Girls Circle Project at Ohio State. First, a little history… my initial introduction to One Circle Foundation, known as Girls Circle Association at that time, occurred when I approached the Girl Scouts of America and explained

Understanding and respecting Native cultures involves recognizing the diversity among Native peoples and acknowledging the historical and ongoing impact of colonization. Here are some guidelines to help you be respectful and inclusive... Read More

A circle is a universal symbol of inclusivity and belonging. Sometimes when we are new to a community, you may feel like you are out of that communal circle. It can be challenging to see where you fit in. Where do you belong?

“If we are working toward equity by making a protected space in our groups for the experience of queer kids, we also need to ask ourselves if we are allowing these same queer kids to come with their racial identity, their socioeconomic status, their ability status, their gender identity, their religious affiliation, and everything else that makes them who they are”.

These days, more people than ever are thinking about how they can make a difference for others in their community, which is great because, from homelessness to environmental awareness, there are plenty of causes that need more attention. If you have the drive to make a difference, now’s the time to step up. Janet Campbell of Elder Spark shares some advice about different ways that you can take action in your town today.

... Through my work, I am lucky and blessed to help enrich and empower girls and young women to pursue their intellectual pursuits with confidence, curiosity, and agency. This is my purpose! This is what I was born to do. Just today at our Circle of Peace, which is a daily community gathering amongst students and staff, I recited the Horizons pledge to remind our scholars that we are all sisters in this:  I promise to lift other girls up, have their backs, and make it safe for them to be exactly who they are. Every time I look in the mirror, I’ll remind myself that I am not alone, that I am beautiful, that my voice matters, and that I am enough. To anyone and everyone, including all of the young women that I have served and will serve, THANK YOU for making a difference in my life! Though that imposter syndrome creeps up every now and then, you all are the remedy that treats me every time! I am enough and so are you!  Next week, we will celebrate all things GIRL and everything that we have accomplished, persevered through, and fought for. It is a day where we uplift girls and women all around us, all over the world, those who are silenced and those who have amplified, past and present, here and now. What a day to celebrate women and girls! I challenge you to make a promise and commitment to continue to make an impact in a girl’s life. 

I’ve been considered selfish in my lifetime and hard to work with, I’ve been called a bitch (I may have earned that one a few times), and as an adolescent, I followed through with a plan to take my own life. Just one of these behaviors is enough for some people to distance themselves. Luckily, I have had people in my life who have stuck by me. They gave me the support I needed to grow, to learn, and most importantly, they gave me multiple chances. I think about this when I’m working with families who are struggling, when I’m facilitating structured support groups for youth, and when I’m showing up for my friends and family.  How I show up is important to me.