OCF Blog

As the Executive Director of One Circle Foundation and a former teen participant in Girls Circle, watching the FX docuseries Social Studies by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Lauren Greenfield felt like a powerful confirmation that teens still need safe, meaningful spaces to express themselves, and they’re not finding them in their digital worlds.

This April, during National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, we invite you to read a powerful personal story from Shayla Benson, One Circle Foundation’s Director of Curricula. As a survivor and sexuality educator, Shayla shares what she witnessed in school hallways, how consent culture is often missing in youth spaces, and what led her to create Voice & Choice: Embracing Boundaries and Consent.

Celebrating Impact. Honoring Strengths. Inspiring Action.  We are thrilled to share One Circle Foundation’s 2024 Annual Report: Honoring Strengths—a powerful reflection of the impact we’ve made together. 

Are you passionate about youth development and transforming communities? Do you want to use your leadership skills to make a lasting impact? Now is your chance to get involved at the highest level by joining One Circle Foundation's (OCF) Board of Directors. 

"Let Freedom Ring" was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s powerful call for change—a rallying cry that resonated throughout the Civil Rights Movement and became a defining principle of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlawed discrimination and ensured equal access for all. Say it with me...

Grief is a universal human experience, but it is also deeply personal. The fires in Southern California remind us of the profound impact loss can have on individuals, families, and communities. During such times, it is essential to create spaces where grief can be expressed, understood, and ...

My career in leadership coaching is a natural extension of my experiences, including my time as OCF's interim Executive Director. During this period, I mentored rising leaders, helping them navigate challenges, build confidence in their abilities, and develop the skills needed to lead effectively. These experiences deepened my passion for helping others discover their potential. Now, as a coach, I partner with my clients to explore their whole selves, recognizing them as naturally creative, resourceful, and whole. Together, we uncover what resonates most deeply with their values, empowering them to lead with clarity, confidence, and purpose. 

As part of this commitment, leaders from the MBK Yonkers chapter participated in The Council for Boys and Young Men Facilitator Training, a program focused on equipping educators with strength-based methods to manage group dynamics, address behavioral challenges, and promote safe, healthy behaviors. Attendees included educators, counselors, and school staff from Yonkers’ schools. The training emphasized prevention and intervention strategies that minimize classroom disruptions, maximize group cohesion, and nurture students’ personal growth...

We are all connected. One Circle Foundation is grateful to showcase the transformative work of our partnering organizations and Circle facilitators worldwide in empowering youth. Through their dedication and dynamic implementation of Circles, our partners create safe, inclusive spaces where young ...

As the chill of November sets in, you might start noticing a sudden abundance of mustaches sprouting up around you—on friends, coworkers, even your local barista. But these are more than just style statements; they’re part of the annual Movember movement, a month-long campaign where men grow mustaches to raise awareness for men's health issues, including prostate and testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention. Movember isn’t just about facial hair—it’s about sparking conversations, supporting critical health causes, and making a positive impact. We asked Christopher Emmanuel...