A Wider Circle

A Wider Circle was established in 2001 by health professional and American University professor Dr. Mark Bergel with the goal of developing holistic programming to help individuals and families break the poverty cycle. In fiscal 2022, the organization served more than 10,000 children and adults with the help of nearly 12,000 volunteers.

Each of A Wider Circle's initiatives is tailored to address both the root causes as well as the effects of systemic poverty. Its Essential Support program provides furniture, baby items, and other household goods to individuals transitioning out of homelessness, fleeing domestic violence, or re-entering the workforce. The Workforce Development program offers employment assistance resources including resume and cover letter writing, interview practice, job search and application assistance, and access to professional attire. Its Neighborhood Partnerships program works to alleviate poverty from within low-income communities, and the Partnership to Independence program is a five-year pilot program designed to empower a cohort of 18 families. Through this diverse array of services, A Wider Circle endeavors to enable and empower individuals to achieve long-term self-sufficiency.