Our Stories

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A group of people planting trees

Since our beginning in 2001, kindness, love, and respect for diversity have guided Student Open Circles. In our world today, this is more urgent than ever; to let love feed ...

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Julia (2nd from left)

By Julia Gallant, student

To love and accept yourself is a powerful thing. For a long time, it seemed like an unattainable goal. A fantasy ...

Amanda

By Amanda Backal, student

“I have found that whenever someone describes Open Circle, they almost always comment on the beautifully welcoming and inviting atmosphere. As we navigate university life ...

HasimAlani
Hashim (middle back) with his weekly volunteers at the Pathways to Education program

By Hashim Alani, student

Throughout my undergrad years, the experiences I’ve had with Student Open Circles ...

Student holding a sign that says "SOC supports growth by building a community!"

Join Student Open Circle in Growing Stronger Together by supporting our crowdfunding campaign. Help us raise $10,000 to support students spiritually, in their personal and leadership growth, and in service ...

A student reading with a child at an afterschool program

Give a gift that changes lives. Our unique charity gifts are perfect as a special gift for loved ones. Ideal for ‘someone who has everything,’ those hard-to-buy-for friends and loved ones ...

A group of children and mentors smiling and laughing

New first year students have been looking us up and getting involved this summer before they even start at McMaster! In this letter, Julia, Divya, and Rose vividly describe the ...

JulieHarper

by Julia Harper, student

My involvement with Open Circle has been one of the highlights of my undergrad journey so far. Many will remember the feeling of being a ...

YouthTransitions(LR)

Our weekly student volunteers provide mentorship and tutoring for underserved children and youth throughout Hamilton.

Above: online tutoring for recent immigrant youth at YMCA. Bottom-left: childcare at a local women’s ...

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Divya (centre) with Marybeth, Julia, and others during our streetwalk training

By Divya Tamilselvan, student

Something you don’t normally find at university: a service that is devoted to helping ...

By Rose Leishman, student

Student Open Circles (SOC) has been an integral component to my university experience and impacted me in multiple ways. It provides an incredible community space ...