Newsletter: August 2023

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 exciting and sometimes terrifying experience of being a first-year student: the pressure to fit in, to excel, and to find one’s place. Now that they are in their upper years, they have become student facilitators who hold space for their peers to find belonging at our volunteer groups and events. Thank you for your support of Student Open Circles – you are a vital part of creating these opportunities for reflection and growth for young people!

— Marybeth and Jeff


Student Open Circles - Annual Snapshot
• 650 students involved
• 800+ hours of individual spiritual care
• 3,200 student-hours in extra-curricular personal development courses
• 50 student leaders receive regular training and mentoring
• 1,000 student-hours in leadership workshops and individual coaching
• 10,800 hours of volunteer service

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