Our Stories

Student Open Circles is responding to overwhelming needs during this difficult time in our world and local communities. Homelessness, food insecurity, and mental health challenges continue to rise in Hamilton ...

Above: Volunteers playing Trivial Pursuit with residents at the Conway Opportunity Homes. Below: volunteers making a snack for children at the Learning And Fun afterschool club. I cannot emphasize enough ...

One recent immigrant high school student attended another virtual homework club during the COVID lock-down. When that went back to in-person, they could no longer attend because of work schedule ...

Above: an end of term event combining a downtown outing, community-building, games, and reflection activities about how we've learned and grown through our experiences. I have always believed that the ...

Multiple weekly groups at each program! Conversation Corners (Compass Community Health) Assisting with reading, writing, speaking, listening, and providing translation at a literacy program for newcomer populations and English language ...

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 ...

By Julia, student To love and accept yourself is a powerful thing. For a long time, it seemed like an unattainable goal. A fantasy. The welcoming community, leadership opportunities, and ...

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, it ...

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 (SOC) ...

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 ...