A Wider Circle: Helping the Destitute Lift Themselves Out of Poverty

 Described as “an example of the grassroots movement at its best” by the Examiner, A Wider Circle is a Silver Spring, Maryland-based non-profit organization dedicated to helping children and adults lift themselves out of poverty. Never saying no to anybody, A Wider Circle provides basic necessities to impoverished families daily, whether they're transitioning out of shelters or just living without these items. The organization also furnishes the homes of more than 1,000 children and adults every month for free, as well as leads educational workshops about healthy self-esteem, resume writing, and stress management, among others, at low-income schools and shelters. Going where the needs are greatest and doing what is most needed, A Wider Circle helps tens of thousands of people each year and more than 300 social service agencies that regularly contact the non-profit for assistance in serving their clients.

A Wider Circle was founded in 2001 by Dr. Mark Bergel, who at the time was working as a part-time instructor at American University, health professional, and consultant. He volunteered to deliver food to destitute residents in the Washington, DC area and was surprised at the poor living conditions he saw there. As he went from home to home, Dr. Bergel met families without beds, food, and access to basic health information. He subsequently began talking with non-profit leaders, social workers, shelter managers, and school personnel about forming an organization that would develop holistic programs – programs that would address both people's material and “inner” needs.

Shortly after its founding in October, A Wider Circle started delivering programs in February of 2002. During its first year, the organization served 1,081 individuals. Today, A Wider Circle serves over 23,000 people per year. In 2012 alone, A Wider Circle furnished the homes of more than 13,100 children and adults, delivered over 400 educational programs, and recycled more than 2 million pounds of furniture and home goods, collecting them from people who no longer needed them and distributing them to the needy for free.

A Wider Circle has received the Washington Area Women's Foundation Leadership Award and has been named “one of the best” charities by the Catalogue for Philanthropy.