Building Healthier Relationships and Communities through
Circles of Support

Illustration of a line of diverse women connecting hands. Empowering Survivors of Gender-Based Violence through Circles of Support and Change

The Circles of Support and Change Project uses a strengths-based, trauma-informed approach to centre the voices of survivors of gender-based violence in supportive circles that include their chosen families, community members, educators, and service providers. Circles of Support and Change is a five-year project of the Antigonish Women’s Centre and Sexual Assault Services, funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada. 

Note: This is a community facilitation project, our staff are facilitators and not crisis workers nor emergency response providers.

Our Community Facilitators

Michelle Newell

Canso and Area

Karla Stevens

Paqtnkek Community

Danielle Martell

Straight Richmond County

three light green leaf shapes. Empowering Survivors of Gender-Based Violence through Circles of Support and Change

Tonya Pelley

African Nova Scotia Communities

Blog Posts

Annual Retreat Day

Elder and therapist Andrea Currie guided the team through a day of reflection and planning on June 2nd at the Elder Centre in Paqtnkek. From

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Making Connections in MoDG

Circles of Support and Change Team members joined 45 other groups and organizations for a services and volunteer fair on May 30th 2023 hosted by

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Cultural Circles for Change

On April 21st 2023, 65 service providers, partners and community members gathered to learn more about what it means to be culturally responsive in marginalized

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May Team Update

On May 30th, ARCSAS staff gathered for a session with Indigenous therapist Michel LeBrun who led the group in ceremony and a thoughtful discussion about

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We’ve been busy!

March and early April have been busy for the Circles Team. There are community events happening, but also great opportunities for us to deepen our

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Our Work

2019-2020
Year One

The first year was focused on getting the team in place, finding the right people in each community to guide the project. Read More >

2020-2021
Year Two

Two community gatherings were held in the Paqt’nkek community to share learning and insights and to reflect on the project impact. The most significant learning from these sessions was the need to develop a strategy for “Supporting the Supporters”.  Read More >

2021-2022
Year Three

Introducing SOSC to other communities, creating community-based opportunities for wellness and healing, and creating a network of culturally responsive service providers/partners were the highlights of this year. Read More >

2022-2023
Year Four

Highlights to come in June, 2023.

Stories of Change

Stories of Change from survivors on their healing journey who were kind enough to share their story with Circles of Support and Change: