Program
Stride Circles is a woman-centered, woman-directed model committed to supporting women who are leaving federal prison in the reintegration into the community.  The Circle's care and support mirrors that which most of us have through family and close friends.

Stride Circles involves community volunteers in creating Circles or networks of support for women leaving prison.  A Stride Circle is made up of one woman who is serving a federal prison sentence (FSW) that desires the support of a Circle, -  three caring, trained, community volunteers.  The Circle's purpose is to support the woman as she reintegrates into the community from federal prison.  Circle Volunteers support the practical and emotional needs of reintegration, helping the woman reframe options and recognize achievements.  The Circle meets and visits her while she is still in prison, hearing her story and getting to know her.  In return, volunteers share parts of their lives with the woman.  Relationships of trust and commitment are built both individually and as a group.  Through these relationships, the Circle mentors the womean as she made the very difficult transition into the community.  The woman works with her Circle to find housing, employment, education, community groups/courses, and to face the many other challenges along the path of reintegration and ultimately becoming self-sufficient.

A Circle helps the woman define her goals, fears adn barriers for and to her life outside of prison.  The Circle supports her to develop strategies for achieving those goals, coping with the fears and overcoming the barriers.  In addition, the Circle is there to listen when things aren't going well, and to cheer when they are.  Circle volunteers help with practical things, like finding out information, transportation, and moving into a new apartment.  They share their own fears and insecurities, encouraging the woman to know she is not alone in her feelings and experiences.  The Circle is there for her in times of celebration and in times of crisis. 

Circle Volunteers support the practical and emotional needs of reintegration, helping the woman reframe options and recognize achievements.  The woman works with her Circle to find housing, employment, education, community groups/courses, and to face the many other challenges in becoming self-sufficient. 

"My life is not where it was; I have a chance now." a woman in a Circle

Research has been conducted on our Circles program documenting it's effectiveness with women reintegrating into the community.  Please refer to the following links to related documents, two of which were prepared by Dr. Alison Pedlar; University of Waterloo:
cji.pac summary paper - preliminary findings 22/10/2007,16:35 59.12 Kb
stride report_yr.1 22/10/2007,16:35 67.72 Kb
stride-pac circles follow-up study 2001 22/10/2007,16:35 154.39 Kb

For more information on becoming a Stride Circle Volunteer, please refer to the "Volunteer" section of this website.  For Circle Training registration and information, please refer to the "Training and Events" Stride program section of this website.