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Maryland Company Initiative

Initiatives Undertaken by a Maryland Company

A Wider Circle is an award-winning company that provides support to families that struggle with poverty. The company's subtitle, "A unique, holistic approach to ending poverty," testifies to its altruistic sensibility, as well as the wide range of initiatives associated with A Wider Circle. Particularly in Maryland, poverty is a pervasive issue that is difficult for families to combat. The company assists over 1,000 adults and children on a monthly basis, and all assistance is conducted free of charge. Additionally, A Wider Circle provides relief to schools, recognizing the importance of education for combating poverty. This paper examines a number of the measures undertaken by A Wider Circle, including support for veterans and families living in shelters.

One of the foremost initiatives conducted by A Wider Circle involves assisting veterans. While it is true that veterans are ostensibly revered in American culture (there is, after all, a holiday commemorating them), this is tantamount to lip service since very little is done to actually aid the plight of veterans. Accordingly, A Wider Circle conducts a number of alternate "Veteran's Days," known as O.N.E. (One is Not Enough): there are two upcoming O.N.E. days, one on September 12 and the other on November 14. The One is Not Enough works to provide more housing for veterans, as well as improving the housing conditions in which veterans live. To this end, the O.N.E. activities include purchasing beds, providing assistance in moving furniture or reorganizing living conditions to make them easier to live in, and providing home goods. Such home goods not only include furniture but also everyday items such as linens, towels, bed sheets, and kitchenware. Many veterans simply do not possess the requisite means to supply themselves with such items, and the One is Not Enough project works toward improving the quality of life for underprivileged veterans.

In addition to beautifying veterans' living conditions, the One is Not Enough initiative also provides meals to veterans. Many veterans do not possess the means to adequately nourish themselves; this may be because they do not have enough money, or it could simply be that their bodies have atrophied to the point that they can no longer cook for themselves. Accordingly, O.N.E. provides veterans with breakfasts and lunch. In most cases, these are not home-cooked meals, but even a bagged lunch or continental breakfast ensures that they receive the proper nourishment to lead a healthy life, even if they are unable to cook.

Another initiative conducted by A Wider Circle is the Neighbor-to-Neighbor Program; this project endeavors to assist families who are moving out of shelters and do not possess basic household items. A Wider Circle randomly selects the families they assist through social service agencies. The families select the objects they would like to receive; these typically involve beds, dressers, kitchen tables, or related furniture items. Families are also provided with wellness baskets and healthy living tips relating to items such as nutrition, stress management, and sleeping tips. Not only does the Neighbor-to-Neighbor Program provide families with material items, but it also educates families with information that will help them live in a healthy and sustainable manner.

One additional project associated with A Wider Circle is the Shelter Support Program. This initiative is similar to the Neighbor-to-Neighbor program in that both assist those who live (or have lived) in shelters. However, the Shelter Support Program is different in that it focuses more directly on those who are living in shelters rather than those who are moving out of shelters. Accordingly, the Shelter Support Program enhances shelters through beautification measures; this involves providing furniture and household items to families, as well as assisting families with stress-management techniques, nutrition, and financial management. The shelter is often a stressful environment, filled with families and individuals who have often undergone traumatic events and in many cases do not possess the physical attributes necessary to move out of the shelter. To this end, the Shelter Support Program draws inspiration from the idea that the shelter need not be a space that is undesirable, and through beautification measures, those who reside in shelters can be proud of the space they inhabit. Moreover, assisting families with stress-management and nutrition techniques not only enhances the physical space of the shelter but also improves the quality of life of the residents.