Who We Are

Hundreds of thousands of mothers watching their children go to sleep each night in beds rather than on the floor. Children picking out their school clothes each morning from dressers rather than plastic garbage bags. Low-income, pregnant adolescents receiving the care-taking skills needed to raise healthy babies. Recently-homeless parents learning – and putting into practice – the basic life skills needed to find and retain a job. This is why we are here, to create what is possible. The mission of A Wider Circle™ is simple: to help children and adults lift themselves out of poverty.

Each day, A Wider Circle provides basic need items to families transitioning out of shelters or simply living without life’s necessities. We furnish the homes of more than 1,000 children and adults every single month, all free of charge. We also go into low-income schools and shelters to lead educational workshops on topics ranging from healthy self-esteem and stress management to resume writing and financial planning. We go where the needs are greatest and do what is most needed.

A Wider Circle says no to nobody! Anyone in need of help can find it here. In addition to all of the individuals and families that call us, more than 280 social service agencies regularly contact us for help in serving their clients.

A Wider Circle has been named “one of the finest small charities Greater Washington has to offer” by the Catalogue for Philanthropy. The organization has also received the Washington Area Women’s Foundation Leadership Award. Its founder, Dr. Mark Bergel, has received the Greater DC Cares Essence of Leadership Award, the Community Foundation for National Capital Region’s Linowes Leadership Award, and the Andrea Jolly President's Award from the Montgomery County Corporate Volunteer Council. In 2010, Dr. Bergel was also chosen as one of People Magazine and Major League Baseball's "All Stars Among Us."

A Wider Circle has also been honored to have the Examiner describe the organization as “an all-inclusive reservoir of support for those in need… an example of the grassroots movement at its best.”

Staff                      Board                         Interns