How The Circle’s Edge, Inc. is different?
The Circle’s Edge, Inc. is different from most other organization in that we addresses issues very important but vastly overlooked issues within society such as loneliness, bullying, singleness and many other related challenges that many people – such as those with Asperger’s Syndrome, developmental delays, and other issues face – particularly finish school and enter into adulthood.
Most groups address the issue of bullying and isolation by awareness measures – which is most certainly needed. However the bully AND victim both are all to aware of this reality.
Although The Circle’s Edge, Inc. was officially gained 501c3 status in 2001, they unofficially started this group in the mid 1990’s before the Columbine High shooting.
Since the Columbine High shooting, there are various peer mediation groups in local high schools and several bully awareness organizations in the UK and America to advocate the BYSTANDERS to not just sit and watch but get up and stop it.
However outside of these efforts which are all very much needed, little if anything exist for those solitary, isolated, loners out there all on their own. And there are no groups whose mission is to foster belonging for single, lonely, individuals who dwell outside the in-crowd.
Our missions is to foster a belonging aspect by offering welcoming social activities to such individuals. Offering educational art programs and social activities with no niche attached.
For if the victim had a group of peers s/he hung with, the bully would need to contend with all of their friends. The victim however is most times a loner with limited friends and backing. Additionally, it is all too evident that bullying is not just some elementary or high school issue. There is work place bullying as well as bullying in universities, churches, and many other arenas which are totally overlooked until it is too late.
Therefore, we, The Circle’s Edge, Inc., offers meetings, socials, and educational events as a way for people (in particular those who feel left out) to get involved and belong to something with no niche attached. Our meetings and activities offer a way to foster the belonging aspect of our mission.
There have been administrators, social groups, and people trying to implement programs to address peer mediation, tolerance, and various other things along the lines of fitting in, acceptance, and anti-bullying. There however still is a deep atmosphere of bullying, neglect, and forced conformity in most schools as well as many work environments! As they say, bullying is not isolated to schools. It happens in work, in church, and in many other arenas in life.