Circle began with a group of women who had an idea to raise funds for YWCA’s domestic violence shelter. They wanted 100 women to come together and each donate $100 in support of YWCA’s domestic violence services. At that time in the late 90s, few believed that women had the financial capital to come together and put on a successful fundraising event. The doubters were proved wrong: Circle was immensely successful and continued on as a women-only fundraising event for at least a decade. In the mid-2000s, men were invited to join Circle for the first time.
The goal of Circle has always been and continues to be to provide a circle of financial support for individuals and their children experiencing domestic violence in northeast Indiana. Circle raises both awareness and funds for YWCA’s life changing domestic violence services.