Our Impact
Stories of New Circles
Finding His Footing- Nicholas Ng’ang’s Journey of Resilience and Belonging in Canada
Clothing Program
School Attendance Impact: Access to appropriate school clothing can increase attendance by up to 5%. New Circles supports approximately 5,000 school-aged children annually, contributing to improved school participation and engagement.
Environmental Impact: New Circles diverts more than 200,000 lbs of clothing from landfills each year, helping address the fact that 85% of discarded textiles in Canada end up in landfills or incinerators.
Financial Relief for Families: Based on the 2025 GLOW Client Satisfaction Survey (286 respondents), families save an average of $800 annually on clothing expenses, with savings often redirected to essentials such as food, rent, and utilities.
High Client Satisfaction:
- 96% found some or all of the clothing items they needed.
- 99% rated staff and volunteers as friendly or very friendly.
- 81% found the booking process easy.
- 98% were satisfied with wait times.
Ongoing Needs: About 23% of clients could not find items for every household member, primarily due to size and inventory limitations. The most requested items are winter jackets, children’s clothing, women’s clothing, and shoes.
Overall Program Impact: The GLOW program reduces financial strain, improves quality of life, and provides a dignified, retail-like shopping experience for individuals and families facing financial barriers.
Newcomer Settlement Services
New Circles’ Settlement Support helps newcomers, living on low incomes build pathways out of poverty and toward long-term financial independence. Many newcomers and low-income residents rely on government social assistance programs such as Ontario Works and the Canada Workers Benefit to meet basic needs, but face significant systemic barriers when trying to transition. Through our Settlement Program, newcomers are met with compassionate, one-on-one support to help them build a new life.
- 589 Clients received settlement support last year.
- 400 Received a Needs and Assets Assessment and Referral Services.
- 78 People transitioned off Social Assistance contributing to $1.09 in government savings.
New Circles’ Settlement Support addresses these gaps by providing practical, employment focused interventions that lead to sustainable outcomes.
Employment Program
New Circles’ employment programs are a key driver of long-term economic and social impact in the community, helping individuals move from barriers to meaningful, sustainable work.
Each year, approximately 200 participants take part in training programs designed to build job readiness, confidence, and workplace skills. These programs are highly effective, with an estimated 60% of participants securing employment after completion—supporting about 120 individuals annually in transitioning into the workforce.
The impact of these employment gains is significant. Each successfully employed participant contributes an estimated $38,000 in annual economic output, resulting in approximately $4.56 million in added economic activity each year. In addition, as individuals move from social assistance into stable employment, there is an estimated $1.09 million reduction in government support costs annually.
Beyond the financial benefits, these programs strengthen economic independence, improve quality of life, and support long-term stability for individuals and families. They are a critical part of New Circles’ broader impact, helping to create pathways out of poverty while contributing to a stronger, more resilient community.
Volunteer Program
Based on a 2025 Volunteer program survey:
Our 5-Point Plan for Positive Change
As we continue building a stronger, more impactful volunteer experience, we are committed to ongoing improvement. Guided by volunteer feedback and organizational priorities, our 5-point plan focuses on strengthening engagement, communication, and long-term sustainability.
1.Strengthen Communication & Transparency- We will provide clearer updates, set consistent expectations, and increase visibility into organizational decisions and changes, ensuring volunteers feel informed, connected, and valued.
2.Increase Volunteer Inclusion & Engagement- We will create more opportunities for volunteers to participate, share ideas, and provide feedback while helping them better understand the impact of their contributions.
3.Improve Operational Coordination- We will enhance shift coordination, clarify responsibilities, and standardize processes to create a smoother, more organized volunteer experience.
4.Preserve Our Positive Volunteer Culture- We will continue fostering a welcoming and respectful environment built on appreciation, flexibility, and meaningful relationships that inspire volunteers to return year after year.
5.Build a Sustainable Volunteer Future – We will expand outreach efforts, attract new and younger volunteers, and invest in strategies that support the long-term growth and sustainability of our volunteer community.
“I don’t know where I would be without the help of New Circles. Because of their skills training program, I found a job and my life has completely changed. I can provide for my family and hold my head up high. Thank you New Circles!”
– Tammy – New Circles client