The Open Circle Foundation supports and empowers service workers and community leaders through retreats, mentoring, and training programs, designed to uplift and inspire.
“On embarking on Open Circle’s program I was hoping for a life changing experience, but I didn't know the depths of that change and what would be required to elicit it. I was faced with challenges, both physical and mental, but the guides "lead without leading" and steered me up the mountain. During our fireside circles, we delved deep into pain points and unpacked years of suffering and trauma. I came out with a renewed belief in myself and what I was capable of. This trip definitely changed my life and I am now putting in the work to ensure others receive value from the work that was done up there.”
– Antonio DeAscanis, Marine Corps Veteran
Our Work
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We lead nature based retreats and wilderness trips to nourish, restore and recenter leaders and organizations that are serving on the frontlines of communities in crisis.
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We provide coaching and short form education sessions to empower and uplift leaders and teams in navigating the every day challenges of living their mission in action.
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We train leaders and teams to revitalize their communities through catalyzing connection and collaboration.
PROJECT PROfILE
Jeremy “Coach” Moore, Founder
More Than Fitness
Coach Moore is a military veteran and winner of the Jefferson Service Award, which he won for his work at More Than Fitness, a non-profit he founded in 2018 to provide young people with a place to address mental health issues through mindfulness and fitness.
We began our relationship with Coach Moore in the Olympic Mountains in Washington as part of our Veterans Wilderness program. From our shared passion for community service has grown a vital partnership.
In October 2023, More Than Fitness and the Open Circle Foundation are partnering to provide a community Listening Circle training. The skills from this will be used to grow connection and collobaration as part of the More Than Fitness after school program, in Juvenile Detention work and in community outreach events.
Serving those that Serve Success Story
Nine mission driven leaders joined us for the 2023 Soul and Spirit of Leadership retreat in the Owyhee Canyonlands of Eastern Oregon to explore the soul of their work in the world.
Live in Owyhee, at the end of the journey some of them shared its impact.
Current Projects
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Serving those that Serve
We serve those on the frontlines of community service by offering them scholarships to training and retreats. Through our scholarships program we:
* Nourish community and non profit leaders by enabling them to attend wilderness retreats and trainings
* Empower youth leaders to develop and materialize their projects for community service
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MTF Youth Wilderness Rite of Passage
More Than Fitness is a holistic program for youth in communities in crisis. The Foundation is supporting this work with internal asset development and training for coaches.
Our work with More Than Fitness will culminate with guiding a group of youth leaders on a backpacking challenge on the Appalachian Trail in April 2024 to further the mission of More than Fitness to equip young people with the tools to build strong bodies, resilient minds and unbreakable spirits.
Learn more about More Than Fitness here.
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Care for the Soul
Nourishing the hearts, minds and souls of Military Chaplains. The sort of challenges that Military Chaplains encounter are unique. This project is structured to support and nourish them in their journeys and give them vital tools to utilize in some of the challenging circumstances they face.
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Wellness in the Wild
Wellness in the Wild supports Veterans in college to reignite their sense of mission and purpose in the civilian world as they continue to serve in new ways.
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Fundraiser: Community Connector Circles
The purpose of this project is to host facilitated spaces in the wellness & fitness community to develop a sense of belonging and mutual respect, and strengthen the potential for collaboration within and beyond this community.
Scholarship recipient, Isaac Rubinstien, created this fundraisng project for Open Circle to benefit those who want more depth, diversity and inclusivity from their fitness and/or wellness community through conscious conversation.
All proceeds will go toward supporting future Open Circle scholarship candidates.
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Fundraiser: Watershed Walkabout Scavenger Hunt
Inspired by the upcoming Earth Day, the Watershed Walkabout is designed to deepen our connection to the local environment and cultivates a stronger sense of place by helping participants understand the many elements of a watershed (the land, water, flora and fauna etc.).
Scholarship recipient, NoaT Bohnett, created this journey as a call to adventure; an opportunity to discover the beauty of our surroundings and appreciate the richness of our local environment.
All proceeds will go towards supporting future young environmental leaders to receive training.
Support Those Who Serve
We empower Veterans through offering community wilderness programs; supporting their businesses and work projects; and offering coaching and training to enable them to transfer leadership and service skills into the civilian environment.
Our Board
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Adam Rumack
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Brandon Harding
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Miriam Jones
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Chris Arlen
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Andrew Bray
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Tim Swift
Open Circle
Open Circle is an organizational development company that works with purpose driven companies to remove obstacles to growth, broaden perspectives, and deepen connections throughout the entire organizational ecosystem.
The Open Circle mission is to transform organizations into thriving ecosystems for the greater good of humanity.