What is A More Perfect Union?
A More Perfect Union is a not-for-profit volunteer organization that trains women to have constructive, supportive relationships. Through the sharing of common experiences and participation in targeted exercises, The Circle of Women program engenders trust, promotes personal responsibility and self-reliance, and demonstrates the power of strong female bonds.
Participation in The Circle of Women program deepens a woman's capacity to think critically about her own behavior, to support others in achieving life goals, and to strengthen her family while broadening her spheres of contribution and influence.
For two decades, dozens of A More Perfect Union volunteers have united and empowered other women through the belief that we and the women we serve have more in common than we have differences. Our goal is to have the women we work with have successful, productive lives that benefit themselves and, by extension, all of our communities. We are not drug or alcoholism counselors, social workers, or medical professionals. We are ordinary women who are making a difference in the lives of others.
What does A More Perfect Union do?
We train women to have supportive relationships with other women through The Circle of Women program. We deliver The Circle of Women program to women in residential facilities throughout the New York metropolitan area who are in recovery from addictions, domestic violence and homelessness and preparing to re-enter our communities.
Our program, delivered in five monthly sessions, reveals the commonality among women, regardless of economic and demographic differences. In a confidential environment, program participants and volunteers articulate, validate, and strengthen their life goals. All are encouraged to be self-reliant by learning and sharing the skills necessary to ask for support and to set and fulfill goals. Our methodology can be replicated in any community. The Circle of Women program is presented entirely by trained volunteers; no special experience or advanced degrees are necessary.
We have delivered The Circle of Women program to over 1,000 women in New York City since our inception. Facilities that have participated in our program include: Women in Need, Sanctuary for Families, Veritas Therapeutic Community, Phoenix House, and Odyssey House.
Why was A More Perfect Union established?
The founding members of A More Perfect Union realized that in order to lead successful lives, women must rely on a network of support that is based on interconnected relationships. Historically, women spent many hours together sharing experiences and common issues. Many of these opportunities centered on home and family. As women entered the modern workplace, social, cultural and economic changes eroded these networks. The women we serve have experienced damaged ability to develop strong, productive relationships in their personal and professional lives. A More Perfect Union's vision is to restore and build on the traditional sense of community. We encourage close, supportive relationships among women producing healthier and more fulfilling lives.
