The Circle Education is celebrating its 30th anniversary in August. Leading up to this milestone, we talk with people who played a significant role in our history. Robert Birch was the first male facilitator for SWOVA (now The Circle Education) and one of the...
Blog
Thirty Years in the Making: Personal experiences led Sarah Belknap to The Circle Education
Sarah Belknap volunteered with The Circle Education in a time of transition. Her term as Board Chair was challenging, but after eight years, she left an organization that was ready for the future. Photo: Sarah Belknap (second on the right) with boardmembers and other...
Female Polytechnique Alumni Looks Back on Pioneering Years and Montreal Tragedy
36 years ago, on December 6th, 1989, fourteen young women were murdered at the École Polytechnique de Montréal because a man believed they didn’t belong there. Salt Spring Island resident Lucie Wheeler, the first female refinery engineer for Shell Canada, graduated...
Take Action Against Gender-Based Violence
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence begin today with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Around the world, communities mark these 16 days by learning, speaking up, and taking concrete steps to prevent gender-based...
Thirty Years in the Making: ‘We need these programs now more than ever’
Thirty years ago, Lynda Laushway was the first executive director of SWOVA (Salt Spring Women Opposed Violence and Abuse), which became The Circle Education in 2020. Her personal set of values and background in criminal justice led her on a path of preventing...
Thirty Years in the Making: The Power of Real Connections
Olivia Hayne started as a participant in Pass it On when she was 15 years old. It was so meaningful to her that, ten years later, she joined the board of The Circle Education. “This program is incredibly special, and I want to make sure it continues and expands so it...
30 Years in the Making: How a 17-year-old started Pass it On
As The Circle Education approaches its 30th anniversary in August 2026, we’re taking this year to reflect, honour, and celebrate the people and moments that brought us here. Over the next ten months, join us on a journey into our 30th year. Each story we share is a...
The Parent Project Podcast: Gratitude Fosters Connection
How can gratitude be used as a tool to connect our families? In the ninth, and last, episode of the Parent Project Podcast, parents and grandparents share why they use gratitude as a practice to foster connection, especially in the face of challenges. When life is...
She Shed Tour: Unique and Rare Opportunity to Peek into Creative Spaces
On Saturday, May 31st, Salt Spring women are opening their She Sheds to the public for one day as a fundraiser for The Circle Education’s Pass it On Girls program. Multi-disciplined visual artist Melanie Thompson was on the inaugural tour in 2018 and will be part of...
The Parent Podcast Project: ‘Consent within Your Family, a Fuzzy Balance’
How do we, as parents, navigate consent within our families? In the eighth episode of the Parent Project Podcast, parents and grandparents speak of the fine line between holding up boundaries, expectations and responsibilities within the family, while offering kids...
The Parent Project Podcast: Why Having Boundaries Sometimes Is Hard
Setting boundaries is difficult but so important! In episode 7 of the Parent Project Podcast, Kate Nash and other parents and grandparents share how boundaries can bring our families closer and how healthy boundaries can lead to deeper relationships. Photo by Nick...
The Parent Project Podcast: Less talking, more listening
Episode 6 of the Parent Project Podcast is all about communication. How can we overcome communication barriers to improve relationships within our family? Parents and grandparents share communication challenges and successes with their kids and grandkids. “Less...



















