Circles of Support: Responding to Stress and Crisis in Advocacy Work is a survivor-centered guide designed to support advocacy programs in responding to stress and crisis while promoting physical and emotional safety for advocates, organizations, and survivors. Grounded in an Accessible, Culturally Responsive, and Trauma-Informed (ACRTI) approach, this toolkit introduces the Circles of Support framework, an organizational approach that strengthens connection and collaboration across programs.
The Circles of Support framework outlines five interconnected steps: Preparation, Response, Reflection and Care, Evaluation, and Prepare and Update, with strategies that help programs build strong foundations, respond effectively during moments of distress or crisis, and strengthen future responses.
This guide includes practical tools for program leadership and advocates. Organized into three sections: Program Leadership Support, Wellness in Advocacy: Caring for Ourselves While Caring for Others, and Supporting Survivors, it can be used flexibly for individual reflection, team discussion, supervision, and program planning.