Circle Center Adult Day Services is pleased to partner with local churches across RVA to offer Joy Circle, a free, volunteer-led social engagement and caregiver support program for families navigating dementia or memory loss.

Joy Circle provides a caring, welcoming, and safe environment where participants can enjoy music, art, conversation, brain games, gentle movement, simple activities, and new friendships. At the same time, caregivers can participate in a support group session, enabling them to receive a restorative break, make connections with others who understand the journey, all while knowing their loved one is engaging in social activities with others.

Joy Circle is grounded in Circle Center’s 50 years of experience supporting individuals with dementia and their families. Each location is hosted by a local church, with training and support from Circle Center.

What Happens During a Joy Circle Session?

Each two-hour gathering usually includes:

• A warm welcome and fellowship
• Gentle seated movement
• Music and familiar sing-alongs
• Brain games and conversation
• Reminiscence and storytelling
• Purposeful tasks (setting tables, sorting, simple projects)
• Snack and social connection
• A brief optional spiritual reflection

Our goal is simple: to help each Friend feel safe, valued, engaged, and included.

Is There a Cost?

Joy Circle is free at all locations.

Space is limited, and advance registration is required. Families are encouraged to sign up soon to reserve a spot at the location that is most convenient for them.

Joy Circle Locations

Joy Circle is currently offered at three church partner locations. All programs are free, and each site offers a caregiver support group at the same time as the participant program. Space is limited, so families are encouraged to contact the location most convenient for them as soon as possible.