Become a Circles Participant…

LEAD Your Family Out of Poverty!

Are you tired of living paycheck to paycheck? Are you ready to make a lasting change and lead your family out of poverty? Become a Circles Leader! Circles is a long-term approach to addressing poverty in our community.

Become a Circles Participant…

LEAD Your Family Out of Poverty

Are you tired of living paycheck to paycheck? Are you ready to make a lasting change and lead your family out of poverty? Become a Circles Leader! Circles is a long-term approach to addressing poverty in our community

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Circles is a long-term approach to addressing poverty in our community. Each week, Circle Leaders (program participants) meet with community volunteers (Allies) over dinner. During these meetings, Circle Leaders receive training and support to achieve their goals toward self-reliance. Over time, incomes improve, debt and public assistance decrease, and healthy relationships are built.

Interested?

To find out more, check out DeAnna’s journey as a Leader in the Circles program through her Journal Entries.

To become a Circles Leader, you must be:

Over 18 years of age
At or below 185% of poverty
Highly motivated to move out of poverty
Relatively stable—not currently experiencing a crisis such as homelessness, domestic violence, or struggling with substance abuse
Open to forming new relationships with people of different economic and/or racial backgrounds.

Real change takes time and commitment. To be successful, Circle Leaders are required to:

Complete Circle Leader Training (12 weeks)
Participate in the Circles program for a minimum of 18 months
Attend weekly meetings to make progress on goals and to receive support

There are many benefits to joining the Circles Community. Circle Leaders receive:

Tools that help manage time and money more effectively
Communication skills for stronger relationships
Coaching to further your education and improve job opportunities
Access to community resources
Opportunities to improve decision making and build your confidence
Support from a caring community of Allies, volunteers, and Circles Staff
The chance to take charge of your life and shape your own future

Dinner and childcare are provided for Circle Leaders and their children at each Circles meeting!

People in poverty often feel helpless and unable to change parts of their communities that don’t work for them. Circles gives both Leaders and volunteers the opportunity to address real community needs. For example, public transportation is a problem in some communities. As a result, some Circles chapters tackle the issue of transportation in order to prompt local bus companies to make more frequent stops in low-income neighborhoods. Other Circles chapters work with local government to attract businesses that promote health and well-being—advocating for grocery stores instead of convenience stores, banks instead of Pay Day loan dealers. As part of Circles, Leaders learn to advocate for change that can improve and shape their own lives—and their community!