Circles Washtenaw County

What We Do

Circles is a national program with more than 70 chapters nationwide and in Canada. The goal of Circles is to permanently lift families out of poverty. Circle’s unique strategy utilizes education, goal setting, training, and above all, relationships to help participants develop the resources and social capital they need to rise out of poverty and achieve economic mobility and self-sufficiency.

Individuals experiencing poverty who are highly motivated and open to change can apply to our program to become Circle Leaders. As a Circle Leader a participant can expect to:

  • Enroll in a 14-week Circles Leaders Training Class to build financial, emotional and social resources.
  • Partner with 2-3 Allies, middle- or upper-income community volunteers who support a Circle Leader’s efforts through networking, listening, and guidance.
  • Attend weekly community meetings for 18 months with peers, Allies, and other interested community members for planning, support and networking opportunities.

As a chapter we meet every Tuesday night at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Ann Arbor. We start every meeting with a meal together (Leaders, families, Allies, staff and volunteers). After the meal a separate Children’s Program is provided while the adults are in the Circles programming.

Become a Leader

Participants are called Circle Leaders because they are the ones who lead themselves out of poverty. Prior to starting the Circles program, Circle Leaders receive training to learn about: Time and money management, job opportunities, improving communication skills, goal setting. This training will prepare you for the Circles process. After successfully completing training, you will be paired with 2-3 Allies who walk alongside you during your journey out of poverty. Your Allies are there to be your biggest supporters as you work to achieve the goals you have set for yourself.

Throughout the course of the Circles journey, Leaders typically see their incomes improve, debt and public assistance decrease, and new, healthy relationships being established.

A Successful Circle Leader will: 

    • Complete the 14 week Circle Leader Training
    • Show up to weekly meetings and take advantage of available resources
    • Set goals in order to make progress towards their individualized economic stability plan
    • Act as a leader in their Circle and community
    • Support other Circle Leaders and Allies
    • Use their knowledge, skills, and voice to work on identifying and eliminating barriers that trap people in poverty
    • Trust that their Allies and Circles support are on their team and want them to succeed

Benefits of Being a Circle Leader

    • Choose your own goals to work toward
    • Create your own individualized plan
    • Learn and acquire new skills
    • The opportunity to share your story and be understood
    • Gain access to community resources
    • Fulfill your short term and long term dreams
    • Make lasting and meaningful friendships
    • Establish a healthy support network of people you can count on
    • Improve your quality of life
    • Gain economic stability
    • Dinner and childcare provided every Tuesday evening!

Circle Leader Applications are currently closed until we are ready to begin Cohort 7. To learn more about becoming a Circle Leader please email circles@friendsindeedmi.org

Become an Ally

Circle Allies are members of the community who want to create supportive and intentional friendships with individuals and families who are working toward eliminating poverty from their lives (Circle Leaders). The Circle Allies support and learn from the Circle Leader as they work together toward accomplishing the Leader’s plan.

What does an Ally do?

2-3 Circle Allies are paired with a Circle Leader for 18 months.  Allies participate in Match Night meetings where they spend time connecting with their Leader and supporting the Leader’s work on their goals.  In addition to attending Match Night meetings with their Circle Leader, an Ally may participate in a “Big View” meeting with other Circle Leaders and Allies and/or attend one or more of the Topic Night presentations. Allies join the Circles community for dinners on Tuesday night as a chance to bond with the rest of the Circles community before programming begins.  As part of this relationship, a Circle Ally might critique a resume, network on behalf of the Circle Leader, provide a listening ear and/or simply provide direction and encouragement.

What makes a good Ally?

To be a good Ally you only need to be able to be a good friend. Good friends are reliable, take a genuine interest in one-another’s well-being, help each other connect to resources, and provide support.

What is my weekly time commitment?

Allies are expected to commit to attending Circles at least twice a month and make contact with their Leader weekly. Most Allies find that they prefer to attend Circles every week. We understand there will be times you may have something come up or be out of town, but it’s important to be there as often as possible in order to develop meaningful relationships with Circle Leaders. Time outside weekly meetings is encouraged. Average weekly commitment of 2-3 hours.

Am I obligated to help my Circle Leader out financially?

Nope! In fact we ask that money and extravagant gifts not be exchanged while participating in Circles. Giving money to a Leader can create an unhealthy power imbalance and inequity within the greater Circles community. We encourage Allies to connect their Circle Leaders with community resources, or to talk with their Coach if questions of money donations arise.

How long will I be an Ally?

You will be an Ally to your Circle Leader for the duration of their Circles journey (approximately 18 months). However, your friendship will be indefinite!

How do I become an Ally?

If you are interested in becoming an Ally, we encourage you to first attend one of our Circles information sessions. Email circles@friendsindeedmi.org to receive the dates/times of upcoming sessions. You may also complete our Volunteer Application and a Circles staff member will reach out to you.

Provide a Meal

Every week we depend on the generosity of volunteers to provide and serve a meal to our Circles group! (We also invite volunteers to join us in enjoying the meal!)

Meals can be prepared ahead of time and heated or cooked in the kitchen at St. Luke Lutheran Church. Groups can also choose to purchase a meal through local restaurants or catering options.

If you would like to provide a meal for one of our Tuesdays, please contact our Community Resource Team coordinator, Sandy Talbott.

Children and Youth Program

If you like working with school-age kids, the Children’s Program may be for you. As a volunteer, you will volunteer two hours on Tuesday evenings on a regular basis to provide support to the Lead Teachers and assist youth with any homework or tutoring support they need.

Fill out a Volunteer Application or contact the Circles staff to attend one of our upcoming Circles Information sessions: circles@friendsindeedmi.org.

Join A Resource Team

We have several resource teams designed to help support the success of the Circles program:

  • Jobs and Education Team (JET) partners with Leaders and their Allies helping them to define and achieve their career and education goals. We frequently draw upon our team’s experience and networks to meet each Leader’s specific needs. If the cohort has common needs, our team develops targeted workshops or identifies experts to lead training. This team meets once a month via a zoom and tries to have a team member present at every Circle meeting. Members of the JET team are often knowledgeable in some of these areas:

    • Education (ex. scholarship/college application assistance, career training requirement research, exam preparation, after high school planning)

    • Jobs & Workforce Readiness (ex. resume and cover letter review, interview preparation, networking guidance, career exploration, marketable skill identification/development, finding local jobs with livable wage & benefits)

    • Business & Start-Up (ex. consultation, liaison to business resources, business plan assistance, advising

  • Big View Team supports the Circles community through helping navigate, educate and advocate around many of the systemic barriers that hold people in poverty. The team meets twice a month virtually and attends Circles meetings every other month. Members of the Big View team can expect to be involved in:

    • Listening sessions with the Circle Leaders as they identify systemic barriers

    • Researching policies and practices that can influence systemic barriers

    • Educating both the Circles and greater community on topics like: Voter Education, the Benefits Cliff Effect, and local, state, and federal policies that impact individuals experiencing poverty

    • Helping organize events like community town halls and panels

    • Building healthy relationships with local and state leaders as a pipeline for Circles Leaders voices to be heard

  • Community Team ensures that the Circles community is fed every week! This team coordinates meals, volunteers, kitchen supervisors, and supplies. They also assist with special events like Family Nights and Circles graduation ceremonies. The team meets in person every other month. Kitchen Supervisors typically lead the kitchen duties once a month.

To learn more about joining one of these teams, please complete our Volunteer Application and attend one of our Circles Information sessions. To find the dates/times of upcoming sessions please email: circles@friendsindeedmi.org .