About Circles®
An innovative, community-based approach to dealing with poverty
We believe that responsibility for both poverty and prosperity rests not only in the hands of individuals, but also with societies, institutions, organizations and communities. We also believe that Ashland and Hanover County have an abundance of people, resources, and hope sufficient to make real change through reciprocal relationships in our community- all that is missing are strong bridges between these parts.
We build those bridges by nurturing intentional friendships, providing education opportunities, and advocating for change.
Our approach is a progressive model grounded in research that shows families must have strong social capital and connections (relationships and resources) with their communities in order to improve their economic situation and overall quality of life in their neighborhoods.
Guiding Principles:
We believe that we are in a reciprocal relationship with one another, and our community is strengthened and enriched by our connections.
We believe people have the capacity to change their circumstances through relationships that foster goals and measurable progress.
We believe we intentionally create and nurture a community of care that results in life-long friendships through food, friendship, and fellowship.
We believe that through the power of community, we turn “I can’t” into “I can.”
Intentional Friendships:
The heart of our program is the Matched Circle, an intentional long-term friendship between a Circle Leader (a motivated person experiencing poverty) and two Allies (financially stable persons leveraging their social capital to support the goals of their Circle Leaders).
From this Circle, and as a result of our weekly fellowship dinners, other relationships ripple: among Leaders, Allies, volunteers, and children, and between Matched Circles, organizational partnerships, and throughout the community.
Education Opportunities:
At our weekly meetings after dinner, Circle Leaders meet with their Allies, learn new skills, or connect with resources that will help them achieve their goals for getting out of poverty. Circles volunteers learn about the realities of poverty through monthly meetings, workshops, and other educational events, and share that knowledge with the greater Ashland an Hanover County community, including local government, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and faith communities.
Advocacy:
Once we’ve identified systemic barriers to overcoming poverty, we advocate for changes in policies, procedures, and structures at the local, state, and national level.
What is Circles®?
Circles® USA is the result of more than 20 years of research and the development of leadership tools for communities by Move the Mountain Leadership Center.
Circles has worked to address poverty by increasing the capacity of communities. Our approach combines best practices in several disciplines including community organizing, case management, grassroots leadership, S.M.A.R.T. goal setting, financial literacy, mentoring, peer-to-peer counseling and learning, and child/youth development.
Our mission is to inspire and equip families and communities to thrive and resolve poverty.
The Circles model has been implemented by many well-known organizations such as United Way, Goodwill, The United Methodist Church, Lutheran Social Services, Community Action Partnerships, Catholic Charities, and Chambers of Commerce. It has also been adapted by community colleges, housing corporations, workforce development centers, human service systems, community neighborhood centers, and hospitals.
How does Circles® work?
Circles® is a unique partnership of a Circle Leader and 3 to 4 Allies.
Circle Leaders are low income individuals (and their families) who have the determination and dedication to break out of the cycle of poverty. By engaging in meaningful relationships with their Allies, Circle Leaders and families can break through their isolation and achieve a better quality of life.
Allies are community volunteers who share their experience, time, and energy to help a Circle Leader and their family “figure out” how to get out and stay out of the cycle of poverty. Engaging in meaningful relationships with a family and helping them grow and succeed provides a deep sense of fulfillment while bringing real meaning and quality to life!
Creating a Circle is done by matching a Circle Leader with 3 to 4 Allies. Individuals are matched based on interests and family goals. Circle Leaders gather weekly. Allies attend at least one weekly meeting per month and provide coaching for Circle Leaders.
The Goal is to identify barriers and solutions to help individuals and families move out and stay out of poverty, and to strengthen community! By working with families, Allies can see what barriers keep families stuck. Together we look for and participate in real solutions.