Oftentimes, success in our endeavors is influenced by the people and resources that surround us—our childhood experiences, our circle of friends, others who influence us, and the nature of our habits. When we surround ourselves with positive support through mentorships, education and training, and the right resources, anything is possible. Each connection is a continual source of influence, linkin
g to the other and creating the greatest impact. Our approach combines best practices in several disciplines including community involvement, grassroots leadership, S.M.A.R.T. goal setting, financial literacy, mentoring and coaching, 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 underlying foundation of the Circles® Canada model is to engage people and organizations in the community to end poverty. CIRCLES®
The Goal of Circles
We believe no one should live in poverty. Families and communities can take charge of their destinies. And if given the right tools and support, economic stability can be achieved. Through an approach that combines strategies and services along with the individualized support of our dedicated staff, volunteers and the resources of organizations and communities, we can create an environment that educates, empowers and equips our community members to move up and out of poverty successfully. Circles happens through a high-impact, 18-24 month-long voluntary strategy, designed to:
* Provide practical and emotional support
* Assist with complex issues and solve problems together
* Increase the “social capital” of people living in low-income situations
* Share with the community the very real barriers holding people in poverty
* Walk with people in poverty and support positive changes in their lives
* Put into practice the theories learned in Bridges Out of Poverty and Getting Ahead/Make Your Way
What is Circles? Circles is a community-based program that creates relationships across economic boundaries. It connects people of low-income who have attended the Getting Ahead or Make Your Way program with people of middle and upper-income who have attended a full-day Bridges Out of Poverty workshop, on a weekly basis, in a casual and purposeful way. At each meeting all the Circles members volunteer to enjoy a meal together, connect, share of themselves and learn from each other. Members form long-lasting authentic relationships built on mutual respect and increase the social capital for all involved. Social capital is the networks of relationships among people who live and work in a particular society, enabling that society to function effectively. Circles is a community of people in varying states of economic stability brought together in intentional supportive relationships of reciprocity composed of :
Leaders: an individual or family working to get out of poverty who has completed the Getting Ahead or Make Your Way workshop. Leaders are program participants who provide grassroots feedback about the multiple systemic barriers that keep people stuck in poverty, while building their own resources and moving toward the goal of sustainable employment
Allies: One to four middle class individuals who have completed a Bridges Out of Poverty workshop and are willing to engage in an authentic, intentional friendships built on mutual respect with the Leader (and their family). Circles Coach: The Circles Coach supports Circles Leaders and Allies in fine-tuning personalized action plans. The Circles coach is a paid position that has received specialized training to support and manage the Circles program. Simcoe County Circles Development Network: The Network is a volunteer advisory board that includes people from various economic classes and sectors who are committed to helping the Simcoe County Circles program run successfully. The Network meets quarterly. The County of Simcoe in partnership with the Simcoe County District School Board, was awarded grant money from the Local Poverty Reduction Fund to launch the much awaited Circles® initiative in Simcoe County. The program, which is based out of Midland, Penetanguishene, Tiny and Tay, will help people break the cycle of poverty, find good jobs and become financially self-sufficient. Circles is composed of programs - Bridges Out of Poverty, Getting Ahead or Make Your Way, whose successful participants have the opportunity to transition into a Leader role in Circles. The County of Simcoe in partnership with the Simcoe County District School Board is committed to engaging and supporting willing members of Simcoe County to participate in the Circles Canada initiative and will be offering continuous Bridges Out of Poverty and Getting Ahead/Make Your Way workshops to make sure that the Circles initiative is able to thrive.
