Circles of West Georgia is an innovative, community-driven way to effect poverty. It is different from simply providing assistance to people in poverty. Circles’ mission is to inspire and equip families and communities to thrive and end poverty. There are over 20,000 families living in poverty in Carroll County. This means one in four children here is living in poverty. That number is one in three
children in Haralson and Heard. We can take care of our poor by addressing poverty, shifting from merely service delivery to self-sufficiency and community building . A Circle is a supportive, intentional, reciprocal relationship made up of one Circle Leader, who is a person living in poverty, and two to three Circle Allies, who are volunteers willing to build supportive relationships that help people achieve their goals. Weekly community meetings provide
Circle Leaders and their Allies with educational information, information on positive lifestyle changes, family dynamics, and ways and opportunities for them to offer something back to their community. IS CIRCLES SUCCESSFUL? Circles program participants see life-changing results. Families that stay in Circles 18 months drastically increase their assets and earnings. Initial research showed that for every $1 invested in Circles, $2 in welfare and food stamp subsidies was returned to the state and $4 to the community as new earned income. Circles teaches self-sufficiency as it builds positive behavior and relationships. Circles' success can reach beyond the Circle Leaders and their families. It can address generational poverty as children observe new behaviors and lifestyles. If a family learns a different way to live, this cycle can be broken. This success also can spread to Leaders' friends and other family members. HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED? Circles depends on community support and involvement as it mobilizes volunteers, community leaders and organizations to partner with families in need. You can volunteer to be an Ally, helping Circle Leaders achieve their goals. Please refer people to become Circle Leaders. You can also provide a meal or help with child care at one of the community meetings. Donations can be made through the Community Foundation of West Georgia Web site cfwg.net or by writing a check payable to CFWG-Circles of West Georgia. Mail to CFWG, 807 South Park Street, Carrollton, GA 30117.
