CUSA Salutes the Power of Intentional Friendships | International Friendship Day 2025
- Circles USA
- Aug 3
- 3 min read
This International Friendship Day, Circles USA salutes the true backbone of our movement: the close-knit relationships of Circle Leaders and their Allies everywhere. The “dynamic duos” (and trios, and chapters!) of Circles, these members who form time-tested, intentional bonds have always driven our poverty alleviation work. Today we’re proud to showcase some All-Star friends who have come together to face tough obstacles, grow their social capital, and build community to end poverty in our lifetime.
“Relationships have blossomed into friendships—with boundaries.”
In this seminal 2022 post, we outline the major tenets of social capital (bonding, bridging, and linking) and discuss how Circles USA is helping Circle Leaders and Allies create wealth in the form of intentional friendships.
“She is a bright spot in my life. Evalee is so upbeat. So kind and loving, so generous.”
Circles USA talks with Evalee and Mary Anne, two tight-knit friends from North Carolina who are building social capital and long-term financial stability to change their lives, their chapter, and their community for the better.
“[Mary Anne] is a great friend. I wouldn’t trade her for the world.”
“Social capital is the safety net. It’s the community we create around one another and the key to removing the systemic barriers keeping people in poverty.”
Circles Chief Learning Officer Kris Alexander reflects on the huge difference a robust social support network has made in her life…especially during times of crisis and upheaval.
“They’ve become more than just Allies to us. They have become friends and mentors that hold a very special place in our hearts. It was amazing that people we barely knew were willing to go the extra mile for our family.”
Caitlin and Capri, married Circle Leaders at Circles Sauk Prairie, WI, both come from families experiencing generational poverty. Like many people raised without financial literacy tools, they felt permanently stuck in survival mode. But when they joined Circles USA, Caitlin and Capri began to break that cycle—rewriting harmful narratives about money and building thriving futures through the power of intentional friendships.
“That’s how social capital and grassroots organizing goes: sharing our lives, our relationships, and our heart-centered purpose.”
Bread for the World Advocacy Summit, Pt. 2: Partnerships and Coalition Building for Effective Change
In this two-parter, Executive Director Kamatara Johnson connects her recent trip to a Washington, DC event with a major life shift: two adventures made richer by the company of supportive, like-minded partners and friends old and new.
“[With] the addition of new relationships within our Circle, our power grows too.”
National Coach Addie Hartnett joins The Big View pod to discuss how intentional friendships—ones grounded in trust, reciprocity, and long-term commitment—can radically shift the way we approach systems change.
“Circles changed me as a person in a way that made me more comfortable with myself…and knowing that there’s help out there, and that it’s okay to ask.”
When hard-working single parent Yakilin stepped out of her comfort zone and joined Circles USA, she built bonds that empowered her to reach out in times of need—giving and receiving support within a caring, non-judgmental community. This is Yakilin’s story of building life-changing friendships, in her own words and through the eyes of her Ally.
Click the Give to Circles button and help us celebrate 25+ years of building community to end poverty!
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