In this monthly blog series, Circles USA Chief Learning Officer Kris Alexander shares insights on her learning journey, sources of inspiration, and what excites her about her work. The column offers a behind-the-scenes perspective on the learning curve that drives growth and progress at CUSA as we continually deepen and enhance our mission of building community to end poverty. Let’s talk about budgeting! I know, it’s probably your favorite topic, right? *Note: This is not a paid endorsement and Circles USA has no affiliate relationship with YNAB. A lot of times, middle- and upper-income individuals believe that people in poverty are just bad at budgeting. I often hear things like, “If they just set and kept to a budget, they would be able to…X”. Get out of poverty, go to school, get a better job, afford basic needs, etc. This myth is one that Circles USA immediately works to bust. Not only does research and data show this isn’t accurate; but the time I’ve spent with people in poverty has created, for me, a deeper understanding of their reality… and their brilliance. When I was experiencing poverty myself, I knew down to the penny how much money I had at any given moment. I knew where my money needed to go, when my bills were due, how much they were, and how much I needed to miraculously find to keep my son and me afloat for just a few more days or weeks. And because I didn’t have the time to maintain a formal budget while working several jobs and raising a child as a single mom, it was all in my head. (How, 24-year-old Kris, how?) As my financial situation has improved, I have less of a handle on my day-to-day finances. Even though I now use a budgeting tool, I rarely know exactly how much our bills are or when we pay them through autopay. I simply categorize them when they come through. If you asked me how much money I have at this moment, I could give you an approximation; but if you needed an exact amount without my budgeting app, we would both be out of luck. I say all of this to emphasize that budgeting is not the solution to poverty. The reality is that no amount of budgeting will solve a lack of resources. If I am budgeting with not enough, the budget will never make it enough. Budgeting is a tool that can support personal discernment while decreasing shame, but only if it is used with compassion and openness rather than being wielded as evidence of failure. The budgeting tool we use in my household is YNAB (You Need a Budget.) I am low-key obsessed. Not only do I use the app, I have also watched a ton of their videos and gone to their Q&As. And I recently read the book You Need a Budget by Jesse Mecham, the founder and developer of YNAB*. The YNAB method focuses on personal financial priorities. Instead of telling you where your money “should” be going, Jesse explains that everyone’s money is personal to them, and we get to decide what we spend our money on. Money is a tool to live our best lives. With this in mind, he recommends that you budget for your priorities. When the money is available and you’ve met your financial commitments, you can spend your money without financial guilt. If collecting Funko Pops! figurines is your jam, do it! Love expensive vacations? I love that journey for you! Want to save for a cushy retirement? Great! There are no inherently “right” or “wrong” ways to spend money, but it is important to understand your priorities and then set up a budget that allows you to work towards them. There are four rules of budgeting according to YNAB: Give every dollar a job. Instead of leaving nebulous funds just hanging out unaccounted-for in your budget, calling you to the endcap of your favorite store, put that money somewhere in alignment with your priorities. That way, you’ll be reminded of your goals when you want to buy that new gadget that you didn’t know existed 5 minutes ago but now can’t live without. Embrace your true expenses. We tend to budget assuming that we will suddenly be a whole different person. For example, I stop for coffee three times a week, but I definitely don’t need to budget that because I just won’t do it anymore! (Ha!) Just put the reality of your current financial landscape in your budget; you can always change your habits later. In fact, having a clear picture of where your money goes actually makes it easier to shift your behaviors to align with your priorities. Roll with the punches. Another pitfall of budgeting is being too rigid with little wiggle room. As soon as something unexpected happens, from the trivial to the serious (like a fourth stop for coffee or the HVAC system dying in August), the whole budget goes flying out the window. We give up. Our budget has to be as flexible as life is unexpected. If we have a budget that is flexible, we can move money around to accommodate those “oh no!” moments. Perhaps the latest Funko Pop! you’ve been eyeing needs to wait another month, but you’ll be able to replace all four tires after you accidentally drove through a construction site… without having to eat ramen until your next paycheck. Age your money. This was my biggest “a-ha!” when I started. Saving is this big important thing that everyone talks about and says we need. But for me, trying to put money into a random account that I don’t touch was not working. Instead, YNAB focuses on getting a month ahead. When all your expenses are covered for August and you have extra money, put it towards September’s budget. Then, in September, when you need less of your new paycheck for utilities, more can go to October’s bills. Eventually you are no longer living paycheck-to-paycheck, but have funded your entire next month before it even starts! Now that is something I can get behind. These rules won’t solve poverty. They do however, shift budgeting away from a punitive experience, and from trying to stretch non-existent resources to fill real needs. Instead, budgeting becomes a values-based activity focused on flexibility, priorities, and real data. It allows anyone (and everyone) to dream about the future and focus on what their money can do for them, rather than nagging at all of the ways that they are falling short with their finances. All of this is to say, I absolutely recommend the book You Need a Budget, and I also suggest using the YNAB app, especially if your finances are more “just vibes” and less personal values and priorities. You Need a Budget (the budgeting tool, book, and/or system) is one personal tool I have found that increases discernment and decreases shame, a foundational teaching of The Trauma of Money InstituteTM. Again, though, YNAB won’t solve the systemic issues that create a lack of resources in the first place, and it absolutely doesn’t replace community. Financial literacy is not the answer to poverty. We need systemic changes led by those who are experiencing the challenges of poverty, and we need to build and activate our communities. Circles USA does this. We build community around people experiencing poverty first. Community support and social capital are the number one tool that people need to leave poverty behind. Once a transformational community is established, we can then educate individuals and families about the systemic barriers that are keeping them in their current situation. Finally, with that support and understanding, we can change the systems themselves through our Big View work. Now, we need to talk about scarcity and shame… but let’s save that for next month. Read more from Kris on her monthly Circles USA blog, The Learning Curve Chronicles: Cultivating Intentional Friendships Proud to Belong Belonging Without Knowing Dignity-First Language Responsibility Bootstraps, Benefits, and Wealth Building Choosing Community in a Consumer Culture Dedicated The Power of Community Tiny Privileges Introducing Camp Kaleidoscope The Healing Power of Social Capital Healing the System, Healing Myself The Serviceberry as a Blueprint for Community Embracing the Both/And The Science of Relationships Youth, Varying Exceptionalities, & Poverty

Each year, Circles USA celebrates the United Nations’ International Youth Day on August 12 “to recognize efforts of the world’s youth in enhancing global society,” and “to promote ways to engage them in becoming more actively involved in making positive contributions to their communities.” Circles knows that building community to end poverty starts with uplifting the people who feel the effects of poverty most keenly: children and youths. For this reason, we honor CUSA youth year-round by drawing attention to the growing economic obstacles their families face. And the economic news is sobering: September 2025’s U.S. Census Bureau report (our most up-to-date source) revealed that 13.4% of children, or roughly 10 million kids, live in households with incomes below the federal poverty line. The official poverty rate for children under 18 is 14.3%, excluding government benefits. [Source] Despite the challenges of navigating poverty, Circles youth continue to light the way for our chapters with hope, joy, resiliency, and creative flair. For International Youth Day 2026, we gave young artists in CUSA chapters nationwide a simple prompt: Draw yourself at Circles, or how Circles makes you feel. The photos and artworks sent back by children in our NWA, Hastings, and Davis County chapters (gallery below) made us laugh, think, and remember why we work alongside families striving to escape poverty. From the Circles USA family (including our kiddos) to yours…happy International Youth Day 2026! 📬 Sign up to receive our newsletter! Stay informed of important issues affecting those experiencing poverty, new programs offered by Circles USA, and ways you can be part of beginning the end of poverty. Building Community to End Poverty in 25 States Make an impact across the nation with a gift to Circles USA.

At Circles, we know that leadership is more than a natural talent or a paid professional role. It’s the cumulative process of weaving each setback and success we meet into a consistent, goal-focused practice that benefits the whole collective. The more deeply we root our identity in service to our families, chapters, and communities, the more we distinguish ourselves as leaders within these groups striving to move from surviving to thriving. Circles USA’s new Leadership Development Spotlight series spotlights graduated Circle Leaders who have stepped into challenging service roles at the chapter, regional, and even national levels. Among the most skilled, dedicated participants in the Circles network, these big-L Leaders’ stories offer insights and hard-won lessons guaranteed to inspire us all in our shared mission of building community to end poverty. Brianna Horseman Hi! Please share your name, where you’re based, and your past and current roles with Circles. My name is Brianna Horseman. I was a Circle Leader [with Circles Scott County, Georgetown, KY] and graduated on April 21, 2026. I am currently a Resource Team Member serving in the following areas: Pre-Circles Co-Facilitator, Circle Leader Training Co-Facilitator, Circle Leader Support Facilitator (Sub), and Orientation Co-Presenter. I will also be speaking at our Annual Celebration Fundraiser. Brianna, how did you become involved with Circles? I learned about the Circles program after getting assistance through Transform Scott County’s “Blessing Bridge” program. [Poverty Alleviation Coordinator] Jennifer Lay told me all about the program and I was very excited to join. What have you learned in your time with Circles, and how has your relationship with your Circles community changed your perspectives on poverty? I have been part of the Circles program for over two years now. During this time, I have learned about so many things. I have learned about emotional spending, taking care of finances, different types of bank accounts, going back to school, resources in the community, and so much more. My biggest takeaway from this program has been the relationships I have built. When I first came to this program, I did not trust anyone; I was very closed off. Now I have opened my heart up to those around me and consider my Circles community as my family. I used to view poverty simply as “people who struggled financially and lived off government assistance.” What I have learned is that, many times, people who live in poverty have not been taught what some would consider basic life skills. With that, there is also the benefits cliff. People who receive government assistance will try to better their lives, but are fearful of what happens when they lose their assistance. I have also learned that a significant amount of people who live in poverty lack a support system. Their social capital is minimal. Without being taught basic life skills—and having no way of gaining the awareness that you lack those life skills—you are essentially chasing your tail. That is what makes Circles so incredible to me. Not only are you taught life skills, but you also gain significant social capital. You have people in your life who will point out to you that there are opportunities or resources that can make navigating situations in your life manageable. You gain people in your life who understand and support you, which is huge if you haven’t had that. When I first came to this program, I did not trust anyone; I was very closed off. Now I have opened my heart up to those around me and consider my Circles community as my family. What were your goals when you started out as a Circle Leader, and how have they evolved in your time with Circles? My goals were to become financially stable and move out of public housing. That was May of 2024, and I moved out of public housing in October 2024. My husband and I own our home and we are [now] able to effectively manage our finances without going into debt. Once I moved out of public housing and found a money management system that worked for me, I began working toward more personal goals. So I am currently enrolled at Eastern Kentucky University, getting my bachelors degree in Business Management. I will be graduating in 2027. I have also focused more on my business, Timeless Grace Co & Photography LLC, which became official in March 2026; and I have opened a studio in Lawrenceburg, KY. Other than that, my goals have been to save money, travel with my family, and better my mental and physical health. I would say those goals have remained the same throughout my time with Circles and they will continue to be high priorities for me. What would you say to a newer staff member, volunteer, or Ally who is doubting themselves, or their ability to help their Circle Leader(s) move out of poverty? I would say to take a step back, take a deep breath, and pray for guidance. I would also say that when you try to take on the responsibility of helping someone move out of poverty, you may be putting too much pressure on yourself. The biggest part of being an Ally [or volunteer] is serving as a source of support and guidance. You can't make anyone change; they must want it for themselves. All you can do is offer love, support, and compassion. Read the other installments in our Leadership Development Spotlight series: Cody Martenesen: Circle Leader to Chapter Coordinator | Circles Utah and Heber Valley Sarah Haworth: Circle Leader to Executive Director | Circles Reno County Susan D Richards: Circle Leader to Board Chair | Circles Ashland Cheyenne Hurt: Circle Leader to Member Care Coach/Interim Director | Circles Indianapolis Rebecca Price: Circle Leader to Coach | Circles Davis County Leadership Development Spotlight: ALLIES AND VOLUNTEERS! Michelle Crawford: Volunteer to Executive Director | Circles Salt Lake Oscar Martinez: Super Volunteer | Circles of the Coastal Bend Building Community to End Poverty in 25 States Make an impact across the nation with a gift to Circles USA.

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The Big View: Ending Poverty in Your Community | Season 1 Episode 5: Placement In this episode, Kamatara and Yvette dig into the fourth stage to prosperity, Placement. During this stage, individuals bring their newly gained skills and confidence into a workplace and community where they can have an impact, experiencing rich mutual reciprocity and a deep sense of belonging. The Big View S1E5: Placement Circles USA 00:00 / 15:10 Download Transcript

In Part 2 of our conversation with Meenadchi (she/her), somatic healing practitioner and author of Decolonizing Non-Violent Communication, we continue exploring the role of empathic intelligence—this time focusing on its importance in navigating trauma, poverty, systems change, and conflict. Together, we dive into some passages from Decolonizing Non-Violent Communication to reflect on how empathy lives in our bodies, relationships, and communities. We explore how empathic intelligence helps us The Big View: Ending Poverty in Your Community | Season 2 Season 2 Episode 6: Empathic Intelligence (Pt.2) In Part 2 of our conversation with Meenadchi (she/her), somatic healing practitioner and author of Decolonizing Non-Violent Communication , we continue exploring the role of empathic intelligence—this time focusing on its importance in navigating trauma, poverty, systems change, and conflict. Together, we dive into some passages from Decolonizing Non-Violent Communication to reflect on how empathy lives in our bodies, relationships, and communities. We explore how empathic intelligence helps us stay grounded in our own experience while remaining open to others, especially in high-stakes or emotionally charged situations. We talk about what it means to listen beyond words, how to honor boundaries while staying connected, and the role of nervous system regulation in truly showing up for one another. Meenadchi shares practical tools and deep wisdom for anyone looking to lead with compassion without bypassing conflict or complexity. This episode invites us to rethink how we relate: not just to each other, but to ourselves, to systems, and to the possibility of collective healing. The Big View S2E6: Empathic Intelligence (Pt.2) Circles USA 00:00 / 38:44 Download Transcript About the Guest Show Notes About the Guest About the Guest Meenadchi (she/her) is a healing practitioner, TEDx speaker, and the author of Decolonizing Non-Violent Communication, a widely respected guide that reinterprets traditional NVC through a decolonial, trauma-informed, and body-centered lens. With a background in clinical mental health and a commitment to ancestral healing, Meenadchi brings over a decade of facilitation experience to spaces that seek to center collective care, relational integrity, and embodied communication. Show Notes Meenadchi’s work has supported thousands of people across diverse communities, including BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and system-impacted groups, as well as educators, therapists, and nonprofit leaders. Her signature facilitation style integrates somatic awareness, values-based inquiry, and ancestral technologies to support deep transformation. Her work guides learners to move beyond scripted language into communication that honors dignity, integrity, and interdependence. Show Notes Mentioned in This Episode Decolonizing Non-Violent Communication by Meenadchi Kazu Haga - Empathizing with oppressors Social Change Ecosystem Map - Deepa Iyer Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life by Marshall Rosenberg