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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. I recently completed The Prosperity Agenda ’s Family-Centered Coaching Cohort Intensive Training . I had the opportunity to attend because of the partnership being developed and solidified between Circles USA and The Prosperity Agenda—and I am so grateful for it. This training is designed primarily for case managers and social workers supporting low-income individuals and families as they move out of crisis, through stability, and ultimately leave poverty behind for good. Circles USA's Pathway to Thriving Dr. Philena DeVaughn It was an excellent training; I learned so much from the facilitator, Dr. Philena DeVaughn , who brought a wealth of knowledge and was truly one of the best facilitators I’ve ever had the pleasure of learning from. But there was something deeper going on—and that’s what I want to share with you today. I witnessed others in the training experience profound “aha moments” about how they interact with their clients and participants. This training offers tools for a major mindset shift: from telling people in poverty what they need to do, to truly listening and working together to find solutions that fit the individual or family. It shifts the dynamic from the case manager being in the driver's seat to recognizing that the person receiving support is the expert in their own life. They have the tools and ability to make decisions and find solutions for themselves. The three driving values of Family-Centered Coaching are: every individual is creative , capable , and resourceful . The FCC Approach: Every individual is creative, capable, and resourceful. Imagine if we viewed every person we encountered through that lens. What a difference that would make. The truth is, everyone needs help sometimes. As I always seem to return to in these blog posts, interdependence is the key to healthy people . Circles USA’s work is building community to end poverty, because we recognize that community  is the primary ingredient for upward mobility—and imperative for leaving poverty behind permanently. Honestly, it also felt like seven weeks of healing for me. In my twenties, I experienced poverty as a single mother doing her best to make ends meet. Back then, the idea that low-income individuals were creative, capable, and resourceful was not something widely assumed in the benefits systems or nonprofits I encountered. I remember feeling so alone and hopeless while navigating systems like WIC, Food Stamps (now SNAP), housing assistance, TANF, food banks, Medicaid, and more. In fact, I often gave up before I got the help I needed. The systems were so difficult and degrading to navigate that I decided it was easier to go without. Falling off the cliff I was also running into what we now call the benefits cliff —though I didn’t know it had a name. I had to make hard decisions all the time: Do I take a higher-paying job and lose the benefits that help me survive and care for my son, or do I stay in a lower-paying one to keep the support I desperately need? Whenever I tried to talk about this with case managers, the response was often some version of, “If you really cared and wanted to change your situation, you’d figure it out. This is a you problem, not a system problem.” That mindset was so pervasive that nearly 20 years later, when I started working for Circles USA and watched our video about the benefits cliff , I burst into tears. I felt so validated. Not only does it have a name, but people see  the problem—and are working on solving it. My son and I in 2009 So to spend time with a group of incredible people—people who work  in these programs and systems, who recognize the problems, who want  to help, and who are learning how to put individuals and families back in the driver’s seat—was a healing balm for the young mother I used to be. The one who was just trying to survive and navigate a difficult and lonely world. I am over the moon about the Circles-Prosperity Agenda partnership . It feels like a match made in heaven. Attending the training has given me tools and resources I’m excited to integrate into our upcoming Ally Training update —one of my top priorities for 2025. And The Prosperity Agenda’s commitment to bringing Circles into their Family-Centered Coaching centers adds an additional layer of support for families and individuals already being served with this new mindset. T o spend time with a group of incredible people—people who work  in these programs and systems, who recognize the problems, who want  to help, and who are learning how to put individuals and families back in the driver’s seat—was a healing balm for the young mother I used to be. Transformation and healing This experience reminded me that transformation is not only possible—it’s already happening. The partnership between Circles USA and The Prosperity Agenda is not just about shared goals; it’s about shared humanity. We are co-creating a future where dignity, agency, and compassion lead the way. I’m grateful to be part of this movement, to witness the healing that occurs when we truly listen, and to know that the systems that once failed so many of us are being reimagined by those who care deeply and dare to do better. There’s so much good work ahead—and we’re doing it, together. Read more from Kris on her monthly Circles USA blog, The Learning Curve Chronicles : The Serviceberry as a Blueprint for Community Embracing the Both/And The Science of Relationships Youth, Varying Exceptionalities, & Poverty Click the   Give to Circles button  and help us celebrate 25+ years of building community to end poverty!

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. The Foundation of Circles The heart of the Circles model is relationships . We are building community to end poverty, and the science backs us up. You might be thinking, "Of course it does, Kris! You have tons of data  proving that strong, positive relationships help break the cycle of poverty." And you’d be right. Our research consistently shows that poverty is rooted in isolation and oppression; and the more we build truly equitable, diverse communities, the more we reduce poverty. But today, I want to go deeper—not just into data, but into the very nature of relationships themselves. To do that, we need to talk about science, history, and a major shift in how we see the world. From Mythological to Mechanistic and Beyond: A Shift in Worldview Humanity has long sought to explain the world around us. Long ago, the mythological worldview was the primary way we understood the world. It explained natural phenomena as the will of gods or deities. For example, thunderstorms weren’t caused by atmospheric pressure and electrical charges, but by Zeus hurling thunderbolts in anger. The changing of the seasons wasn’t determined by the Earth’s tilt and orbit, but by Maui, the Polynesian demigod, who lassoed the Sun to slow its movement. A rainbow wasn’t light refracting through water to create a spectrum of colors but as God’s promise to humanity never to destroy the world again. These stories provided clarity and purpose in a chaotic world—and, for many people, still do . 🌈 Then, a shift began in the 16th century with Copernicus, who proposed that the Earth orbits the Sun. This idea sparked discoveries from Galileo, Kepler, and Newton, leading to the Mechanistic worldview—that the universe is governed by predictable laws rather than divine will. This new paradigm ushered in the industrial revolution, which we can thank for many of today’s technological advancements and conveniences. It is the primary worldview upon which America is founded and operates: understanding the universe as a machine made of separate, independent parts that can be manipulated without disturbing the whole. Now, a new perspective is emerging in the Western world: the quantum worldview. Quantum sociology challenges the mechanistic view by emphasizing that everything is interconnected, something that many Indigenous and non-Western cultures have known for centuries. This worldview suggests that relationships, not isolated parts, are key to understanding both the universe and our lives. It tells us that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts and that everything—from particles to people—is interdependent. By integrating scientific knowledge with spiritual understanding and lived experience, this worldview offers a holistic perspective of the world and our place in it. The Power of Interconnected Systems Let’s think about the human body. Much of Western medicine treats symptoms in isolation—if you have a headache, you take medicine for your head, because we use logic to observe, discover, and then "fix" the problem. But anyone with a chronic illness knows that we can't look at the parts of the body individually. Pain in the head can originate in the gut, be an indicator of stress levels, dehydration, or even bad posture. The body isn’t a machine with separate, independent parts; it’s an interconnected system. Treating the whole person, rather than isolated symptoms, leads to better health. Or consider the planet. The mechanistic view suggests that we can exploit one part of the Earth without affecting the rest. But we now know that’s not true. In 2017, a plastic bag was found in the Mariana Trench —36,000 feet below sea level, deeper than Mount Everest is tall. When the Fukushima disaster occurred in 2011, radiation spread across the entire Northern Hemisphere. And without the Sahara Desert, the Amazon Rainforest wouldn’t survive , because dust from that (what we previously considered) barren wasteland provides critical nutrients.  Mycologist (aka mushroom scientist) Paul Stamets expresses this concept in his studies: "I see the mycelium as the Earth’s natural Internet, a consciousness with which we might be able to communicate. ...What a beautiful inspirational model for how human beings might live: In a shared economy based not on greed but on nurturing relationships and mutual cooperation." The Earth, like the human body, is defined by its relationships.  The Myth of the “Self-Made” Person Yet, our culture still clings to an outdated, individualistic ideal: the self-made person. We love stories of people who “pulled themselves up by their bootstraps” and “overcame the odds.” But no one is truly self-made . None of us independently built the roads we drive on, wired the electricity in our homes, or invented the languages we speak. Every success story is actually a story of relationships—mentors, teachers, family, community, society, history. At Circles USA’s VIT ( Virtual Immersion Training  for new Circles Staff across the nation), we play Social Capital Bingo—one of my favorite activities. The Bingo card is filled with tasks others might do for us, like recommending a great restaurant, watching our kids or pets in a pinch, or giving us a ride if our car breaks down. The twist? You can only cover a space if you actually have someone in your life who could do that for you. The first time I played, I had just moved "home" to the mountains of North Carolina, where I have built-in friends and family. I had two key realizations: first, I am incredibly blessed with a strong support network; and second, my struggles in California and Virginia were, in large part, due to not having the same level of social capital. During a recent VIT session, a participant had a powerful insight after playing. She said, "I always talk about being a single mother who has to do everything myself, but this showed me that I actually have a lot of support in my life." What a beautiful realization to witness.  Circles and the Quantum Model: Relationships as the Solution So there you have it. Circles isn’t just addressing poverty within the current American paradigm of individualism—we are integrating the wisdom of a new scientific understanding that validates what some cultures have known for generations. A quantum perspective reveals the interconnectedness of the Universe, uniting seemingly disparate ideas, beliefs, perspectives, and people . The quantum model shows us that relationships don’t just enhance our lives—they define them. When we build intentional, diverse communities, we become more than we ever could alone . Every person is necessary, and the strength of our society depends on uplifting everyone. The transformation we see in Circles isn’t just about individuals overcoming poverty; it’s about an entire network—Circle Leaders, Allies, volunteers, and staff—growing stronger together. We aren’t solving poverty by building a person’s independence (bootstraps only) or by solidifying their dependence (reliance on the benefits system as sole support), but through interdependence . As a Circle Leader’s situation improves, so does their entire community. This is the power of relationships: not just a tool for change, but the very foundation of it. When we embrace this truth—that relationships are the key to transformation—we step into a new paradigm, one that sees the world not as a machine, but as a web of connection where every thread matters. And that is how we end poverty: together . Read more from Kris on our blog: The Learning Curve Chronicles: Youth, Varying Exceptionalities, & Poverty Introducing our new Chief Learning Officer, Kris Alexander

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. Equity and Circles When Circles USA declares “We’re building community to end poverty and bringing people together across lines of difference,” this is what we mean: Circles works to create the conditions of safety for people with differing perspectives and ideas to be in community together . In doing so, we can begin to experience the deep sense of belonging necessary for us to come together and recognize each other’s humanity. This opens the door to a wide spectrum of perspectives and opinions; because we know that no single person, group, or idea holds all the answers—rather, we each hold a piece of the answer. Not to get too rose-colored-glasses, but we really are each a thread in the tapestry, a strand in the web, a pane in the stained glass of life. This is why Circles focuses on community , intentional friendships , social capital , and building relationships . It’s not about what we each believe individually—it’s about what we can create together. And in this way, we’re building a society where poverty is nothing more than a story in a history book. Let’s face it: Either/or thinking is hardwired into humanity. Our brains evolved to quickly judge and categorize as a survival skill. This ability is crucial in moments where we need to quickly assess whether we're safe or not; however there are times when a different approach is required. Letting go of this instinctive way of thinking is challenging—we’re up against societal conditioning and our own biology. It takes intentional rewiring of our brains, discomfort, and courageous, vulnerable conversations. But the reward—closer, more diverse, equitable, and thriving communities—is absolutely worth the effort. Robert Jones, Jr. creator of Son of Baldwin When we bring this survival mechanism into situations that aren’t a matter of life and death, we start to perceive threats in differing ideas, perspectives, and opinions. Let me be clear—when I mention differing opinions, I’m not referring to human rights. Circles maintains our position of valuing and respecting every individual, and we are dedicated to eradicating poverty for all . People deserve dignity, respect, and the right to life simply because they are human. I think Robert Jones, Jr. said it best, “We can disagree and still love each other unless your disagreement is rooted in my oppression and denial of my humanity and right to exist.”  Instead, what I’m discussing are topics like how to solve poverty in our nation, the role of government, or making healthcare accessible and affordable. These topics are nuanced and complex, yet society has historically approached them from an either/or perspective. As a result, we often forget the big picture, swing back and forth between one solution or another depending on short term leadership, and fail to make real progress in creating a society where human rights are prioritized for all. Ella Miron-Spektor So, what’s the alternative to either/or? Both/and thinking. Sometimes called a paradox mindset, this transformational idea is exactly what we need at this pivotal moment. Ella Miron-Spektor, a professor of Organizational Behavior and a leading paradox researcher, describes it as “embracing and managing contradictory yet interrelated demands, shifting from an "either/or" mentality to a "both/and" approach. This perspective acknowledges that competing demands are often unavoidable and interwoven, and instead of choosing between them, it encourages finding ways to balance and integrate them over time.  MC Escher "Drawing Hands" Adopting a paradox mindset can lead to increased creativity, adaptability, and improved problem-solving abilities, as it allows individuals and organizations to navigate complex and dynamic environments more effectively. Let’s look at a somewhat silly example: Do marshmallows belong in hot chocolate? There’s no definitive answer. You may have a strong opinion on the matter, but at the end of the day, it is just your opinion and not a fact. There are countless reasons someone might prefer marshmallows—or not—from personal taste and cultural background to experiences, family opinions, dietary restrictions, type of marshmallows, and more.  This seemingly-simple question about marshmallows is surprisingly complex, filled with a variety of ideas, opinions, beliefs, and preferences, but no clear-cut answer. I don’t bring up this lighthearted issue to minimize the major challenges we are facing today, but rather to highlight our use of both/and thinking in everyday life, and how very few things, even something as simple as marshmallows, are as black and white as they appear on the surface. When we begin to examine more complex social issues, we notice how politics and the constant push to “pick a side” have fueled either/or thinking, when what we really need is the broader both/and mindset. If we shift back from the idea of “sides” and pay attention, we begin to notice that there are many meaningful contributions and nuanced perspectives to consider. This is because the challenging issues we face today don’t have one simple right answer. Instead, they require a variety of perspectives, ideas, and new ways of being. Take poverty as an example. Folks with conservative leanings often support the “bootstraps” approach—believing individuals should pull themselves up and improve their own lives. People with more liberal views tend to focus on the "benefits" approach, where society takes responsibility for providing support and resources to ensure everyone has access to basic needs. So, which is right? The answer is both/and. The bootstraps mindset offers personal autonomy, choice, and self-confidence. The benefits mindset ensures a safety net, upholds human dignity, and prioritizes equity. But both also have their pitfalls: Bootstraps on its own can perpetuate inequality and lead to individual burnout and overwhelm, while benefits alone can foster dependency, fear of scarcity, and a sense of being stuck. Neither approach, on its own, will eradicate poverty—and, in fact, either in isolation will make the issue worse over time. We see this with the shifting of political administrations over the decades. Despite both conservative and liberal administrations in the last 50 years, no lasting, significant strides have been made toward poverty eradication. This is the pendulum swing that occurs when we rely on either/or thinking to solve complex problems. What results from embracing the both/and is something entirely new and exponentially greater than its parts. It’s not just an inhale or exhale, but the act of breathing. It’s not marshmallows or no marshmallows, but a whole new drink altogether. Circles of Grant County calls this third way "barnraising." We also sometimes refer to it as interdependence. In a barnraising, everyone comes together for the good of an individual because there is a deep understanding that a society’s humanity is directly correlated to its ability to support its most marginalized community members. True interdependence isn’t about relying on someone else to do all the work for you or  only trusting yourself—it’s the recognition that we are all in this together, with our varied skills, limitations, and lived experiences. People are exponentially stronger in community than we are alone, and equity is what unlocks the full potential of society. Equity ensures that everyone has access to what they need to contribute meaningfully, recognizing the unique gifts, opportunities, and resources of each person. In a barnraising, there is a place for all—whether it’s building the barn, designing the structure, caring for the children, making the food, ensuring safety, or planning the event. For this model to work, we must acknowledge that not everyone has had the same opportunities, resources, or privileges. A truly interdependent and just society makes space for these differences, not by erasing them, but by valuing each person’s contributions and ensuring they have what they need to fully participate. In last month’s Learning Curve Chronicles ,  I discussed relationships as imperative and reminded us that there’s no such thing as a self-made individual. We all create society together—from the roads we drive on to the ideas we hold. Whether we like it or not, we are called to interdependence by the very nature of being human in North America. And when interdependence is rooted in equity, we move beyond survival and into true collective thriving. Read more from Kris on her monthly Circles USA blog, The Learning Curve Chronicles : The Science of Relationships Youth, Varying Exceptionalities, & Poverty

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. I recently finished reading The Serviceberry: An Economy of Abundance  and deeply appreciated Robin Wall Kimmerer’s view of the world and what is possible. It really made me think about Circles USA and our commitment to ending poverty through community building. Our “thing”, if you will, is social capital , and throughout her book, Kimmerer discusses the importance of relationships, reciprocity, and abundance at the heart of a thriving gift economy. That sounds a lot like social capital to me. According to Kimmerer, the root of capitalism, the current economy of North America and much of the world today, is the belief in scarcity—the idea that there is never enough—so we must compete, accumulate, and control resources to secure our survival. It views everyone as a consumer and asks all of us to take more than we give, constantly trying to get the best deal in a transactional world . It is clear by the amount of challenges we are facing today in the world, including inflation, stagnating wages, mega-corporations, depletion of natural resources, and the amount of people struggling to make ends meet ( around 73% of the population in the United States ), that a mindset of scarcity is not sustainable. Robin Wall Kimmerer Kimmerer (an enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation who, according to Brittanica , “has worked to bring Indigenous knowledge and Western scientific ways of understanding nature into conversation”) invites us to look at the natural world for an alternative. Biomimicry–the art of designing solutions on the natural world–has long been studied as a way to thrive in all areas of life. Examples of biomimicry include velcro being inspired by burdock burrs, bullet trains inspired by the kingfisher, and even energy-efficient buildings inspired by termite mounds. So what can we learn from nature about social capital and gift economies? Nature has spent billions of years perfecting its designs—when we pay attention, we find solutions that are sustainable, efficient, and in harmony with life. Kimmerer reflects on how serviceberries, which ripen in abundance and are freely shared by birds, animals, and humans alike, embody a different kind of wealth—one based not on accumulation but on relationships. She discusses how the serviceberry has evolved based on these mutually beneficial relationships, with no evolutionary purpose for the sweet, delicious berries that ripen and hold seeds outside of being irresistible to the birds and animals who will eat them and spread more serviceberry plants wide and far. In fact, moving through the digestive system of a bird actually supports the seed in sprouting, making it more likely for a new tree to grow where it was “deposited”.  Tying natural themes to economic ones, she reports, “Anthropologists characterize gift economies as systems of exchange in which goods and services circulate without explicit expectations of direct compensation. Those who have give to those who don’t so that everyone in the system has what they need. It is not regulated from above but derives from a collective sense of equity and accountability in response to the gifts of the Earth.” Circles Johnson County Once again, we witness that it is relationships  at the heart of, well, everything. Circles USA’s mindset—rooted in intentional friendships, centering those most impacted, building social capital, and fostering flourishing communities—was designed to embody a form of gift economy. Everyone involved in Circles participates in a reciprocal, multidirectional exchange of giving and receiving. Circle Leaders are not only supported by their Allies as they work to transform their lives, but they also contribute richly to the Circles community. Likewise, Allies are not just giving; they are also receiving, growing, and being transformed through their relationships. It is mutual. Circles Orlando For example, research shows  that low-income families are often more generous and empathetic than middle and upper income people. They also tend to have an easier time making friends and naturally building community. This is something that middle- and upper-income Allies and volunteers learn from their Circle Leaders, which positively impacts their lives. As one Ally says, “[My Circle Leader] works very hard at reaching out to me and showing appreciation. She does a great job of accepting everyone.” Another Ally remarked, “Circles has expanded my circle of friends and relationships with people I never would have met if not for Circles. They have all supported me in one way or another just by accepting me as their friend.” This is just one small example, but it is indicative of a much larger framework. When I have the opportunity to visit a Circles Chapter, I always observe how everyone comes together for the success of the whole, with no concerns about who is bringing more or less to the chapter. Everyone brings their unique gifts and talents. The Serviceberry  quickly gained a place on my most loved books shelf, and Kimmerer’s clear insights of what is possible in community is obviously mirrored in our Circles Chapters that meet weekly all across North America. I would like to leave you with Kimmerer’s vision of the world, one that is clearly in alignment with Circles’ vision– all individuals live in equitable, thriving communities where poverty no longer exists:  I cherish the notion of the gift economy, that we might back away from the grinding market economy that reduces everything to a commodity and leaves most of us bereft of what we really want: relationship and purpose and beauty and meaning, which can never be commoditized. I want to be part of a system in which wealth means having enough to share, and where the gratification of meeting your family needs is not poisoned by destroying that possibility for someone else. I want to live in a society where the currency of exchange is gratitude and the infinitely renewable resource of kindness, which multiplies every time it is shared rather than depreciating with use. Read more from Kris on her monthly Circles USA blog, The Learning Curve Chronicles : Embracing the Both/And The Science of Relationships Youth, Varying Exceptionalities, & Poverty

In order to better support our chapters’ and other community advocates’ efforts to educate the public about the Cliff Effect, Circles USA has released a new downloadable resource. The Cliff Effect One-Pager offers visuals, examples, and practical solutions—all in one handy sheet. It’s also an excellent “leave-behind” learning tool for policymakers, employers, and community leaders.  Special thanks to the National Big View Team for working mindfully through the creation of this resource; and to our amazing graphic designer, Jenny Lipfert, for her brilliant graphs that captured some very difficult concepts in an laser-focused way. For a concise but deep dive into the Cliff Effect, learn more with this new Circles USA resource below. Download Circles Cliff Effect One Pager

Circles NWA (Northwest Arkansas) is a community-driven program that works to increase upward mobility for individuals and families in poverty in Northwest Arkansas. Based on the national Circles USA model, the Circles program builds intentional relationships ( social capital ) across socioeconomic lines that help open up long-term pathways for economic mobility and self sufficiency. [ Source ] We recently had the joy of speaking with Ana Hurley, a key staff member at Circles NWA, about their chapter’s big plans for the Big View —including a groundbreaking new leadership institute for graduates of the Circles program. Hi, Ana! Tell us about your role with Circles NWA and what you do there. My role is Big View Director, and I've been with Circles for about a year and a half. It's really been about building out the Big View: What are the pieces of that, and how can we have the biggest impact in our community to bring people in and really help see “the big view”? Part of that is our monthly Big View events within our Circles community. And then part of it is hosting these larger-scale community events that bring in people from outside our Circles community—our Becoming Visible series. And that essentially is helping our community members have something become visible to them that otherwise, in their daily lives, they might not see at all… a reality that they're maybe not witnessing, or [understanding] different socioeconomic backigrounds.  What is the Northwest Arkansas chapter up to lately? We had two Circle Leaders, Thelishia C. and Julie S., go to Washington D.C. in partnership with Bread for the World . Last year one of our Congress members, Steve Womack, had a [public] meeting, and someone from our local food bank who works with Bread for the World got in touch and asked if anyone in Circles had any stories of food insecurity, or the ways that the Child Tax Credit (CTC) had benefited them. We asked some of our Circle Leaders if anyone would like to speak on that, and Julie wanted to. So she made a video that we sent into his office [to air] during this meeting. One year later, she was invited to go to D.C. to share her story at the Bread for the World’s launch of their new initiative called Nourish the Future Campaign . And so she went to share her story, and along with her is her best friend Thelishia C., who's also a graduated Circle Leader and is now in the VOIS program— I'll tell you more about in a moment.  Thelishia and Julie in D.C. with Bread for the World While they were there, they were able to go to Senator Tom Cotton's office, to John Boozman’s, and to Steve Womack’s, and share their stories about how the Child Tax Credit had really benefited them. It was the first time flying for Thelishia C., first time leaving her children overnight. So [this was] a really big deal. And definitely the first time speaking on a panel for Julie…in front of hundreds of people. In fact, the Zoom [room] was full. You couldn't even get in! So there were, I think, 1,500-plus people watching. And yes, even I signed in too late and couldn't get in the Zoom. Eventually they sent out a YouTube link where you could watch from YouTube. Julie giving her testimonial It's just really exciting to see our Circle Leaders use their voices to share their stories and their experiences so that more people can have first-hand accounting of what it's like for the ALICE  demographic…some of the challenges they face and some of the ways that systems like the CTC can benefit people. Thelishia C., for example—she recently wrote and published her first letter to the editor of our local newspaper. In it, she talks about how the CTC allowed her to go back to full-time work. I think that's really powerful. Often the conversation is “How do we get people into full time work?” And sometimes a little extra help means [they can] afford to get back to work. That’s an incredible piece of Big View organizing for Julie and Thelishia—for all of Circles NWA, really! What Big View projects are your chapter members working on these days?  Well, Julie and Thelishia have had opportunities since then to continue to use their voice. They were invited to speak on another panel with Bread for the World. And Thelishia is in our VOIS Institute program  that I mentioned—the most recent project we're launching for the Circle Leader journey. VOIS stands for Voices of Influence and Storytelling. It's a program that our parent nonprofit and Circles host, Innovative Poverty Solutions , has launched. It’s starting as a program for graduates of the Circles program who are interested in taking a step into community leadership and advocacy. We plan for VOIS to be a multi-year program and we're currently in the first pilot of it. The pilot has focused on offering trainings on advocacy, crafting public narrative, public speaking, self-care for leaders, and curating opportunities for Fellows to publicly use their voice and influence. We took a trip to the Capitol in Little Rock to see our legislative sessions and to teach how to find your legislators' contact information, how to go about introducing yourself, talking to your legislators about issues you care about, and really building out partnerships with other organizations in our community. To me, one of the long term visions is that we will be able to create a group of storytellers who are able to confidently show up and tell their story. We continue to hear from advocacy organizations that nothing's more powerful than a story directly from someone who's experienced something. But oftentimes the people who are running the organizations aren't  the people who have the stories, the first-hand experience. They don't cultivate storytellers. And so we see a really big opportunity to cultivate storytellers—so, for example, if there's a bill going through on benefits cliffs, organizations and/or the legislators who are working on that can contact the VOIS Institute and say, “Do you have anyone that would like to speak on the way benefit cliffs have affected them?”  How is the VOIS Institute scaling up for the future? Will it involve community members beyond Circles NWA members at some point? VOIS is currently for Circle Leader graduates. But we host our Big View events—including several that are community wide—trying to get as many community members outside of Circles and across our region to come in, to essentially hear the stories of our Circle Leaders. We hosted one first on the Cliff Effect. And we've hosted one on housing with several hundred people in attendance. At first, our Circle Leaders were like, “I'm not going to get up on stage and tell my story… No way, no how!” We continued to talk to them about how important it is for people to hear and really understand the stories, to understand the life of a full-time working, single mother who's running into these barriers, or whatever the story may be. Once they get up on stage and they realize how powerful their voice is, there's two things that happen. One, they wish they had more time to prepare. And two, they want to do more of it. And so we realized we [should] create a program for the graduates, to keep them involved and give them that opportunity to practice and then do more of it. That's essentially why we started the VOIS Institute. We developed the curriculum by hosting a focus group with graduates of our Circles program to find out what they want in a program like this. It's still in the early, early phases. We started in September and the first cohort is about to work on what we're calling their Capstone Projects, where they can work together or as individuals on an advocacy project of their own. We see Circles as the program that helps Circle Leaders become the leaders in their own lives; this is the program that helps you become a leader in the community. VOIS Cohort 1 Fellows We see Circles as the program that helps Circle Leaders become the leaders in their own lives; this is the program that helps you become a leader in the community. Taking that step, the Circle Leaders are with us for 18 months, really focusing on that leadership of self. And then, yeah, coming in and saying, “Okay, I’m finding that leadership in self. Now I want to bring that to the community and really amplify my voice so that other people can learn from my experiences.” Thanks so much for this update, Ana. Before we go, wIll you say a little more about why it’s crucial for elected officials and other community members to hear first-voice stories, not just political opinions or arguments? I think a story grounds people in reality and in an experience that can't be denied. One thing that we tell our fellows and our Circle Leaders is, you never have to be nervous or feel like you're going to forget what you're saying because this is your story. You're not putting on any falsities, you're not making any reaches. You're telling your story, and you're expressing the way that it happened to you in a way that you're comfortable with. It's something that can't be denied and can't be taken away from someone.  Sometimes an opinion can be based on made-up ideas in someone's head about a “reality” based on stereotypes, things they've seen in the media [or] heard passed down, whatever it might be. An opinion isn't necessarily grounded in the experience of someone first-hand. But regardless of whether or not someone likes a story, the story is real .  To learn more about Circles NWA’s Big View advocacy and presenting, check out Bread for the World's Nourish Our Future Launch video on YouTube  or read their article Bread for the World Launches “Nourish Our Future” Campaign Focused on Child Hunger with Bipartisan Support on Capitol Hill For more info on Circles NWA as a national “anchor chapter,” watch their YouTube video Building Community to End Poverty .  Apply to be a Circles NWA/Innovative Poverty Solutions VOIS Institute Fellow here . Sign up to receive our public newsletters Click the   Give to Circles button  and help us celebrate 25+ years of building community to end poverty!

At Circles USA, we believe in the power of community to transform lives. Every day, I am inspired by the unwavering commitment of our volunteers—individuals who give their time, their presence, and their hearts to the mission of ending poverty in their communities. These generous souls are not just helpers; they are catalysts for change, companions on the journey, and bridges across the divides that often separate us. There’s a quote I keep close by, one that reminds me of the profound ripple effect volunteers create: “Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.” —Elizabeth Andrew And heart is exactly what our volunteers bring in abundance. Whether they are serving as Allies coming alongside Circle Leaders, leading youth programs during weekly meetings, preparing meals, providing professional connections, or simply showing up with a listening ear, every volunteer is a vital thread in the fabric of the Circles community. Volunteers help us weave together a more connected, compassionate, and equitable society. Volunteering isn’t just an act of kindness; it’s a powerful expression of solidarity. It says: Your life matters. Your dreams matter. We are in this together. It’s this spirit of togetherness that fuels our movement of building community to end poverty. And these numbers from AmeriCorps   tell an incredible story: Over 60 million Americans  volunteered their time in 2021, contributing approximately 4.1 billion hours  of service. This amounts to an estimated economic value of over $122 billion  in volunteer labor.  These statistics are a testament to the true generosity of the American spirit—a counterbalance to the endless conflict and hopelessness of our daily news cycle. And for our Circles communities, they are more than numbers. They are people: neighbors who show up, friends who uplift, businesses that care, houses of worship that offer hospitality, and families who come together. When someone steps into the Circles space as a volunteer, they become part of something greater than themselves. They become part of a community that is rewriting the story of poverty —not with pity, but with partnership; not with charity, but with connection. As the great Coretta Scott King once said: “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.” To every volunteer in our Circles network, thank you. Thank you for believing in people. Thank you for choosing to be present. And thank you for helping us build a movement that doesn’t just alleviate poverty, but ends it—one relationship, one meal, one conversation at a time. With deepest gratitude and hope, Kamatara Johnson Executive Director, Circles USA Sign up to receive our public newsletters Click the   Give to Circles button  and help us celebrate 25+ years of building community to end poverty!

We are thrilled to welcome Circles USA’s new board member, Peyton McCoy. Our extraordinary board is the governance team that oversees CUSA operations, advises on strategic directions, and contributes to specific projects that enhance what CUSA has to offer to our community of practice. Get to know Peyton in this Q&A, where she makes an elegant case for the power of moral clarity, reclaiming narratives, and Girl Scout cookies to transform America’s collective future. Welcome, Peyton! What brings you to Circles USA? The vicissitudes and variegations of poverty must bow in submission to the synergistic efficacy and agency of collective calling, character, competence, and community. We are at a compelling crossroad. On the one hand, we walk the streets of the wealthiest nation on the planet every day. On the other hand, people go to bed hungry every night. Circles USA offers a glimmer of hope, and a glimpse of possibility, that signifies an awakening. The sobering reality most historians affirm is that there have been relatively few periods of cultural awakening and revitalization in America. Historians allude to just four: The first three led to the American Revolution, the Civil War, and American entry into World War I, respectively. The civil rights movement and the Vietnam War were central catalysts to a fourth. Each period was marked by “jarring disjunctions” in norms, behaviors, and attitudes, resulting in societal restructurings. We need a conscientiously conscious restructuring predicated on eradicating the existence of poverty. Circles USA has built a marvelous concept to do just that. We should all want to be a part of its execution. How does the Circles model of poverty alleviation speak to you, your values, and your experiences with “surviving” & “thriving” in the U.S.? Circles does not circumvent the truth. How refreshing and reassuring. Facts matter, and we must consistently seek them to the best of our ability. If we do not, we engage in what Du Bois called “lies agreed upon.” Still, facts alone aren’t enough. It is also the interpretation of the facts that matters. It matters what we do with the facts, the kinds of questions we ask about them, and for what ends, because truth activates new possibilities. Telling the truth affords us a chance to excavate the past, examine its ruins, ponder what made us who we are, and experience the resilience that is manifested through new mercies. This calls for the discipline to be vigilant. The discipline to avoid confusing sentimental yearning with truth, and the refusal to recycle recrimination. The discipline to recognize and confront a deceptive nostalgia born out of frustration and powerlessness, perpetrating as genuine memory, predicated on the creation of a nonexistent past, to soothe our sanctimonious souls and justify self-serving agendas. Circles USA understands the significance of telling the story, portraying the intrinsic truth, and striving to rewrite the narrative. In our emergent story, everyone has the opportunity to survive and thrive. What are you most looking forward to in your board member role? Historian Vincent Harding poses a question: How are people nurtured to act with self-respect and self-responsibility? How are they encouraged to move through the world with a spirit which un-self-righteously challenges everything that threatens to crush the human spirit, the human ability to love ourselves and others? Can we explore [together] such fundamental questions [and think] aloud about the fascinating possible spiritual connections between the capacity to love ourselves and the willingness to love and serve others? It is the personified pursuit of answers to these questions that I look forward to as a board member. Will you share some fun facts about where you come from, who is in your community, and what you love to do? Professionally, I serve as Executive Director of 31st Cares, Inc.  I am an author, speaker, workshop facilitator, and conference presenter. Academically, I hold a bachelor’s degree in mass communications/public relations; a master’s degree in counseling psychology; a doctor of education degree in educational administration, and a Ph.D. degree in leadership and culture; and. I am a 2019 graduate of the Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University. Currently, I am a doctor of ministry student in the ministerial leadership cognate at Liberty University. I am a ministerial associate at Thirty-first Street Baptist Church, a member of the Pearls of Wisdom Book Club, and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. I am an avid runner whose life revolves around faith, hope, and the transforming power of love. I believe that faith will get you to first base; hope will carry you to second; but grace will see you home, and ensure a safe landing. Footnote: I am approaching a world record for greatest number of Girl Scout Cookies ever eaten (Samoas please!).

We are thrilled to welcome Circles USA’s new board member, Jennifer Brown. Our extraordinary board is the governance team that oversees CUSA operations, advises on strategic directions, and contributes to specific projects that enhance what CUSA has to offer to our community of practice. Get to know Jennifer in this Q&A, where she discusses her background, leadership ambitions, and the values that align her with Circles USA’s mission of building community to end poverty. Welcome, Jennifer! What brings you to Circles USA? Safety Net programs have been a part of my life since free summer camps and Upward Bound at Johnson C. Smith. It is my passion and an honor to work within my community to assist everyone in having full access to the American Dream. How does the Circles model of poverty alleviation speak to you, your values, and your experiences with “surviving” & “thriving” in the U.S.? Circles USA attacks all the stereotypes of being poor in America and has a tested and proven formula to change a family, not just in the next 180 days but for generations to come. Most importantly, the level of respect that Circles USA offers is inspiring for their like-minded partners and their Circle Leaders. What are you most looking forward to in your board member role? I am ready to get to work, expand our Circles chapters in the USA, and learn from Circles USA to assist the greater Charleston area in having long-term success in fighting the war on poverty. Will you share some fun facts about where you come from, who is in your community, and what you love to do? I was only supposed to be in Charleston, SC for two years to attend grad school and then move to Florida. Well, my plan was put into place on March 31, 1997. I am still here. I enjoy the rich history that Charleston offers. I am cheering for the Gamecocks and learning the game of baseball, all thanks to my son Graham.

Circles USA proudly marks Women’s History Month 2025 with a two-part post: in Part One , we took a deep dive into key facts and figures on core issues affecting women’s economic wellbeing. Here, we celebrate some women All Stars of Circles USA: leaders at every level who have set a high-water mark for dedication and ingenuity during CUSA’s 25+ years of building community to end poverty. Noumoua Lynaolu Noumoua—aka CUSA’s very first Circle Leader—has lived several lifetimes’ worth of growth and challenge in her journey from young mother in poverty to community organizer. In a life path that brought her Hmong family from Laos to California to Iowa and back to California again, our OG Circle Leader has traveled far, bringing invaluable insight and memories of Circles USA’s founding days and original leadership. Read more about Noumoua here. Joan Kuriansky Joan, our Board Chair and former Executive Director of Wider Opportunities for Women (Washington, DC), is a powerhouse advocate for women, workers, Jewish people, and many others facing systemic obstacles to prosperity. She is also the creator of our policy platform  addressing key issues our chapters flagged as high priority for poverty alleviation. Read more about Joan here. Jennifer Pelling Jennifer—a CUSA Board member since 2018—is a founding member of the Tsuha Foundation, a partner org supporting groups like Circles USA that come alongside low-income people to break the cycle of poverty. She also oversees our Board Advisory Council  and was instrumental in upgrading our Circles USA website, marketing materials, and curriculum. Jennifer recently finished producing a suite of new videos  that capture the transformative power of Circles. Read more about Jennifer here. Lynette Fields Lynette is the Executive Director at Poverty Solutions Group  (PSG) Inc., a community action agency that launched in 2020 with support from St. Luke’s United Methodist Church and soon became the parent org for Circles Central FL. A tireless leader and innovator within the CUSA community of practice, Lynette also (along with our National Coach Addie Hartnett ) pioneered the collaboration between Circles and Family Promise , the nation’s foremost organization addressing the crisis of family homelessness. Read more about Lynette here. J. Cherelle Fleming Nominated from among thousands of exceptional Circle Leaders nationwide, Cherelle is a 2024 Lives Transformed awardee. Her extraordinary story—a lifelong journey encompassing generational poverty, addiction, recovery, and the triumph of achieving academic and professional credentials to secure financial independence for her family—is a testament to the tenacity and brilliance of women Circle Leaders nationwide. Read more about Cherelle here. Michelle Crawford Michelle, Executive Director of Circles Salt Lake, stepped into the role of Regional Coach for CUSA’s Western Region in 2023. A key coordinator and resource person for Circles chapters in Utah, California and Nebraska—which collectively serve a majority of single mothers in their region—Michelle has helped secure TANF grants for local three-year funding and piloted new ventures like a summer cohort, Circles Fast Forward, and collaborations with Teen Resource Centers in area school districts. She is among the most dynamic, impactful team leaders in Circles USA: a true original, even among our national cohort of extraordinary women. Read more about Michelle here. Read Part One of our Women’s History Month 2025 two-parter, in which we take a deep dive into key facts and figures on core issues affecting women’s economic wellbeing. Check out last year’s exciting coverage of Women’s History Month: Circles Honors Women’s History Month: Call to Action by Board Member Joan Kuriansky Women’s History Month Pt. 2: Circles, Women, & Solutions To learn more about the extraordinary power of women in leadership at Circles USA, visit our Lives Transformed page , or watch our complete suite of documentary film shorts  on YouTube. Click the donate to Circles USA button  and help us celebrate 25+ years of extraordinary volunteers building community to end poverty!

Circles USA often salutes group history and/or “awareness” holidays in the final  days of the month rather than the first days. The reason is simple: For us, building strong relationships with the people most directly impacted by poverty is a year-round mission—not a 30-day special occasion.  We uplift these holidays in order to (1) share up-to-the-moment data on poverty trends, and (2) re-dedicate our national community of practice to addressing those equity gaps for the next 11 months, year after year…or until the disparity is fixed.  This framework supports, and is advanced by, every group of people in the Circles network. But it’s especially important to center women during Women’s History Month  and beyond, because women have been—and remain—the cornerstone of our organization. Women lead and serve Circles USA at greater rates than any other demographic, comprising the vast majority of our chapter membership (both Circle Leaders and Allies), staff, contract workers, and Board. Further, women and girls face disproportionate obstacles to getting and staying out of poverty , often shouldering more than their share of domestic labor while experiencing major systemic barriers in schools, in workplaces, and in our legal system.  Here, Circles marks Women’s History Month 2025 with a two-part post: in Part One, we take a deep dive into key facts and figures on core issues affecting women’s economic wellbeing. Women and Poverty: Surveying the Field The U.S. Chamber of Commerce reports  that, as of January 2025, the labor force participation  rate for women aged 16 and over was 57.6%—slightly down from 59% in February 2020. ​And, whereas the February 2020 rate for women's participation was 59% (compared to 71.4% for men), by May 2024, women's rate of participation had dropped to 57.6%, while men's participation remained relatively stable.  The San Francisco Fed writes that  “[a] substantial and unexpected rise in women’s labor force participation rates over the past few years has been a key factor spurring rapid labor force growth. In particular,” they note, “Hispanic women have made a disproportionately large contribution to post-pandemic growth in prime-age women’s participation rates.” Amidst this growth, women remain underrepresented in leadership roles and certain industries. Ongoing challenges according to AP News sources  include addressing systemic barriers and promoting work-life balance. Still, U.S. Department of Labor projections up to 2031  suggest that the number of women in the labor force will continue to grow. This will particularly impact women aged 25 and over, with an expected addition of approximately 2.9 million workers in the prime age group of 25 to 54. ​ Data further shows that gendered labor inequality isn’t limited to the workplace: Visual Capitalist estimates  that single-mother families  constitute approximately 20% of all families with children under 18 in the U.S., and these mothers ​face an overall poverty rate of 28%. ​Among single-parent families, BIPOC women face the highest rates of poverty, with 47% of Black mothers and 25% of Hispanic mothers raising children without partners. 28.4% of these Black single-mother families, 27.6% ​of Hispanic single-mother families,  19.3% of white single-mother families, and  14.6% of Asian single-mother families  live in poverty. [Source] Mass incarceration , the for-profit prison boom , and America’s legally enslaved workforce  further undermine women’s social and economic mobility today—and the danger is worsening. According to The Sentencing Project , the number of incarcerated women and girls in the U.S. increased by over 585% between 1980 and 2022, surging from 26,326 to 180,684; and over 60% of imprisoned women in state prisons have a child under the age of 18. Women of color are disproportionately incarcerated in ratio to the U.S. population: The Prison Policy Initiative found  that BIPOC women make up 41% of the prison and jail populations. ​ Ableism  remains a major obstacle for women and girls, with approximately 1 in 4 U.S. adults (or over 70 million individuals) reported having a disability in 2022. ​​ Per the CDC and Bureau of Labor Statistics , approximately 13% of the U.S. population (or about 42 million individuals) reported having a disability in 2024. While that demographic breakdown is not yet available, data from previous years and recent studies  suggests that women are more likely to experience disability than men, with 35% of women and 29% of men aged 55 and older reporting disabilities. For example, women are more likely than men to have mobility disabilities, such as serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs; and more likely to experience cognitive disabilities, including serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.​  Finally, gendered discrimination  compounds the economic outlook for women with disabilities: In 2023, according to Statista , the employment-population ratio for women with disabilities was 19.3%, compared to 27.3% for men with disabilities. And the UNH Disability Research Center found that among full-time, full-year workers, women with disabilities had a median annual earnings of $35,000, while men with disabilities earned $40,000.  While UNH’s report doesn’t break down their data by demographic, it’s reasonable to conclude that (as with every form of discrimination cited here) race, ability, and other factors compound the wage gap for certain groups. Join us for Part Two, where we’ll spotlight some women All Stars of Circles USA: leaders at every level who have set a high-water mark for dedication and ingenuity during CUSA’s 25+ years of building community to end poverty. Check out last year’s exciting coverage of Women’s History Month: Circles Honors Women’s History Month: Call to Action by Board Member Joan Kuriansky Women’s History Month Pt. 2: Circles, Women, & Solutions To learn more about the extraordinary power of women in leadership at Circles USA, visit our Lives Transformed page , or watch our complete suite of documentary film shorts  on YouTube.

We are thrilled to welcome Circles USA’s newest board member, Van Green. Our extraordinary board is the governance team that oversees CUSA operations, advises on strategic directions, and contributes to specific projects that enhance what CUSA has to offer to our community of practice. Get to know Van Green in this Q&A, where he discusses his values, shares his thoughts on belonging and community, and tells us why Circles USA already feels like home. Welcome, Van! What brings you to Circles USA? The mission. To bring help to families and individuals in need is to take a step towards bettering our future. As a person who grew up with less than what was needed, I can speak firsthand to the impact it can have on a family. The people in Circles USA and the structure that is provided by Circles is something that I have envisioned participating in for a long time. I am grateful to the board for allowing me to come alongside and learn of the amazing work being done daily. How does the Circles model of poverty alleviation speak to you, your values, and your experiences with “surviving” & “thriving” in the U.S.? Growing up as the youngest of four boys by a single parent had its share of challenges. My mother simply needed more resources to aid her in the raising of her children. From seeing my mother's struggle and remembering how it felt to not have enough, I dedicated my life to bring about positive change. I wanted to change the trajectory of my family, but also [that of] others who may not have the resources to simply survive in this country. Circles' set of values and standards speaks to me, as I am a product of others investing and taking the time to lend a helping hand. While I cannot pay that helping hand back, I can pay it forward. Circles gives me the vehicle to carry out a mission that is dear to me. What are you most looking forward to in your board member role? Given my background and history, in my board member role I hope to bring a fresh, authentic perspective to the collective. In the sharing of experiences and strategies, I hope to strengthen the Circles initiative as we collectively serve our community at large. Learning about the work conducted daily and about the struggles and the victories Circles has experienced, I hope to become a stronger advocate for the community at large. Will you share some fun facts about where you come from, who is in your community, and what you love to do? I am originally from Birmingham, Alabama. I am very proud of my heritage and my history. I love to read, spend time with my wife and son, and I love movies. Most people who have been around me pick up on my passion for basketball and my commitment to my faith. I work weekly with men, college age and older, in helping them achieve their hopes and dreams. This brings fulfillment in my life. I hope that I can be a successful leader that helps shape the next stage of our society for those closest to me, and for the strangers I meet along the way.