Refining your Personal Learning Agenda We are each having a certain level of impact on the world around us. The Transformational Leadership approach assumes we are ready and eager to make a more significant impact in order to bring about the vision for our life and the world we want. Upon further exploration, my inner voice told me more about my personal learning agenda: I need to regularly clean out the mental clutter and hone my ability to laser-focus on my priorities. The move to my smaller home cleared clutter from my environment. Moving to four days a week with Circles USA freed up time and energy to focus on activity that is in alignment with my emerging new vision. Writing this book is reinforcing the ideas that are most important to me at this time in life. My new project with Transformational Leadership is a bridge to a more authentic experience and expression of self. I am learning how to be happier and more effective. The following “curriculum” might work for your next stage of development as well: 1. Affirm and act on your personal freedom in each day and in each activity. Ask yourself regularly, “What do I want to do? Are there any “shoulds” I can identify and clear away? Measure success by the amount of time and joy spent on meaningful activity versus how much money is made. Change routines by inserting new and adventurous activity that generates more joy and enthusiasm for life. 2. Develop structure to increase accountability to pursue high-impact strategies. Commit to developing and following through on a strategic plan for both Circles USA and Transformational Leadership. Ask colleagues to help you stay focused on the plan, changing course only by intention, not through any delay pattern. Build regular check-ins with those who also like to stay on track. Do the essential but sometimes uncomfortable work of a clear and courageous evaluation of our weaknesses, unhelpful default patterns, and shadow selves. This might involve interviewing loved ones or trusted colleagues or working with a counselor. Including a plan to address “opportunities for growth” only strengthens our personal power. Keeping an open heart and the courage to be humble makes us better leaders. 3. Clear out the clutter in relationships and activity. As soon as it becomes clear that a client is no longer in alignment with achieving the transformational vision that you are pursuing, let go, and align with those who are. Each week assess which activities produced the most joy and which did not. Commit to creating a more joyful set of activities for next week. Self-Reflection Questions Ask yourself again—and this time tuning into your heart a bit more deeply—what do I need to learn next in order to increase my capacity to change my life and change the world? How can my Allies help hold me accountable to continuing my journey and achieving the milestones I have identified? Who knows me well enough to provide loving but honest feedback? What do I find most personally challenging, and do I know anyone who is accomplished in areas where I know I have room for improvement? Am I willing to ask for support? Other People’s Learning Agendas Additionally, those who align with our visions and participate in our programs will form their own learning agendas, so we must be prepared to help them find the right people who can facilitate their learning. They will first need to understand best practices elsewhere that might be implemented locally. What training programs and support systems can be tapped into to help them learn their new roles? Secondly, they need to learn what they personally must know, be, and/or do differently in order to play their roles effectively. Learn more: Transformational Leadership: A Framework to End Poverty ~ By Scott C. Miller To learn more about Scott Miller, please see his website  here .

Q&A with Joan Kuriansky, Board Chair of Circles USA To refresh Circles USA’s vision for the future, we’ve been collecting stories from our members and partners. Here we share reflections from an interview with Joan Kuriansky, who became CUSA’s board chair in October 2020. Tell us about one moment that shaped your commitment to ending poverty. In my third year of college, I had the opportunity to volunteer in the social services department of a state mental institution.  I was struck by how little resources were available to either patients or social workers to increase the ability of patients to heal and fully return to their homes and communities. It was at this point that I decided to use the law to affect the circumstances of people’s lives rather than only deal with the consequences of such policies. What motivates you to continue seeking change? As my career progressed, the relationship between gender discrimination and poverty became clearer to me. I moved from D.C. to Philadelphia to run a large-scale shelter and legal center to serve battered women and children. We established the first domestic violence courts in the country as well as the first program to advocate on behalf of battered women in prison. No matter what their economic class beforehand, women were often destitute by the time they sought refuge for themselves and their children. Some women could not even leave the house without permission or have access to a credit card. The abusers exerted power and control in so many ways and usually with serious economic consequences. After Philadelphia, I returned to DC where I served as executive director of The Older Women’s League. Because of economic inequities throughout their lifetime, older women were more likely to be poor and in poor health than men. As women aged, their options were limited in large part because they had not been compensated for the family caregiving they had done throughout their lives and women, who did work for pay, were often segregated in low-wage, dead-end work. My last full-time position was as executive director of Wider Opportunities for Women (WOW). In the early 60’s, WOW was established in response to women being increasingly unwelcome in the workplace after World War II. Women of all class and education levels came to WOW for assistance in finding work. Over time WOW made a commitment to focus on low-income women with less access to education. WOW established the concept of non-traditional jobs in federal legislation, offered training for women to get apprenticeships as pathway to well-paid work, and, later, with partners across the country, launched a variety of programs to build a family’s economic security. Given your impressive career, what reflections do you have about these issues today? Today, happily women are represented in all kinds of jobs, whether in STEM, law or Wall Street. And I sometimes feel hopeful. But the statistics tell a different and old story. Women’s work is not valued as much as that of men. Jobs, primarily dominated by women, are the least well paid. It will take many years to close the gender equality pay gap. Those affected most are women from backgrounds with less access to education, inadequate housing and lack of affordable and adequate health care. A disproportionate number of these women are women of color. Today we hear the economic consequence of the “shecession” of the pandemic. We must use our experience with COVID-19 to build strong and thriving communities in terms of public health and the economy with a commitment to address the social and historic inequities faced by so many. We can use the upcoming period to reset the norms of what is possible, fair and celebrate the voices of so many that have spoken out this year whether through the Poor People’s Campaign, Black Lives Matter, our own Circles Chapter leaders or so many others. How did you get involved in CUSA? I first learned about Circles when Scott reached out to WOW to explore a partnership. I served on the board of Circles during my tenure at WOW, and then Scott asked me to stay on the board. I continue to be so impressed by the work of the organization. The Circles multi-level approach is a recipe for success. What do you find meaningful in CUSA’s work? Our job is not to manage poverty but alleviate it; that is important. The Circles model is holistic. It’s about empowerment: the families are making their own decisions and plans, with community members providing resources. We are building partnerships, not paternalistic or unequal relationships. I love how all participants and volunteers become advocates for change through the Big View. There’s been such creativity discovered at the local level to address access to healthcare, transportation, broadband, and other issues. Gloria Steinem writes “ordinary women do extraordinary things,” and that plays out in Circles every day. How would you like to see CUSA grow? I am excited by the possibility of Circles’ programs and outreach expanding to different populations and responding to the systemic and historic inequities laid bare during this period.  Are we using a gender or age lens? Are we considering the access to technology and transportation that rural or low-income families have or do not have? How do we build on the incredible strength and contributions made by so many people of color with so many different histories? I envision communities that develop coordinated responses to lift families out of poverty that are centered on the experiences and wisdom or our leaders, with commitment from all sectors whether it be the government, private or non-sectors to develop the requisite policies and resources to implement the plan.  Ultimately, I believe that the work of Circles, community, by community, state by state, region by region will ultimately inform a national vision and blueprint to meet the economic and social imperative to end poverty in the United States. ~ Joan Kuriansky ,  Board Chair , and Former Executive Director of Wider Opportunities for Women (Washington, DC)

We’re making progress on our New Year’s resolutions here at Circles USA (CUSA). At the top of our to-do list: launching a non-partisan Civic Participation Campaign for 2020. When CUSA Chapters advance systemic change on key issues, we call this work the Big View. In an election year like 2020, we have a unique opportunity to scale-up Big View efforts across the country and raise visibility for the mission of ending poverty. Campaign Activities for Civic Participation Activities this year include: Webinars to support CUSA members to promote voter education and voter turnout Newsletters that share how CUSA members are tackling key issues like affordable housing, the Cliff Effect, transportation, and more Resources that articulate CUSA’s anti-poverty agenda and that enable CUSA members to take action To begin, CUSA is hosting a February webinar with guest facilitator Amy Basken, a seasoned legislative advocate and volunteer with Circles Sauk Prairie, WI. Amy’s presentation will refresh participants on: how a bill becomes a law; which policy makers to contact; tips for in-person and virtual communication with officials; opportunities during an election year; and the importance of sharing your stories with those in a position to make change. In subsequent months, we’ll highlight Big View success stories and feature resources on specific issues of critical importance to the network. For example, CUSA Chief Learning Officer Kamatara Johnson recently surveyed all Chapters about their Big View experiences and aspirations. The 24 survey responses revealed these top issues: Housing (19%) The Cliff Effect (12%) Low Wages and Quality Jobs (11%) Transportation (11%) Health and Wellbeing including Trauma (8%) Childcare (8%) Because those experiencing poverty are considered the experts, input from Circle Leaders will drive our efforts to design community-wide solutions. By the conclusion of this campaign, we’ll create a compendium with everything we collectively learned this year. Our Values CUSA’s Civic Participation Campaign will engage a diversity of political viewpoints. We believe that sustainable social change comes from the bottom up, when individual members of the community compel elected officials and institutions to take action. By encouraging voter education and voter turnout in 2020, we seek to ensure that all candidates elected will embrace an agenda concerned with ending poverty.  This campaign is non-partisan, and we will provide CUSA members with information about how to be civically engaged while honoring our status as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Get Involved The Big View Advisory Committee is meeting every 4-6 weeks to lead the campaign’s strategy and activities. Thanks to members, Joan Kuriansky (CUSA Board); Lisa Doyle-Parsons (CUSA Coach in WV); Amy Basken (CUSA Volunteer in WI); and Lynette Fields (Circles Central Florida Director in FL). To join this Committee or contribute to campaign plans, please email me at jamie@circlesusa.org . To stay informed, sign-up for our Big View monthly newsletter on poverty research and policy change. ~ Jamie Haft, Executive Director, Circles USA

In conjunction with our 2020 Civic Participation Campaign , Circles USA (CUSA) Board Member Joan Kuriansky prepared this list of allied efforts. But first, let’s review the basics: How 501(c)(3)s Can Talk to Candidates During an Election Year . Alliance for Justice provides this wonderful resource for nonprofit organizations. Below, we share other 501(c)3 organizations undertaking voter participation efforts this year in states where Circles Chapters are located. These organizations share our commitment to addressing poverty in our country.  Connecting with these organizations could be useful this year and for many years to come. In the short-term, these organizations might: Provide Chapters with an easy way to join a voter engagement project Partner with Chapters on efforts to engage candidates or government officials; Share with Chapters relevant information or background on some of the Big View issues being addressed.  In the long-term, some of these organizations might be partners in the Big View efforts that chapters undertake, bringing new visibility to the mission of ending poverty. Poor People’s Campaign This effort was created by Rev. William J. Barber II to raise the voices of the poor and allies of the poor. The Campaign advocates for policy changes at all levels of government and more recently has been engaged in many efforts to “get out the vote.” In addition to collaborating with campaigns across 20 states, the campaign has developed state-by-state fact sheets for nearly all U.S. states. Fact sheets include state-specific data on the extent of poverty in each state, along with principles and a “call to action” with specific policy goals. Between May 2019 and May 2020, the Campaign is leading a major national bus tour. The tour will culminate in the Mass Poor Peoples’ March and Assembly in Washington, DC on June 20, 2020.  Community Change This organization works at both the grassroots and national level to affect policy change by empowering women, immigrants, people of color, and those experiencing low incomes. Their goal is a “just, equitable, and inclusive economy and democracy where all people and communities thrive.” They collaborate with many organizations and use innovative community-organizing models. Notable is their work building an “electoral powerhouse” in communities of color through Community Change Action in 20 states.  Movement Voter Project This is a nationwide campaign to engage disenfranchised voters to participate in elections at all levels of government. Their innovative approach supports local community-based organizations in 40 states working for both long-term policy change and efforts to “get out the vote.” They are placing emphasis in five key states. Chapters should consider as possible partners the local and national organizations they are supporting. When We All Vote Their purpose is to “make sure that every eligible voter is registered and ready to vote throughout the country.” The organization is addressing the race and age divide in voting and changing the culture around voting. They provide tools and training materials to help partner organizations. It was launched by Michelle Obama in conjunction with a large, partially celebrity-led advisory board, and is directed by Valerie Jarrett.  ~Joan Kuriansky, Board Member, Circles USA

To refresh Circles USA’s vision for the future, we’ve been collecting stories from our members and partners . Here we share reflections written by Vince Gonzales. How did you come to the work of poverty alleviation? I grew up in a family who valued community service. When I became a member of the “over 50” club, I decided that it was time to give back to the community (Albuquerque, New Mexico) that had given me so much in regard to my professional IT career, raising two sons, and meeting the love of my life. My search for ways to accomplish this led to Circles. First, I volunteered to be Circles USA’s sole software developer for the Cliff Effect Planning Tool and then I was invited to join the Board of Directors. Tell us about one moment that shaped your commitment to ending poverty. In any volunteer work, I ask myself, “Am I making a difference? Are we making a difference?” In October 2017, I attended a strategy meeting in Grand Rapids, MI. When that meeting ended for the day, I stayed for the local Big View meeting. As attendees began showing up, my attention was drawn toward a mom and her three children: they walked in and lit up the room with their smiles and enthusiasm. They were introduced to me as a Circle Leader family. As I watched other folks arrive, I noticed a man in a suit stop in the doorway. Next thing, I hear a small voice, a child’s voice, from the other side of the room yelling, “You’re here! You’re here!” The eldest daughter, about ten years old, ran to the man in the doorway. When she reached him, she jumped into his open arms. This man was her family’s Circles Ally. With my eyes welling up and my heart overflowing with love, I exclaimed to myself, “This is the difference we can make. This is the difference I can make!” What breaks your heart about poverty? In March of 2011, I was in Washington D.C. with my wife’s family. As we toured the city on our way to Capitol Hill, we drove a few blocks from the White House. This vivid image is still in my memory: seeing homeless people living on the street with the White House clearly visible in the background. The War on Poverty was declared by Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965. Fifty-five years later, and this is the scene only blocks from the home of our country’s leader; it’s heartbreaking. What motivates you to continue seeking change? Humans have a long history of coming up with ingenious ways to survive, such as vaccines for polio and smallpox. Humans have made amazing strides in technology to live “better” lives, from the steam engine to the iPhone. Now we must arrive at an understanding that our survival and desire for a better life depends on “We the People” for every human on this earth. The current political and social climates in our country will continue to raise everyone’s consciousness around how we rely on each other for health and wealth. In my lifetime, I hope to see a greater reduction of poverty for even more people. How did you get involved with Circles USA? Inspired by family values and my commitment to the youth in my community experiencing poverty, I began to investigate innovative ways to address poverty. I came across a book by CUSA Founder Scott Miller, The Circles Story , and I was intrigued immediately! The Circles model creates relationships between those experiencing poverty and those who are not. It offers a way to provide a loving “nudge” to someone who wants to work their way out of poverty but cannot see the opportunity or does not yet possess the skills to do so. I met Scott in Albuquerque and he told me about some IT needs that Circles had at the time with its database and its concept for a Cliff Effect Planning Tool, and so I decided to offer my time, treasure, and talents. My IT work for Circles continued, but my heart wanted more. “I am not just an IT guy,” my heart said. I felt drawn to leadership, and that’s led to the position of Board Chair. I am excited to be serving at this level, along with my fellow board members and staff, to focus on eradicating the conditions of poverty. What are you currently working on? As Circles USA’s Board Chair, I’m designing plans to recruit future Board members. I care about expanding the Board to reflect those we serve and the people who volunteer their time toward our mission. This is work that must be approached carefully so as not to have “diversity for diversity’s sake” but rather to have diversity because it is the right thing to do. We are seeking those best suited to serve on the Board because of their passion, attitude, and aptitude for our mission. What’s most meaningful to you about Circles? Circles is about family and community. I like to remind my colleagues on the Board that we are people first: we share our New and Goods along with our not so goods, bringing our whole selves to the table. I am proud of how everyone involved in Circles collaborates. We build friendships between Circle Leaders working their way out of poverty and volunteer Allies. We also work at the legislative level, speaking to officials on both sides of the aisle. It’s inspiring to be focused on ending poverty and building thriving communities. ~ Vince Gonzales , Board Chair of Circles USA and IT Director of Perinatal Associates of New Mexico (Albuquerque, NM)

How can Circles USA adequately respond to racism? Let’s be in community together to listen to each other and support our way forward. Please join me on Wednesday, June 3 at 1pm Pacific, 2pm Mountain, 3pm Central, 4pm Eastern. Email gena@circlesusa.org for the Zoom Meeting ID and password. In the meantime, here are some of my reflections: Changing the mindset : At Circles, we believe that human beings can eradicate the conditions of poverty. The challenge is not about finding enough resources or figuring out what systems to change, but aligning the conviction: “We can and should end poverty!” Let’s bring this same bold energy to encourage ourselves and our communities that we can make a difference in addressing racism. Understanding this present moment : A recurring question during meetings with our board, staff, and partners: “What are you seeing/hearing/noticing about COVID-19 in relation to current trends for poverty reduction?” This week, we’ll reflect on the recent protests and social unrest. Your perspective is invited too: here’s more about our story-collection process . Gaining clarity about this present moment will inform the organization’s strategic planning, ensuring we can be nimble enough to respond to what’s most pressing.  Addressing inequity : In U.S. history, we have been managing the symptoms of poverty but not treating the cause. Circles Chapters advance necessary systemic change through the “Big View” committee and monthly meeting. Soon, Circles USA will release a policy platform with local and national recommendations on six key issues: quality jobs, cliff effect, broadband access, healthcare, housing, and transportation. We can use a lens of race equity in each Big View issue; as we design policy solutions, we can compensate for structural biases that make marginalized communities most vulnerable.  Voting : Circles USA has been organizing a non-partisan Civic Participation Campaign to promote voter education and voter turnout. The campaign launched with a webinar, Civic Engagement 101 . On June 17, our webinar about a “candidates’ forum” will teach Chapters how to share community stories with those in a position to make change. Your voice and your vote matters. Considering privilege : Circles USA recently upgraded training for volunteers to be more responsive to the complex context of poverty with new material on structural racism. Understanding my own privilege, as a white person, has been important to my social-justice journey. There are so many great resources, such as Robin DiAngelo’s White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard For White People To Talk About Racism and Layla Saad’s Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor .  Reaching out : Our friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues who are Black/African-American are experiencing a lot of trauma this week. Let’s not feel so daunted by injustice that we forget to ask those around us, “How can I best support you right now?” Building relationships across lines of difference is the heart of the Circles model. In a time of such intense polarization, let’s invest in relationships. Many thanks to our Circles Chapters for continuing to build such thriving communities. I’m looking forward to our upcoming community conversation.  ~Jamie Haft, Executive Director, Circles USA

Our communities are organized to manage growing poverty. They are not organized to reduce poverty. Every community spends a lot of money to help people manage crises . A mayor in a Utah community once told me that 90% of the 911 calls came from a relatively small but heavily concentrated area of people in poverty. Rather than investing in understanding the problems of poverty and solutions, we often just keep investing as much money as we can in reacting to it. State and federal agencies spend billions on programs aimed to stabilize people in poverty: SNAP, HUD, TANF, Medicaid, childcare assistance, to name a few of the big ones. These programs are not organized to help people out of poverty. If they were, there would not be the problem known as the cliff effect in which people lose more assistance than the increase in pay that comes from getting a new job, taking more hours, and/or getting a raise. According to Ballotpedia.org , more than 40% of the residents in my home state of New Mexico receive Medicaid. Government spending is $18.2 billion in our state. Medicaid expenses are 30.3% of total government spending. WOW. More than $5.5 billion for Medicaid in our relatively small population of just less than 2.1 million. How much would be saved by fixing the cliff effect? See our website for the most recent report regarding the cliff effect problem and what is being done about it. www.circlesusa.org Employers in New Mexico and numerous other communities served by Circles USA are complaining they cannot find enough qualified workers to fill jobs and expand their businesses. The economy depends on having people who can consistently show up for work and get their jobs done. Poverty reduction requires that teams of organizations work together to support a targeted number of households through the entire process of economic mobility noted in these five stages: Crisis intervention Stabilization Readiness for the workforce Placement into jobs Advancement to a good-paying job   Poverty reduction requires that federal, state, and local funders recognize they are rewarding poverty management when they pay for units of services that do not connect the dots between these stages of the process. They inadvertently contribute to increasing poverty and reducing economic vitality. Managing poverty generates that “phantom workforce”—people who should work, want to work, could work, but won’t or can’t because of the cliff effect and the lack of comprehensive programs that support people through the entire process. Poverty reduction systems will change our nation. We currently tolerate far too much poverty, given the immense resources, talent, and innovation we possess. The old model of paying for random units of services to manage poverty will one day give way to a more powerful approach. In the meantime, Circles USA is cultivating a national community of transformational leaders who are building the new model that will truly address poverty. You can learn more about the poverty reduction labs in my book, Transformational Leadership, a Framework for Ending Poverty . From the book: Enough Money, Meaning & Friends ~ By Scott C. Miller To learn more about Scott Miller, please see his website  here .

Lives Transformed Volume 2 will introduce you to four Circle Leaders who have changed their lives with Circles even in a time of COVID-19.  Here is Part 1 in a 4 part series honoring the hard work and dedication of our Circle Leaders and their supporting chapter. “My situation isn’t perfect yet, but Circles has perfectly prepared me for my journey out of poverty.” — Vivian from Ashland, VA Even though I was born into generational poverty, I knew where I wanted to go with my life. I just didn’t know how to get there. My three children and I were receiving food stamps, and to make ends meet, I was working two to three jobs. It seemed like I was working all the time and there was no end to this pattern. One day, the principal at the school where I worked told me about Circles. She said it wasn’t a handout, but it could help me get out of my situation. At my first visit, I felt an instant connection. Everyone was personal and friendly. This welcoming atmosphere encouraged me to get started. The matching process connected me with the perfect Allies. My Allies have supported me as I have worked to meet my goals. Their experiences and expertise were the perfect fit for the kind of financial and educational support I wanted. Since I became a Circle Leader, I’m not on food stamps anymore, and my family and I are living in a newer rental. I started school, and I will finish my bachelor’s degree next summer. My five-year plan includes becoming a homeowner for the first time and completing a master’s degree in school counseling. Being a part of Circles during the Covid-19 pandemic has been life-giving for me. Even though we were physically apart, Covid brought us closer together because we were all feeling this crisis in a similar way. Our Circles community met each week through Zoom, and our program leaders delivered food to our homes. Unfortunately, I couldn’t work for three months during the shutdown, so my savings got depleted. Lots of us had financial issues during this time, so our program leader pointed us toward resources for assistance. Circles reminded me that I was not alone in these challenges. The most difficult part of life during this pandemic was the tragic death of one of my children this past Mother’s Day. My Circles community supported my family in amazing ways. One of the program leaders had gone through a similar death of a child and suggested counselors for my family. She also brought food twice a day for several weeks. This kind of deep support has impacted me tremendously. When I felt like I couldn’t go on, the support from Circles reminded me of my own strength and the strength of our community. Circles has reinforced generosity as a way of life for me. I have received so much from my Circles family in termsof resources, knowing what’s available in the community, and people who care. I am now passing these things along to other Circle Leaders. My next step is to become an Ally with our next group of Circle Leaders so I can pay it forward. Read more stories here. © 2020

Lives Transformed Volume 2 will introduce you to four Circle Leaders who have changed their lives with Circles even in a time of COVID-19.  Here is Part 2 in a 4 part series honoring the hard work and dedication of our Circle Leaders and their supporting chapter. “My story isn’t special. It’s the story of so many people that don’t have the ability to tell theirs.” — Amber from Green Bay, WI When I found Circles, I was at rock bottom. I was homeless and couch surfing with my two-year-old daughter who has cystic fibrosis. I was working three jobs, had five case workers, and still couldn’t find housing. I was running out of money and resources and looking for some direction. I heard about Circles while attending a required job readiness training class. I liked what I heard, but I also could tell that I would not benefit from this program unless I went all in. And so I did. I have made a lot of progress, but that hasn’t come without significant setbacks. As of today, I am halfway to where I want to be. I have a good-paying job in a position that I am relatively good at. I have achieved the Circles goal of 200% of the poverty level. But along the way I got nailed with the cliff effect, twice! I got a great job and then an unbelievable raise within two months of being hired. With each increase in pay, I lost benefits that my pay increases didn’t make up for. I felt particularly distraught when I lost medical benefits for my daughter. But my Allies were there for me. They picked up food for me, helped get my daughter to doctor’s appointments while I was at work, and reminded me constantly that I was doing much better than I had been just a few of months before. They provided the support system that I desperately needed. When the pandemic hit, it felt like just one more blow. I was worried about my daughter since we weren’t able to leave home. However, our Circles chapter decided to go virtual during the shutdown, so that helped. More importantly, both our Allies and other Circle Leaders regularly checked in on us—especially since they knew my daughter missed her friends from Circles. Our Circles director and coaches have been creative in orchestrating in-person, socially distanced, outdoor activities this past summer that allowed my daughter to interact with her friends again. These activities are helping my daughter recognize the voices and needs of others. The last two years have taught me that there are no limits to what I am capable of achieving. I have achieved a lot on my own, but Circles people have helped me recognize capabilities that I didn’t know I had. I did not know that I could stand in front of a crowd of people. I didn’t know that I could be a part of changing the system that has failed me and so many others. I didn’t know that sharing my story could make a difference. I didn’t know that I had enough courage to acknowledge my own actions that brought me into poverty. I’m now involved in local politics and working to address minimum wage and other issues that affect people in poverty. My story is not extraordinary, but now I’m not afraid to share it. When I started Circles, I was homeless. But I worked hard, started a new career, and graduated from Circles. Now I give back as an ambassador to the community. I am not done with Circles because the system has to change. It is not good enough that I made it. This is a struggle for so many people. People shouldn’t have to work three jobs and be homeless. They shouldn’t have to lose their childcare benefits or fall off any other cliff when something is just beginning to go right for them. I’m doing something about it! For me, thriving means not living under the anxiety and fear that what I have is all going to go away. I don’t feel that fear the way I used to. Circles has provided people to help me overcome life’s rough spots, which has opened opportunities for me to advocate for others and make lasting systemic changes. Read more stories here. © 2020

Lives Transformed Volume 2 will introduce you to four Circle Leaders who have changed their lives with Circles even in a time of COVID-19.  Here is Part 3 in a 4 part series honoring the hard work and dedication of our Circle Leaders and their supporting chapter. “I didn’t have healthy role models growing up. Because of Circles, I am becoming the parent I want to be for my kids.” — Eve from Derby, KS I grew up moving around a lot because my dad was a drug dealer and both my parents were users. At the age of 10, my mom died from Hepatitis C. My dad got remarried when I was 11, but I never felt accepted by my stepmom. I attempted suicide and ran away from home for my own safety. Unfortunately, I kicked a police officer who thought he was helping me by trying to take me home. This resulted in me being charged with battery of a law enforcement officer, and I was put into foster care. I bounced around different homes—some within my own family—but I was so traumatized from my young childhood that I tried to take my own life again. At this point, my dad completely abandoned me, and I spent the rest of my childhood in a group home for children. This was the first place I experienced stability. When I was 17, I tried to go back to my dad, but my stepmom wouldn’t allow it. I then met a 29-year-old and married him. We had three children and divorced when my youngest child was just 2 years old. I met another man who seemed amazing but started abusing me within a year and almost killed me. Two more abusers were part of my life after this, and I lived in fear for several years. I lost job after job due to PSTD and constant worry about someone coming after me. My sister helped me move to a different city and got me connected with a case manager. I thought I was doing OK because my kids were fed and my bills were paid, but the case manager pointed out that I was getting help from the food bank and local churches. She ultimately helped change my life because she introduced me to Circles. I was learning how to rebuild my life as I worked my way through the Circle Leader training. After I finished the training, I moved to another city and contacted the Circles chapter there. The director asked me, “What do you want for your life, Eve?” And this helped me take the steps needed to move out of a roach-infested apartment and start saving enough money to buy a house. Circles has given me the strength to hope for something better for my family and gain the tools and connections to make it happen. Getting my high school diploma was one of the goals that my Circles family wouldn’t let me give up on even though there was a pandemic. I had dreamed of what it would be like to wear a cap and gown, and when my graduation ceremony was canceled, my Circles family hosted a ceremony just for me. I wore my cap and gown! It was better than I imagined and all the more special because I was celebrating with the people who had cheered me on all along the way! I started college in August, 2020. I have been clean and sober for over six years and now serve as the Coach for my local Circles chapter. Circles has provided a place of stability for both me and my children. Even though I didn’t have loving and supportive parents as a child, the director of my Circles chapter has modeled the kind of care and concern I want to give my own children. Now I have the opportunity to do that for my kids and other Circle Leaders. As the Circles Coach, I have a special bond with each Circle Leader because I have something in common with each person. Childhood trauma? I experienced a lot. Addiction? I’ve been there. Abuse? I am a survivor. That connection with our Circle Leaders has been really valuable during Covid-19. I call my Circle Leaders every week to check in and encourage them, to make sure they keep moving toward their goals. It has taken a lot of extra work, but it is worth it. It helps me keep going on my goals too! I want to encourage others who are experiencing the same challenges I had. Read more stories here. © 2020

As part of their Poverty Reduction Lab initiative, Circles Green Bay, led by Jen Schmohe, hosted a public discussion to generate a shared vision for 2021 priorities with regard to large scale poverty reduction in Brown County, WI. The session on January 14, 2021 focused on how to leverage resources for young adults in the 18-32 year old age range and successfully connect them to in-demand career pathways. Jen Schmohe appreciated the diversity and number of attendees who are interested in this important work. “We need to continue the dialogue, look for others to join the work, and strive to develop new responses for the narratives of poverty. By focusing on the young adult age range of 18-32 with our poverty reduction efforts, we will be able to set benchmarks for success and rally organizations to exert urgency in the pursuit of self sufficiency and stability for the households that are the future of Green Bay’s vitality.” — Jen Schmohe from Green Bay, WI As pictured here, featured speakers included: Troy Murphy, GBCC Senior Pastor Scott Miller, Circles USA Jen Schmohe, Circles Green Bay Spencer Bonnie of Achieve Brown County Robyn Davis and Sarah Inman of Brown County United Way Cheryl Detrick of NEWCAP Amber Edwards, former Circle Leader Natalie Bomstad of Wello Their next poverty reduction meeting is already scheduled for March. Congratulations on a successful launch of this community-wide initiative.

Circles USA’s Leadership Conference: April 19-23, 2021 2020 brought so many people to the breaking point. Families struggled to make ends meet. Volunteers and staff gave everything they had. In the face of unprecedented economic insecurity, let’s come together to strengthen our breakthrough solution. BREAKTHROUGH –  VISION:  How to develop a bold plan for reducing poverty? BREAKTHROUGH –  SYSTEMS:  How to move from poverty management to poverty reduction? BREAKTHROUGH –  JOBS:  How to find job pathways for workers with low incomes? BREAKTHROUGH –  ISSUES:  How to tackle Big View issues like the cliff effect, housing, and transportation? BREAKTHROUGH –  RESULTS:  How to evaluate and grow your impact? BREAKTHROUGH –  RELATIONSHIPS:  How to make meaningful connections during the pandemic? BREAKTHROUGH –  STORIES:  How to elevate stories from our mission-driven community? Save the date to join Circles USA online to be inspired, share innovative practices, and work together to create breakthroughs for your community. See your CUSA newsletter for the link to purchase your conference tickets at the early bird rate.  Contact Gena for more information: gena@circlesusa.org