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MISSION Building community to end poverty through intentional friendships, personal transformation, and systemic change led by the people closest to the challenge. VISION All individuals live in equitable, thriving communities where poverty no longer exists. “Circles is one of the best models for long-term poverty reduction I have ever encountered. It sets up a new dynamic that puts the families who want to become economically stable in the driver’s seat rather than being viewed as clients choosing predetermined options. All involved create a community conversation to reduce poverty regionally. ” — Lynette Fields (Executive Director of Poverty Solutions Group) tabsection Meet Our Team Publications Lives Transformed Big View Blog Circles USA Annual Impact Reports ® “Welcome to the 2024 Impact Report reflecting the hard work of our national community of practice, now spanning 26 states and 73 communities. As we focused on growing into the Next Chapter of Circles, we reconfigured our national office; upgraded our website, curriculum, and resources for chapters; and strengthened our partnerships in the national anti-poverty arena. As our organization is maturing, we are ready to Move Beyond in 2025...but first, take some time to honor where we have been and all that has been accomplished in Circles in 2024.” — Kamatara Johnson (Circles USA Executive Director) Circles reports chapter results at individual and community levels. Participants steadily grow skills and income, decrease dependence on public assistance, and expande resources and support networks. At the community and national levels, Circles USA connects diverse peoples across class lines and ideology, changes attitudes about poverty, and contributes to policy change. Circles USA collects participants’ survey data prior to the start of the initiative, after training, and then every six months during the initiative. Longitudinal data is collected at 24, 36, and 48 months. 2023 Report 2022 Report 2021 Report 2020 Report 2019 Report 2018 Report 2017 Report Case Studies Denny, Justin, Brian Garvey, Lenie Nguyen, and Abia Sebaka. “Poverty Reduction and Determinants of Health.” Journal of Poverty, January 13, 2024, 1–14. Public health professional students at the University of Western Australia (UWA) Sebaka and Nguyen, along with UWA Associate Professor Denny, analyzed multiple years of Circles USA data and found significant income growth for participants. The UWA research team, along with Garvey (an Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University), synthesized this data into a new resource for academic and independent sector workers in poverty alleviation. Read More Circles USA’s Cliff Effect Report for New Mexico First: Policy Recommendations for Advocates, Leaders, and Stakeholders around the Cliff Effect Circles USA has identified the cliff effect as the biggest barrier to families to getting out of poverty. The cliff effect occurs when working families lose public benefits faster than they can earn income to replace the lost resources. This report will examine the cliff effect felt by New Mexico families using three hypothetical cases. The cases are followed by recommendations for possible remediation to lessen the impact of the cliff effect. The data presented in this report is based upon the cliff effect estimating tool (CEPT) developed by Circles USA for New Mexico. Read More Office of Family Assistance Brief: “Social Capital Initiatives To Achieve Employment Goals” In 2019, Circles USA was featured as an innovative strategy for TANF programs in a brief from the Administration For Children & Families’ Office of Family Assistance This brief was part of the Office of Family Assistance’s Emerging Practice Series, highlighting how TANF agencies and their partners are helping low-income individuals gain and sustain meaningful employment. Read More Cliff Effect Report Released in Michigan: Policy Recommendations for Advocates, Leaders, and Stakeholders around the Cliff Effect The report focuses on the Cliff Effect from Michigan’s Family Independence Program (FIP), Food Assistance Program (FAP), and Child Development and Care Program (CDC). Policy-level recommendations focus on bringing awareness to key stakeholders (public officials, community leaders, and Michigan employers) about the impact of the Cliff Effect on families seeking economic self-sufficiency, development of community assistance programs to help families avoid cliffs, and the development of employment training programs to help displaced workers in Michigan. Read More Carmen’s Story (Circles Northwest Arkansas) Carmen Gonzalez of Circles Northwest Arkansas spoke about how Circles helped her grow trust alongside financial stability. “Before Circles, I didn’t have a lot of faith in humanity. I didn’t believe in myself; I didn’t have people I could depend on locally. I joined Circles and met people who genuinely cared and wanted me to succeed in ways that no one has ever wanted for me before. That was life-changing for me and my family.” Volume 1 Volume 2 Volume 3 Volume 4 & More Volume 5 Annual results show positive impact for local communities. “In 2023, we strengthened our offerings and tools to support our chapters wherever they are in their journey, whether just launching, serving their first cohort of Circle Leaders, supporting multiple cohorts, or even expanding into multiple locations. So this has been a year of deepening and expanding Circles, not only in what we do as a successful anti-poverty initiative but in understanding who we are and what we really do. Circles USA is a teaching organization offering the model, the messaging, the coaching, and the support for the community of practice to do the work. 2023 has given us great clarity around what’s ours to do and what’s next for Circles USA.” — Kamatara Johnson (Circles USA Executive Director) Results are reported on the individual and community levels. Participants experience increased skills and income, decreased dependence on public assistance, and expanded resources and support networks. At the community level, Circles USA connects diverse people across class lines, changes attitudes about poverty, and contributes to policy change. Circles USA collects survey data prior to the start of the initiative, after training, and then every six months during the initiative. Longitudinal data is collected at 24, 36, and 48 months. 2022 Impact Report 2021 Impact Report 2020 Impact Report 2019 Impact Report 2018 Impact Report 2017 Impact Report Circles USA Leadership Team Kamatara Johnson Executive Director (Albuquerque, NM) Courtney Cowan Information Systems & Design Manager ( West Fork, AR) Kris Alexander Chief Learning Officer (Asheville, NC) Addie Hartnett National Coach & Southeast Regional Support (Orlando, FL) Gena Atcher Administrative Coordinator (Rapid City, SD) Board of Directors Joan Kuriansky Board Chair and former Executive Director of Wider Opportunities for Women (Washington, DC) Jennifer Pelling Board Member & Director of Tsuha Foundation (Austin, TX) Jim Masters Board Treasurer and President of Center for Community Futures (Berkeley, CA) Jennifer Brown Board Member & Program Outreach Coordinator for Heart Math Tutoring (Charleston, SC) Peyton McCoy Board Member & Executive Director of 31st Cares, Inc. (Richmond, VA) Van Green Board Member, Director & Founder of "Universal Soldiers" Men's Group, and Collegiate Basketball Coach (Sacramento, CA) Board Advisory Council Circles USA proudly launched a new Advisory Council in July 2022. This group, tasked with amplifying diverse participants’ voices to guide the national board’s decisions, has met eight times to date, addressing topics ranging from “What does success look like at Circles?” to mental health; building community across chapters; and long-term chapter sustainability. The inaugural Advisory Council consists of 10 people from 10 different chapters—rural, urban, and suburban; new chapters and veteran ones. As this Council cohort winds down, we are considering the best timing for the next cohort. We look forward to bringing together more fresh perspectives to serve this important role in the Circles family. Founder Scott Miller, Founder (Albuquerque, NM) Since the late 1970s, Scott has initiated numerous projects in North America to help families and communities more effectively address poverty. He has spent decades developing tools and best practices for helping low income people navigate their way out of poverty for good. Scott is the author of several books about poverty reduction . Scott retired from Circles USA in 2021 and still serves as a consultant for select pilot sites working towards building a Poverty Alleviation System in their community. Regional Coaches Michelle Crawford , West Regional Coach (Salt Lake City, UT) Cheryl Williams , Southeast Regional Coach (Columbus, GA) TJ Williams , Central Regional Coach (Fayetteville, AR) Helen Rai , Mid-Atlantic Regional Coach (Richmond, VA) Andrew Sprock , Midwest Regional Coach (Marion, IN) Consulting and Support Team Amy Brooks , Content Writer & Editor (Minneapolis, MN) Jeannie Chaffin , Poverty Alleviation Systems Consultant (Washington, DC) Lynette Fields , Expansion Advisor, Director of Poverty Solutions Group (Orlando, FL) Alexis Jorgensen , Assistant (Lowell, AR) Jenny Lipfert , Graphic Designer (Cornish, NH) Natalie Oh , Marketing and Communications Consultant (Boston, MA) Lise Porter , Mental Health Specialist (Glendale, CA) Sarah Thornburg , Poverty Alleviation Systems Liaison (Ypsilanti, MI) Chris Tinney , Sales Ambassador (Las Vegas, NV) Dr. Evie Trevino , Quantitative Psychologist and Consultant (Bixby, OK) Our Partners The Circles model is unique because it easily integrates into existing support agencies. A Circles chapter can be launched by a range of organizations, including social service agencies, food banks, chambers of commerce, or houses of worship. The diverse nonprofit organizations, foundations, and corporations listed below have all been instrumental in launching and/or supporting Circles chapters across the country! “Our group spoke to Circles USA personnel, leaders of Circles affiliates, and representatives of other kinds of self-sufficiency and community-building programs. The decision to choose the Circles model came down to this: Circles is an established program with a proven track record of success.” Sarah Thornburg, former executive director of Friends In Deed (Ypsilanti, MI) The Big View: Leading Systemic Change from Within The Big View represents the broad, transformative nature of Circles USA’s approach to ending poverty. While many initiatives focus solely on either serving individuals or advancing policy reform, we recognize that radical poverty alleviation (that is, “getting at root causes” of economic instability) requires both personal initiative and widespread systemic change. This strategy, combined with our commitment to centering the agency and leadership of those closest to the challenge—our Circle Leaders—drives the change process that our chapters and national network need for long-term poverty eradication. Our Dual Approach to Ending Poverty At Circles, we have two primary goals: to help families get out of poverty and to remove the barriers that keep people in poverty. The Big View is the wing of Circles that prioritizes our systems change work to remove those barriers. Research consistently shows that poverty alleviation efforts are most effective when led by those with lived experience of economic challenges. We are committed to supporting and resourcing Circle Leaders as they drive systemic change, advancing poverty eradication goals on the local, regional, and national levels. Why the Big View Works The Big View's effectiveness stems from its unique approach to poverty alleviation: Community-Led Solutions: Unlike typical top-down initiatives, we amplify the perspectives, ideas, and expertise of Circle Leaders—the true experts who understand poverty's challenges firsthand. This ensures our campaigns address the most pressing issues facing each community. Comprehensive Change: Circles uniquely combines relationship-driven, interpersonal transformation with strategic action to effect policy reform, addressing poverty from multiple directions simultaneously. Collective Impact: While no individual can solve poverty alone, everyone can contribute meaningfully within their capacity. The Big View harnesses collaborative effort and sustained commitment to create lasting change via healthy interdependence and mutual accountability. Our Vision We work toward a future where all individuals live in equitable, thriving communities where poverty no longer exists. Through the Big View, we: Foster year-round civic engagement and community development Build leadership capacity at all levels Support self-advocacy skills Create systemic change through targeted campaigns Amplify the voices of those with lived experience Join the Circles USA Movement The Big View demonstrates that ending poverty requires more than individual success stories—it demands systemic change led by those who understand the challenges best. By combining personal transformation with community-wide impact, we're creating sustainable networks that grow stronger as our chapters deepen and expand. Together, Circles does more than simply help individuals overcome poverty. We're building a movement that transforms entire communities through the power of intentional friendships, personal growth, and systemic change. What is the Big View Policy Platform? Originally authored by board member Joan Kuriansky, our policy platform is built to address the challenges faced by low-income, working individuals and families who are earning just enough to disqualify them from many public benefits yet far too little to meet their basic needs. People experiencing poverty are also least likely to engage in the democratic process and most likely to be marginalized by systemic oppression. Increasing Economic Stability Smoothing Benefit Cliffs Building Social Capital Increasing Health, Wellness, and Family Supports Supporting Education and Workforce Development Elevating Equity and Democracy These families are navigating a precarious financial landscape in an uncoordinated and non-responsive system that discounts their voice and value; however, their success is critical to breaking the cycle of poverty in our communities. Our approach blends individual empowerment with community-driven strategies, uniquely positioning us to advocate for systemic changes that create sustainable pathways out of poverty. Increasing Economic Stability Policies that support fair wages and benefits, affordable housing, food security, reliable public transportation, and affordable childcare are essential to create a foundation for economic stability. Check out our Podcast: The Big View: Ending Poverty in Your Community. Helping you gain a deeper understanding of the experience of poverty and how to make a real difference in your community. View the full policy platform here What is the Cliff Effect? As part of our Big View Policy Platform, Circles USA specially assists local chapters in identifying, bridging, and eliminating the Cliff Effect. This phenomenon (also known as a “benefits cliff”) happens when a raise or other income gain triggers the loss of benefits worth more than the wage increase. Our multi-pronged approach supports workers facing the Cliff and offers alternatives to employers and policy makers hoping to mitigate its effects. How is Circles USA resolving the Cliff Effect? For seven years, Circles USA has been conducting research and developing tools to better inform families and policy makers about this barrier that too often keeps people trapped in poverty. Circles USA recently produced a policy platform that provides local, national, and federal recommendations for mitigating the Cliff Effect. In previous years, Circles USA prototyped a planning tool to estimate the income levels that prompt the loss of benefits. Additionally, several states commissioned our researchers to make recommendations. For Michigan, Circles USA produced a field scan of solutions nationwide. For New Mexico, our report included case studies that point to ways to resolve the Cliff Effect. Several Circles chapters also piloted an online calculator developed by Leap Fund. This tool helps recipients of public benefits understand whether they will hit a cliff, when it will happen, and how long it will take them to recover. More recently, the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s Community and Economic Development department created the three tools to uncover the barriers to, and opportunities for, improved economic mobility. These tools make the data easily accessible for community planning and decision-making. Circles chapters piloted these resources to better support those who are facing the benefis cliff. Resources for Understanding and Addressing the Cliff Effect Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta Three tools to uncover the barriers to, and opportunities for, improved economic mobility Snapshot—Assists in understanding the potential short-term financial impact of a new job or income change. Dashboard—Assists in long-term career planning and flags potential financial barriers to career advancement. Planner—Assists in detailed career planning while creating a customized budget that helps users navigate potential financial barriers to career advancement. Know Your Community’s Wages and Cost of Living A.L.I.C.E. Household Across the US Living Wage Calculator National Trends National Conference of State Legislatures US Chamber of Commerce Benefits Cliff Overview—Impact on Business For more information or to get involved, contact us . Special thanks to the National Big View Team for working mindfully through the creation of this resource Check out our Cliff Effect Awareness One-Pager: Visuals, examples, and practical solutions—all in one handy sheet! See Our Most Recent Blog Post Below The Learning Curve Chronicles: Healing the System, Healing Myself 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. 1 day ago Big View Innovations: A Conversation with Ana Hurley of Circles NWA 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. We recently had the joy of speaking with Ana Hurley, a key staff member at Circles NWA, about t May 5 The Heart of Our Work: Volunteers Building Community to End Poverty | National Volunteer Month 2025 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. Apr 28 The Learning Curve Chronicles: The Serviceberry as a Blueprint for Community 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 socia Apr 24 Meet Peyton McCoy, CUSA Board Member We are thrilled to welcome Circles USA’s new board member, Jennifer Brown. Our extraordinary board is the governance team that oversees CUSA Apr 16 Meet Jennifer Brown, CUSA Board Member We are thrilled to welcome Circles USA’s new board member, Jennifer Brown. Our extraordinary board is the governance team that oversees CUSA Apr 7 Women’s History Month 2025 Pt. 2: Circles USA All Stars 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 co Apr 3 CUSA Salutes Women’s History Month 2025 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 Apr 1 NEW! Announcing Season 2 of The Big View Podcast We’re thrilled to announce the return of Circles USA’s breakout podcast series The Big View: Ending Poverty in Your Community! Mar 26 The Learning Curve Chronicles: Embracing the Both/And When Circles USA declares “We’re building community to end poverty and bringing people together across lines of difference,” this is what we Mar 20 View Our Full Blog Submit a Guest Blog Post casestudies cliffeffect

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The Big View: Ending Poverty in Your Community Helping you gain a deeper understanding of the experience of poverty and how to make a real difference in your community. Latest Episode Centering Those Closest to the Challenge Join Kamatara, Kris, and special guest Patty Herndon, Big View Chair and Circle Leader from Circles Davis County, as they explore the critical importance of centering those most impacted by the challenges of poverty. Together, they discuss how elevating lived experiences and amplifying the perspectives of strategically undervalued individuals can drive meaningful systems change, creating a more equitable and effective path of upward mobility for your community. At Circles, we understand that those closest to the challenge are closest to the solution—and everyone has a role to play in building an equitable and prosperous society. Listen Now Season Two: The Big View Mindset Join Circles USA’s Chief Learning Officer Kris Alexander, Executive Director Kamatara Johnson, and a cohort of poverty alleviation guest experts as they dive into the transformative mindset and culture that drive Circles’ Big View approach. Together, our team explores how intentional mindsets and values can inspire lasting systemic change and fuel our movement to eradicate poverty. At Circles, we believe that everyone can make a meaningful impact—and everyone has a role to play in the journey to reduce poverty. Special Episodes Season One: The 5 Stages to Prosperity After 25 years in the anti-poverty arena, Circles USA has noticed a pattern: Moving from surviving to thriving involves five key stages: Crisis Intervention, Stabilization, Readiness, Placement and Advancement. In Season One of The Big View Podcast, Circles USA's Executive Director, Kamatara Johnson, and former Chief Integrity Officer, Yvette Trujillo, unpack these five stages to help you understand how your community can support individuals and families on this journey.

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In this episode, Executive Director Kamatara Johnson and Chief Learning Officer Kris Alexander kick off a three-part series on Centering People & Purpose, starting with the second mindset of Big View: Values-Based Organizing. What happens when we lead with what we stand for, not just what we stand against? Join us as we explore how shared values can be a powerful foundation for organizing work that inspires hope, unity, and real community systems change. The Big View: Ending Poverty in Your Community | Season 2 Season 2 Episode 2: Values-Based Organizing In this episode, Kamatara and Kris kick off a three-part series on Centering People & Purpose, starting with the second mindset of Big View: Values-Based Organizing. What happens when we lead with what we stand for, not just what we stand against? Join us as we explore how shared values can be a powerful foundation for organizing work that inspires hope, unity, and real community systems change. We’ll break down the difference between traditional organizing and values-based organizing, share real-life examples from our own experiences and Circles communities, and dig into why centering values helps us keep people and purpose at the heart of what we do. This isn’t just theory—it’s a practical shift that can reshape how we design campaigns, engage communities, and imagine solutions that include everyone, not just a few. Whether you’re new to organizing or a longtime changemaker, this episode will ground you in the “why” of values-based strategy. The Big View: Values-Based Organizing Circles USA 00:00 / 38:08 Download Transcript Show Notes

Overview Submission Methods Needed Information Filming Tips Previous Lives Transformed Nominations for Lives Transformed 2024 Each year, our Lives Transformed series features Circle Leaders who embody courage and vulnerability by sharing unforgettable testimonials of their Circles journeys. Circles USA is calling for Lives Transformed nominees for our upcoming 2024 Impact Reports. You can nominate yourself OR a Circle Leader for Lives Transformed ! Follow our guidelines below for self-nominations (video) or Circle Leader nominations (written). Email your submission to: Courtney@CirclesUSA.org by Friday, December 13th, 2024. Submission Methods Nominate a Circle Leader: written submission guidelines Nominating yourself: draft video submission guidelines At a minimum, your recorded self-nomination should include: Your name and chapter How your participation in Circles has positively impacted your life, chapter, family and/or community ”Draft” quality simply means using your cell phone to record your talk, with no concerns about the background, lighting, or “fine” audio quality, as long as we can see and hear you. See below for filming tips. At a minimum, your written nomination should include: Your full name and chapter The Circle Leader's full name and chapter How the Circle Leader’s presence and participation in Circles has positively impacted your chapter and/or community ** See below for optional talking points to enhance your nomination ** NOTE: We may ask some self-nominating Circle Leaders selected for Lives Transformed to re-record your talks in order to improve production quality. Don’t worry—we can provide tips to help you record your video to best effect. Looking for talking points? Feel free to use the following questions and prompts (in addition to full name, chapter & role) for both written and recorded submissions. Needed Information When and how did you/your Circle Leader connect with Circles originally? What was your/your Circle Leader’s financial condition at the start of the Circles journey, and how did it change in the weeks and months to come? How have CUSA’s intentional friendships and chapter structure transformed your/your Circle Leader’s life? How has your/your Circle Leader’s time with Circles changed your family’s dynamic and understanding of life beyond poverty? What would you say to people who are hesitant to attend a Circles chapter for the first time? Filming Tips Filming Tips Record your video in a quiet and well-lit space Lighting tips: Facing a window during daylight hours generally produces the best results. To avoid glare in glasses frames, try positioning the light source slightly to one side of your face. A little bit of glare is not a big deal. :) Make yourself Comfortable Consider any other ways you can make the environment comfortable for yourself: a blanket on your lap, a trusted person in the room, etc. Speak at a pace that is natural for you and don’t worry about any long pauses, as we can edit them out. Orient the camera horizontally/landscape Record using a stable surface at your eye-level Position your device on a stable, eye-level surface. If possible, use a tripod. Check out previous Lives Transformed honorees below for inspiration! Previous Lives Transformed Carmen’s Story (Circles Northwest Arkansas) Carmen Gonzalez of Circles Northwest Arkansas spoke about how Circles helped her grow trust alongside financial stability. “Before Circles, I didn’t have a lot of faith in humanity. I didn’t believe in myself; I didn’t have people I could depend on locally. I joined Circles and met people who genuinely cared and wanted me to succeed in ways that no one has ever wanted for me before. That was life-changing for me and my family.”

Want to reduce poverty in your community? Circles USA provides all of the training and support your team needs to begin! ® “Circles is one of the best models for long-term poverty reduction I have ever encountered. It is unique because it offers extensive training for both participants seeking economic stability and volunteers wanting to make a difference. Families who want to become economically stable are in the driver’s seat.” – Lynette Fields, Orlando, Florida Circles Inquiry Find a Chapter