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Circles USA focuses with intent on this Big View topic when we present in the national arena, since benefits

As we continue to deal with the Big View, they're learning about the Cliff Effect and how that affects get the ALICE families involved in the vote, in making decisions, that's how you begin to change the Big View—to really begin to address those systemic barriers.

Ableism, Poverty and Big View “Systems Transformation” In their online resource How To Be Anti-Ableist View Team. The Big View Team tackles issues such as affordable housing, childcare, transportation, healthcare, financial View Teams address, bringing to bear many tools such as community organizing , civic engagement , and View, our chapters practice community care with empathy from day to day, week to week, at meetings,

Says Sharon Parrott, president of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: “[I]t was a big factor Our Big View Policy Platform (authored by board member Joan Kuriansky in 2020) articulates a clear, actionable list of six key obstacles to prosperity facing working families and how CUSA chapter Big View

state, and federal elections if we are to meet the goals set by Circles families in their personal and Big View  work.   coalition-building to drive voter engagement can plant the seeds for future partnerships in tackling Big View policy issues at the local, state, or national levels.

As election day approaches, Circles USA and people throughout the country are deciding the role they will play in some of the most consequential races up and down the ballot in recent times. Those who have the privilege to vote will determine the values, policies, and leaders we want to speak for us, and with us, today and in the foreseeable future. It has been exciting to see how many Circle chapters are already involved in educating its members, allies, and candidates about what is at stake for those living in poverty. It is now the time to ramp up our GOTV (Get Out the Vote)  efforts like registering prospective voters, phone banking, canvassing or helping folks get to the polls. Most important is to make sure that each and every person in your life votes if they are eligible. Some of our chapters are even offering its members discussion on how to make a plan to vote. It is no exaggeration to say that every vote counts . In recent years, exceedingly small numbers of votes have made the difference in elections up and down the ballot. For instance, Over 90,000 elections on the local level will be held this year. In the most recent election in Chapel Hill, a City Council race was won by 9 votes. In Virginia, the controlling party in its House of Delegates came down to a tie race in one district. Nationally, out of the 158 million votes cast in the 2020 election, about 43,000 votes in swing states (which reflect the largest electoral voting block) made the difference in the outcome of the election. Today, commentators, academics, and leading advocates representing low-income families, people of color, and marginalized communities are exclaiming that people experiencing poverty could be highly influential in the 2024 elections. One of the most prominent voices in this discussion is that of Revered Dr. William J. Barber II, founder of the Poor People’s Campaign and currently an associate director at the Center for Public Theology and Public Policy at Yale Divinity School. In his recently published book, White Poverty , Rev. Barber demonstrates that poor people in the US can be the swing vote  in the upcoming elections. Using a more realistic number than the US government’s definition of who is “poor,” Rev Barber estimates that 43% of Americans are poor or low- income: those who would be unable to afford a $400 emergency based on their basic monthly expenses. Around 135 million Americans live on the edge of poverty. Imagine if even a small percentage of those folks voted for the first time in 2024! In this election year, we have the opportunity to significantly improve the lives of everyday families. Our votes can make it more likely that there will be an increase in access to affordable housing, comprehensive health care like Medicaid, jobs that pay self-sufficiency wages, and support for paid and unpaid caregiving to name a few. These are issues that affect all low-income people regardless of where they live, their race, gender or makeup of their family. The subtitle to Rev. Barber’s book White Poverty ,  is “How Race and Class Can Reconstruct American Democracy.” One of the truths that he uncovers is that there are 40 million more poor white people than black people in the U.S.; while (as tracked by the U.S. Census in 2020) Black Americans had the highest poverty rate by proportion (19.5 percent). Another is that high income folks vote in greater numbers than those who are poor. The Poor People’s Campaign has set a goal of reaching 15 million unlikely low-income voters in 2024.  If we are to succeed, we must reach out, respect, and work together across many lines to support low-income people in leading their communities to get out the vote. For some time now, Circle chapters, staff and board have been learning new approaches to address racism with the intent to expand that learning to other disenfranchised communities. CUSA’s 2024 Our Votes Count Campaign encourages us to make a difference in this election year, reengaging those who have been sidelined and ignored for so long. Whether we are voting for a city council member, state legislator, or President of the United States, let’s make this election year count—and make sure that we all count in it. Joan Kuriansky, Board Chair and former Executive Director of Wider Opportunities for Women (Washington, DC)

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 In subsequent months, we’ll highlight Big View success stories and feature resources on specific issues Get Involved The Big View Advisory Committee is meeting every 4-6 weeks to lead the campaign’s strategy To stay informed, sign-up for our Big View monthly newsletter on poverty research and policy change.

We Take the Big View Each Circles chapter has a Big View Team to tackle systemic change. Each Big View Team: – Analyzes the service gaps and systems barriers that limit economic mobility. Circles volunteers likewise benefit from participation on their Big View Team. The information shared at Big View meetings helped us feel informed and empowered to vote. In Part Two , we feature Big View examples from across the country.

Jewish labor and civil rights advocates The Workers Circle;  Inspiring dispatches from our national Big View Team, from updated Policy Platform core issues and language to powerful new coalitions advocating Please enjoy the 2024 Impact Report, Moving Beyond ; and be sure to stay connected via our blog , our Big View podcast , and our newly-revamped members portal at www.circlesusa.org . 

With a similar idea, Big View teams take actions–large and small–to address the systemic barriers that In Part One , I described the conceptual framework of the Big View: a grassroots “task force” that empowers Testimonials from Circles participants and volunteers revealed how Big View activities develop confidence Since publishing the policy platform, chapters have reported Big View milestones on additional topics To increase visibility for this work, let’s create a compendium of Big View actions in the Circles network

new Chapter curriculum for Circle Leaders, Allies, and Staff Our work on systemic change, including Big View, Cliff Effect, and Poverty Reduction Labs A recap of our 2019 Leadership Conference We thank all

CUSA chapters and Big View teams across the US are tackling one of the most pressing obstacles for families In this blog series, we aim to: Introduce chapters and Big View teams taking bold, innovative actions to alleviate the Cliff Effect in their communities; and Resource readers by sharing Big View media to