Circles USA Network Awards (est. 2014) celebrate the many individuals, families, and chapters doing outstanding work building community to end poverty nationwide. Our 2025 awardees were nominated by their chapters, then selected by our board members  for their exemplary leadership and contributions to the Circles community of practice. We are so pleased and proud to spotlight the winners of our 2025 Network Awards, presented live on day three of the recent Leadership Conference in Ogden, UT. Congratulations, CUSA Network rock stars! Awards lined up for the Network Awards Ceremony at the 2025 CUSA Leadership Conference Longevity Awards Our Longevity Awards celebrate 10+ year milestones in established Circles chapters.  10 years: Circles West Georgia Circles Pratt County, KS Circles Upstate SC Circles Davis County, UT Circles Ashland, VA 15 years: Circles Utah Valley, UT Circles Indy, IN Circles Reno County, KS Circles Jackson County, NC Best Social Media Circles Cobb , GA Social media accounts on high-volume platforms like Facebook and Instagram are fantastic tools for connecting chapters to our larger communities—including the national community of practice. This year we honor Circles Cobb’s great use of social media to uplift and showcase their members’ achievements. Best Data Results Circles Hastings , NE When it comes to tracking progress in members’ journeys from surviving to thriving, numbers count. Circles Hasting’s outstanding data collecting and presenting go above and beyond in visualizing their chapter’s income growth and other key outcomes over weeks and months. Best Newsletter Circles Reno County , KS Over the past two years, Circles Reno County has made significant progress in strengthening their data collection and management practices. They’ve prioritized timely data entry, regularly cleaned up participant status to reflect who is active or inactive, and improved internal processes to keep information accurate and useful. They’re proud of the behind-the-scenes work—labor that ensures the data tells the real story of the families Circles Reno County serves. Best Video "Circles Graduation for Chris" | Circles Salt Lake , UT “When Chris joined Circles initially, she had two people she could call on in a time of need. At graduation, that number had increased to eight! Chris is a single mom who worked diligently with her Allies and Circles staff to identify and address systemic barriers to break out of poverty. She is now well over and maintaining above the 200% of the Federal Poverty Guideline and is an Ally with Circles. We are so proud of Chris, she is an inspiration.”— Chris’s nominator, Circles Salt Lake Outstanding Resource Team Volunteer Taniya Price from Circles Davis County , UT Taniya Price Our 2025 Outstanding Volunteer, Taniya Price, is a Super Volunteer! Her nominator wrote: “As a child, Taniya participated in our children’s program while her mother worked toward her goals through Circles. Today, as a young adult, she has returned—not as a participant, but as one of our most committed volunteers. She gives 15-20 hours each week to caring for the children in our program, bringing warmth, structure, and joy to every interaction. Taniya understands the mission of Circles and the vital role that quality childcare plays in allowing parents to focus on their goals. With a passion for working with children and dreams of becoming a schoolteacher, Taniya already demonstrates the leadership, creativity, and compassion of a great educator. We are grateful to have her in our chapter.” Outstanding Coordinator Kelli Parker from Circles Salt Lake , UT Kelli Parker This year’s Outstanding Coordinator has been nominated not once, but two times! Kelli Parker is a Coordinator with Circles Salt Lake. Kelli’s nominator says, “We are beyond lucky to have Kelli Parker back on the Circles Salt Lake team! Since her return, she has completely lit up our community with her energy, joy, and unstoppable drive. Kelli has grown our volunteer crew by more than 300% and makes every single person feel like they belong whether they’re three years old, seventy-three, or anywhere in between. She has turned our children’s program into something truly incredible... On top of that, she manages interns with ease, keeps our community partners and supporters connected, and somehow always makes sure we’re eating the most delicious and healthy meals at dinner. Kelli is the heart, the hype, and the bright light of Circles Salt Lake.”  Outstanding Coach Rebecca Price from  Circles Davis County , UT Rebecca Price Rebecca Price, our 2025 Outstanding Coach, has also  been nominated twice. Rebecca, another Circles Davis County member, has been with her chapter since the beginning. In the words of her nominator: “Rebecca brings honesty and integrity to Circles Davis County with her quick wit and understanding of the inequity low-income families face. She consistently supports Circle Leaders working to exit poverty in an empathetic and non-judgmental manner. She is passionate about social justice and community empowerment. Rebecca brings a unique and powerful perspective to her role—not only because of her professional commitment, but also because she has walked the very path many of our participants are on. She is not only a coach, but a true example of what is possible through Circles. Rebecca’s journey from participant to coach is a true testament to what Circles stands for—and a source of hope for every family she works with.” Outstanding Allies Bruce and Ann Fillmore from Circles Utah and Heber Valley , UT Bruce and Ann Fillmore Bruce and Ann Fillmore’s nominator calls them “Super Allies,” sharing: “I would not be able to do what I do in the program without their amazing support. They drive an hour each way every Thursday evening; they often bring dinner; they always clean up and put things away; [and] they provide valuable wisdom and support to everyone in our Circles Chapter—in both Utah Valley and the Heber Valley. In addition to all of that, they have helped one of our amazing Circle Leaders have an incredible transition as she went from homeless and hopeless to a beautiful place and space where she now has custody of her two little girls. I am so grateful to these two amazing Allies that do so much for all of us. Their willingness to serve is off the charts.” Outstanding Ally Tyler King from Circles Cobb , GA Tyler King Our second Outstanding Ally , Tyler King of Circles Cobb in Georgia, has brought what his nominator calls “a refreshing sense of humor and a unique ‘out of the box’ perspective to the Circles Cobb familyship, making a lasting impact on both Circle Leaders and the community.” They go on to write: “Tyler’s insight and dedication led us to invite him to join our Board of Directors, where he contributes invaluable firsthand knowledge of Circle Leaders’ challenges and aspirations. Tyler has been a steady, reliable presence for his own Circle Leader and a source of encouragement for many others. He has shared his expertise, generously helping budding entrepreneurs in the group write business proposals and offering practical guidance to grow their dreams. His commitment, creativity, and relational approach make him a truly outstanding Ally and a powerful advocate for the Circles mission.” Outstanding Circle Leader Marcella Patino from Circles Salt Lake , UT Marcella Patino Our first Outstanding Circle Leader , Marcella Patino, is yet another two-time nominee. “Since February 2022,” her nominator writes, “this single mother of 3 has been cheerfully determined to make a better life for herself and her kids than what she grew up with. She courageously sold her dream job—a  cotton candy business into which she'd invested several thousand dollars—to pay off debt and focus on more reliable income as a fingernail manicurist. She obtained scholarships to complete additional training and certifications to further her income and hireability. She's remarkable at finding out about and accessing public resources, then generously sharing these insights with other Circle Leaders, whom she sees through her VERY reliable attendance at Circles on every Thursday evening. She's a credible role model because of what she's gone through and accomplished. And her biggest goal is to be a Circles Ally herself one day. Marcella is a poster child for Circles and how it can change lives!” Outstanding Circle Leader Kellie Rhoades from Circles Utah and Heber Valley , UT Kellie Rhoades with her daughters Our final awardee is Outstanding Circle Leader Kellie Rhoades.   Kellie’s nominator in Circles Utah Valley writes: “Working with Kellie has been an amazing journey. When I first met Kellie, she was in the darkest place I have ever seen anyone. She was homeless and hopeless - she almost gave up but chose not to… Now I am so pleased to report that Kellie is a beautiful mother to her two beautiful daughters that she was able to get custody of this spring. She has a job she loves, a beautiful brand new apartment, and she is working to become the very best version of herself. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Utah County Community Action Services and Food Bank. Someday, Kellie wants to be an attorney, and serve as a voice of hope to women. Kellie is truly an Outstanding Circle Leader and I would love for her to be recognized for her amazing dedication to the Circle Leader Program and putting in the effort to show up as her best self, each and every day!”

Established in 2014, Circles USA Network Awards celebrate the best of what our chapters do out in the world. This year, we received our highest-ever volume of nominations due to the outstanding leadership so many of you demonstrate in your work building community to end poverty. Your excellence has raised the bar; it’s also made choosing standout contributors to the CUSA community of practice both a challenge and a joy for our board members .  Today, we are thrilled to spotlight the winners of our 2023 Network Awards, presented live on day three of the recent Leadership Conference at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Orlando, FL.  Congratulations to all these CUSA Network rock stars! Best Video “Circles NWA: Shaletha’s Story” from  Circles Northwest Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR From its gorgeous production values to its inspiring narrative of Circle Leader Shaletha’s progress in establishing a budget plan to build an emergency fund, this video exemplifies how the medium can highlight chapter accomplishments.  To learn about some of the amazing stories coming out of the first cohort of Circle Leaders and Allies from Circles NWA, or to get involved in Circles, visit Circles NWA’s website at www.circlesnwa.org .  Best Social Media Circles Salt Lake | Salt Lake County, UT “Circles Salt Lake’s social media shows how a chapter can use platforms like Facebook and Instagram to highlight the people and orgs making a difference in your community,” says CUSA executive director Kamatara Johnson. “Their content is balanced and diverse, their events look inviting, and anyone would want to follow a chapter sharing this much new and good information.” Best Data Results Circles Upstate South Carolina | Greenville, SC CUSA Information Systems and Design Manager Courtney Cowan reports that this chapter is “up to date on their Circle Leader progress reports and the general demographic survey. They also have great engagement with their Ally-Staff-Volunteer progress reports with really good feedback. Their data tells a powerful story for their chapter!” Best Newsletter Circles Salt Lake | Salt Lake County, UT Kamatara says of Circles Salt Lake’s newsletter: “As with their social media, Salt Lake is ahead of the curve with great visuals, timely updates on important events and initiatives, clear communication with their community, and lots of feel-good inspiration for their network.” Outstanding Resource Team Volunteer Beth Witten from  Circles Central Florida | Winter Garden, FL Beth Witten has been involved with Circles in Central Florida for 10 years, from the very beginning. She embodies the term Circles Champion! Her roles have included: Hands On Training; Ally; Chapter Coordinator; multiple resource teams; donor; Data and Financial Program Manager; and driver of a multi-year grant, focused on the intersection of domestic violence and poverty, coordinated with Circle Leaders to design a 12-hour course on financial empowerment. Lynette Fields of Florida’s Poverty Solutions Group says, “Beth is a humble and gracious servant leader who has shared countless hours of her time because she believes in the work and outcomes of Circles. She works behind the scenes in a quiet and unassuming way that keeps things moving along. In any given week, you might find her clearing tables, picking up food, driving a Circle Leader’s child to daycare, or designing recruitment graphics. We are so very grateful to have someone who shares her talents and time so selflessly. Thank you, Beth, for being our Circles Champion!” Outstanding Coordinator Emily Gilbertson from Circles Northwest Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR Christina Williams, executive director of Innovative Poverty Solutions, writes: “Emily Gilbertson is a rockstar. She has built a strong volunteer base for the programming at Circles of Northwest Arkansas and cares for them so well. She also is amazing at communicating with our Circle Leaders and Allies. Each group gets a text from her each week to confirm attendance and let them know what to expect for the week.” Emily is a model coordinator, engaging her community in dynamic ways and supporting them every step of the way.  Outstanding Coach Joyce Schoepp from  Circles Sauk Prairie | Sauk City, WI  From Sarah and John Ramthun, leaders of Circles 6:8 : “Joyce has been a part of the Leadership of our Circles chapter from its beginning almost 5 years ago. She goes above and beyond [in] her role as Coach. (For one thing, she serves as coach on a volunteer, unpaid basis!) She personally calls Leaders and Allies during the week as needed to check in on them if they are struggling, need a little extra encouragement, someone to listen to, or need a little kick in the pants to stay on top of their goals and commitments. Sometimes these conversations last for hours and are followed up by check-ins and texts until there is resolution. Joyce is at Circles every Monday, does our interviews, and meets with multiple Matched Circles every week. Everyone knows Joyce has their back and yet she will not let us (staff or Leaders/Allies) slack on our commitments. She wants to see EVERYONE succeed, but will not let you off the hook. Joyce is the perfect combination of tender compassion and loving force to be a Circles Coach and Sauk Prairie is lucky to have her!!!” Outstanding Allies Van and Lauren Schwiebert from  Circles Hilton Head Island | Hilton Head Island, SC When Van & Lauren were asked to provide a statement to support a grant the chapter recently applied for, here’s what they said about Circles and their experience: “We long have felt the need to do something to address economic injustice, but we never knew what we, as individuals, could do or how we could make a difference in the lives of others. Having grown up in nuclear families in suburban New York, we really had no specific comprehension of the causes of poverty and the reasons people have such difficulty removing themselves from that condition. The Circles Program has been a real learning experience for us! Since becoming involved in Circles, we are better informed about the causes, effects, and traumas of poverty. Equally important, we have been able to meet, learn to know, and interact with individuals who are attempting to make a difference in their own lives. Because of our backgrounds, we were not sure what skills or knowledge we would bring to the table, but we have come to learn that simply being there to offer encouragement, moral support, and listening ears can have a positive impact. Through Circles, we have learned about others and their struggles, we have been able to empathize with them, and we have become more aware of how challenges can be addressed and overcome. We think we have gained as much as we have given.” Outstanding Ally Sandi Wallace from  Circles West Orange | Orlando, FL  Sandi’s Circle Leader, Annette Brown, had these glowing words to describe her Ally:  “Unlike previous experiences when volunteers would just tell me what I needed to do, Sandi approached the Circles experience with ‘how can I help you? And ‘what do you need from me?’ Our Matched Circle has had some very difficult and risky conversations; Sandi was willing to see things through other people’s lenses, without criticizing or being judgmental. Sandi is totally committed to the role of being an Ally. She will literally stop what she’s doing to support me, even in my darkest moments. When my cat was hit by a car, she rushed to the animal hospital. When my brother was hospitalized, she was by my side. My life, and the way I see myself, have all changed drastically because of Circles and my Allies.” Sandi is a noted champion for voter education and civic engagement. In fall of 2020, 100% of our chapter attendees told us they voted—some for the first time! In 2022, Sandi expanded her efforts and helped our Circles community to Adopt-a-Precinct. This experience provided team building, community visibility, a deeper appreciation and understanding of how our election system works, and was also an outstanding fundraiser. “It’s easy to believe what you hear others say about poverty,” Sandi says. “But it’s something altogether different when you see the realities of generational poverty with your own eyes. Because of Circles, I now have friends who have battled poverty their entire lives, and they are some of the hardest working, most resourceful people I have ever met. Standing on the outside of the problem pointing fingers doesn’t solve anything. But you can be part of the solution if you get involved with an organization like Circles. We need more people who want to be part of the solution.” Outstanding Circle Leader Carly Maine from  Circles in Columbus | Columbus, GA The video Carly shared with us about her time at Circles speaks volumes about her dedication to excellence: Carly’s determination to move from surviving to thriving saw her move, last year, to a large new townhouse. And, as an Ally, Carly has just seen her first Circle Leader graduate. On top of all that, her daughter is now 22 years old, has a decent job, and has broken the cycle of poverty that held their family for so long. Carly is really demonstrating the intergenerational success of Circles! Outstanding Circle Leader Carmen Gonzales from  Circles Northwest Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR You may remember Carmen from her standing-ovation keynote address:  Carmen recently graduated from her first cohort. During her time at Circles, she bought her first home, changed jobs after being at the same place for over 10 years, made huge strides with her budget, and pursued training to be an advocate for disability rights. She is a strong advocate for her daughter, who has autism. She also spoke on the panel for the Cliff Effect event at Circles of NWA.  Carmen hit the 200% goal and has graduated from the program. She is now serving as a Program Facilitator for their second and third cohorts, being a listening ear and supporter for them, and paying it forward for those who were in her shoes.

At Circles, we know that leadership is more than a natural talent or a paid professional role. It’s the cumulative process of weaving each setback and success we meet into a consistent, goal-focused practice that benefits the whole collective. The more deeply we root our identity in service to our families, chapters, and communities, the more we distinguish ourselves as leaders within these groups striving to move from surviving to thriving.  Circles USA’s new Leadership Development Spotlight series spotlights graduated Circle Leaders who have stepped into challenging service roles at the chapter, regional, and even national levels. Among the most skilled, dedicated participants in the Circles network, these big-L Leaders’ stories offer insights and hard-won lessons guaranteed to inspire us all in our shared mission of building community to end poverty. Good morning! Will you share your name, where you’re based, and the work you do with Circles? My name is Cheyenne Hurt and our chapter is Circles Indianapolis . I have many roles: I am a Member Care Coach, and I guess I would be Interim Director because our Director is on sabbatical right now. I’m also Director of Child Care, and Community Outreach Coordinator and board member. Oh my goodness! So you're all the way in, wearing multiple hats within the chapter and then also governance on top of that. What do you do as a Member Care Coordinator? Member Care Coordinator—or Member Care Coach—is basically what you would [be] once you complete the class we have in between 12-to-18 weeks. During that time, we go ahead and give them a stipend every month. And then we teach life skills. We help out with mental health awareness, financial literacy, budgeting, and then different coping skills as well. So it sounds like a kind of holistic well-being for the members. Yes, definitely. So once they graduate, they have two different people that they can confide in…kind of hold their hands through certain situations that they go through. And if you have any issues or any questions about anything, I get those phone calls, I get those questions, I get those emails. So basically, I'm there as a moral support advocate as well. Going back in time a little bit, how did you become involved with Circles? I started with Circles about two-and-a-half years ago. I was currently homeless, and I was at the Salvation Army here in Indianapolis, Indiana. And a friend of mine at that time had said, “Hey, you know, you work in the community quite a bit. Have you heard of Circles Indianapolis?” And I was like, “No, what is it?” And then she was like, “Oh, well, we come to Tabernacle Presbyterian Church, we sit in a circle, and we talk about different poverty issues.” And I was like, “I don't know about that…” But that next week, I went, and I never stopped going. Never stopped. I can count literally on one hand how many Thursdays I've missed in this last two-and-a-half years. What was it that brought you back to Circles? It was the community and the Director, Pastor Marie, as well. It was just being able to walk into an open space and know that there were people like me, that have been through certain things that I've been through in life, or [who] just could relate—whether they were from a higher class or if they were dealing with poverty situations. I just really felt at ease and at home. And with me being the only child, I'm very outgoing; but then I'm an introvert at the same time. When I'm walking into a place, I'm kind of looking around, but I'm still interacting. I felt compelled to go back. And then, because I do community outreach work throughout Marion County here in Indianapolis, I was like, “Wait a minute! I volunteer with all these other organizations, and none of them know about Circles…how can I bridge that gap?” So that's what I started doing. And then after I bridged the gaps in between the organizations that I was already working with, I just started branching out throughout Indianapolis with it. What were your financial goals starting out as a Circle Leader? I was working as a Project Coordinator for the Alzheimer's Association, which was just basically a fancy title for saying, like, intern work. So I had income, but I was just coming out of a space where I was healing; and I just kept going to Circles. I ended up advancing at that particular job, so I was making a little bit more money. I ended up moving into my own place [after] about three months after I had joined Circles.  So, I started the class. In that workbook, which was a binder, it had a realistic budget. It had every single thing. I don't drive—I take the buses or Ubers or Lyfts—and then I was eating out quite a bit as well, just due to where I was living at that particular time. So that was making me spend a little bit more money. I noticed that, yeah, I needed to buckle down. I had income coming in [but] I was stressing out. And when I looked at that budget, I was like, “Oh, wait a minute, so you can afford this and that, and you still haven't moved yet…?”  On August 20th, 2015, my mom passed away. Me and my husband and all of our kids—which is a combined total of six—had moved into her apartment to take care of her. My mom was never really good with finances, but she always had a good job. So that's what kind of kept us afloat in that middle class working family. When she passed away six months after that, that's when I filed for a divorce from my husband. And that's when my journey [started].  I did have a barrier against me because of my ex-husband's credit issues and stuff like that. Certain things had occurred while we were in the process of getting a divorce, and that occurred on my  credit, too. So that wasn't my own personal negligence; it was just a rollover. And it's kind of hard to tell someone, “Hey, I'm having issues financially because of someone else—not necessarily of my own doing.” So a lot of doors closed because they were like, “Well, is he still in your life?” And I'm like, “No, I don't even know where he's at. I'm just trying to get him to sign off on these papers.” I was at a low financially. When I got my apartment, it was kind of hard at first, because that was honestly my first time ever having my own place in my own name. So I was scared of that. They say that first six-to-12 months is kind of hard when you're coming out of such situations.  I thought that I had it all. I thought that everything was fine. And mentally, I was in such “go mode” that I didn't know that I was even grieving! I was grieving the loss of my mother, I was grieving the loss of my marriage. I thought that I had a certain amount of money that was saved and I was going to be able to make it. But being naïve, not checking credit and checking to see what my husband was doing at that particular time… it felt like I just ran out of everything.  I stayed hopeful and I kept God first. I tried to make sure [my kids] knew that, whatever we were going through, it wasn't their fault and that I got this. It was times that my son looked a little discouraged; and I didn't want him to do anything  to try to help, if you get what I'm saying. So I made sure to keep things afloat as much as I could. But it just seemed like I would get so far, then I’d start helping people and get knocked back down. I had to realize that my  goals in life and everyone else's are not the same. I took the time and had to realize that, you know what, Cheyenne? You gotta make a stand for yourself. So I got a notebook out and I wrote down what I wanted to do. I wanted to make sure that I knew at least three of them were going to go to college. I needed to make sure that I was secure enough that I could put them through college some way, shape or form, because I knew that my ex wasn't going to be able to help. It didn't matter where I lived; I didn't care if it was an apartment, a house, a shoe…just that I was able to go ahead and maintain it no matter what ended up happening. And I just wanted to make sure that I was there financially if the other kids ended up having kids early, too—to make sure that if they had anything that came about, I would be their first point of contact. Those were my first financial goals.  My Director, Pastor Marie, and the Member Care Coach at the time (Heidi) really, really, really, really kept me grounded and I just stayed under them. They let me know that “You got this”. And this is where I'm at now. You’ve assumed so much responsibility in your chapter and the organization, and you've come really far in a short period of time. How have your financial goals changed since a few years ago, when you were just starting out with Circles? Well, my financial goals have really, really changed. At first it was just trying to maintain to a good year. I’d graduated from class. So probably about six months after that, I started really saving. I started cracking down on my budget and making sure that I was making conscious financial decisions—not just for me, but for my family. My kids are older: my youngest is 17, my oldest is 25. And I got a few grandkids sprinkled in between there, as well.  And I wanted to make sure that they had some type of financial stability. I wanted to make sure that I was the best role model that I could be towards my family. So that really made me want to go ahead, buckle down with financial security, and teach them financial security and literacy. What are some wins in your life that you'd like to celebrate? My win in life is just being able [to] feel like I can breathe again. I felt that I was carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders. I felt that, you know, my back was against the wall for the longest time. And I felt like I kept on going in this circle. I was kind of bled dry at that point. I'm literally at the homeless shelter and I'm helping with finances and their households. Heidi was like, “You gotta set some healthy boundaries for yourself. You need to write them down.” I had to take a step back and was like, “Okay, Cheyenne, okay, kids, this is what mom cannot do anymore.” I wrote down five things that I wanted to do [financially]: Really analyze who you're giving to ; know what you're giving  for ; how  much  that you can give…. And do not stress yourself out about what you can or cannot give. That helped.  At first it hurt me to say “No.” [But] throughout this whole time of homeless shelters, staying at people's houses with the kids, kids moving out, no one really knew what my financial situation was. Because I guess I kind of made the struggle look good in a way. But then when I started being verbal, then that's when everybody was like, “Oh, I could have helped you.” How could you have helped me when I  was helping you ? So I realized who was in my corner and who wasn't. And Circles really, really, really helped me with that. Circles helped me create a healthy identity for myself, and let me know that it's okay to go ahead and say “No.” It's okay to put yourself first. In life, when you're trying to get to the top, it gets kind of lonely and your mind will sometimes get the best of you. But that's why Circles is there: for that social capital, that community, to go ahead and lift you up. What are some things that you might say to someone who is in the position now that you were in years ago, if they're hesitant about starting out in Circles? That your situation is real and what you're going through is real. There's times that you're on that Cliff Effect  of life, whether if that's financially or mentally. But just make sure that you stay true to yourself. Know that the Circles program does  work. But it is a process.  In life, when you're trying to get to the top, it gets kind of lonely and your mind will sometimes get the best of you. But that's why Circles is there: for that social capital, that community, to go ahead and lift you up. Sometimes you have to dig deep for yourself. A lot of times we feel as if we are healed because we go to work, we take care of loved ones. We still may have a social life. But a lot of that is a cover-up to not deal with what the root problem is. Circles helps you get back to what that root problem is, and they help you gain knowledge of so many different things [that] lift you up and build you.  The Allies that I've had with Circles were the perfect match. Complete opposite sides of the track. But when we talked, we had similarities. One of my Allies’ mom was going through terminal illness; I went through that with my mom. So not only were they helping me, but I was able to help them . My first Allies were husband and wife, and were just beautiful. There was a time when I had to move immediately. They were there in their truck, 11 o' clock at night. We're going to hotels, looking, figuring it out. I've spent time with them outside of Circles. I've been to their house, and we just laughed and talked about life. They just had their baby, thank God, she's so cute. And I was one of the first people that they contacted—and they're not even my Allies anymore!  All of our Allies that we have in our Indianapolis chapter, they are just really down to earth. Everyone blends so well together that it's just a family. Those weekly meetings gave me something to look forward to. It wouldn't matter if a bill would come up five minutes before the meeting got ready to start; I could talk about what's going on. I can bump ideas off of people. I can speak with people that have been in that situation. [Some] haven't been in that situation, but everybody is biased and it all comes from the heart and it comes from love. At first it will be intimidating, because we always think that we're the only person on our own. But there are so many people out here who go through similar situations, from all walks of life.  Circles is amazing. Circles has literally changed my life and it's changed my kids' life. My daughters, they've participated in poverty simulations that we hosted. My oldest daughter helps me with the resource fairs that we participate in here. And the Sneaker Ball that I host here, my kids help from start to finish, setup to tear-down. It's like, “Wow, Mom, you're really doing something that's impactful.”  When I stepped up to take on all these roles, really what motivated me was Pastor Marie, our director, and my mom. [When] we had the two-hour wake for her funeral, 472 people signed my mom's book. I was like, wow, my mom was an alcoholic. My mom was a gambler. But my mom had a good heart. And it took for her to pass for me to realize how great of a mom my mom was in this community. I want my kids to be able to see how great their mom is while she's alive, you know? That right there, that's what keeps me going. So that's what I would tell them. Circles works. And I'm living proof of it. Read the other installments in our Leadership Development Spotlight series: Cody Martenesen: Circle Leader to Chapter Coordinator | Circles Utah and Heber Valley Sarah Haworth: Circle Leader to Executive Director | Circles Reno County Susan D Richards: Circle Leader to Board Chair | Circles Ashland Building Community to End Poverty in 25 States Make an impact across the nation with a gift to Circles USA .

The sun sets over a Washington DC skyline as leaders gather for the inaugural Circles Salon (Photo by Justin Taylor) Circles USA is proud to announce the launch of our new Circles Salon Series : a quarterly gathering of thought leaders, changemakers, and community partners from across the nation. These Salons are designed to spark dialogue, deepen collaboration, and accelerate solutions to the complex systems that keep people trapped in poverty. Our first Circles Salon  met on October 8, 2025, in Washington, D.C., with a focus on the Cliff Effect . This term describes the punishing loss of essential benefits like childcare, housing, or healthcare when families experience small increases in income. Our Salon was the capstone event of the Beyond the Cliff coalition’s Hill Day , sponsored by the Cliff Effect Coalition  and the Martha O’Bryan Center, where partners engaged with policymakers earlier in the day. As part of the coalition, Circles USA was joined by Circles Salt Lake and Poverty Solutions Group (lead organization for Circles Central Florida) during this powerful week in DC. At our Salon, Circles was thrilled to welcome 22 leaders representing 14 organizations across all six sectors of community life: education, philanthropy, faith, government, nonprofit, and business . Their presence demonstrates the power of social capital in action, as diverse organizations unite around a shared commitment: building a social safety net that supports, rather than punishes, economic mobility and connects key decision-makers to real people experiencing poverty. The Circles Salon was a pivotal event for the organization. Circles was able to convene people representing multiple sectors and stakeholders that have a national reach. Additionally, we were able to share thoughts and strategies on the Beyond the Cliff policy agenda that was recently released after 18 months of gathering data, evidence, and stories. I was thrilled to be a part of such a momentous evening! — Lynette Fields | Executive Director, Poverty Solutions Group Kamatara kicks off the evening with a brief welcome, grounding participants in the key issue for the night: The Benefits Cliff.  (Photo by Justin Taylor) Coalition building is one of the most powerful vehicles we have for systems change. When people and organizations come together across sectors and differences, we move from isolated efforts to collective impact — and that’s how we move the needle on poverty in this country. — Kamatara Johnson | Executive Director, Circles USA After connecting with the whole group, participants broke into smaller groups to share their perspective on the Cliff from their area of expertise.  (Photo by Justin Taylor) The series represents an intentional next step in Circles’ work: convening cross-sector thought partners and action leaders to bring new insights, bold ideas, and shared solutions into the national anti-poverty movement. The Circles Salon created space for honest connection and collaboration. And that’s where real systems change begins. Being in that room reminded me what real community looks like: people from every sector, each bringing their own experience and heart, coming together with a shared commitment to change what’s not working for families. When we build community across lines of policy, research, and lived experience, we create the foundation for lasting impact. — Michelle Crawford | Executive Director, Circles Salt Lake Each small group offered Circles USA important feedback related to potential policy actions to mitigate the Cliff.  (Photo by Justin Taylor) Looking Ahead Quarter 1, 2026:  Our next Salon will be held online , expanding access to partners across the country. Quarter 2, 2026:  We’ll gather in person  again with details to be announced. We invite you to be part of this growing movement. Whether in Washington, online, or in future gatherings, your voice and vision are critical to reimagining systems so every person has the opportunity to thrive. Stay tuned for more details on how you can join the conversation — and the coalition — through upcoming Circles Salons. Building Community to End Poverty in 25 States Make an impact across the nation with a gift to Circles USA.

Stepping into the role of executive director, I have been overwhelmed with such a wave of support and love from our chapters, friends, families, and colleagues. I’m humbled, honored, and grateful for this opportunity to expand into a new level of service for Circles. For those of you wondering how I got into Circles, here’s a piece of my story followed by some goals as I look to the future. My Circles journey began on Easter of 2018, the symbolism of which is not lost on me. Scott Miller, founder and then-CEO of Circles USA, approached me after Sunday service in our spiritual community and asked how I felt about my job; I had a great energy that would serve Circles USA well. At the time, I was drowning in a 60-hour work week as a school teacher with a child in and out of Children’s Hospital, hanging on to my marriage by a thread and our house down to the penny. I was in crisis. Clearly, I was ready to take my life back.  So we started small, Scott and I, just to see if we got along and if I really could bring value to Circles USA. By the summer, I was part-time, and by the fall, I ended my 23-year career in secondary education and joined the Circles USA team as the Chief Learning Officer. Scott mentored me patiently that first year, trusting my skill sets and helping me to gain confidence as a nonprofit professional. I learned that my English teacher skills were essential as I worked closely with board member Jennifer Pelling and advisor Sherri Nee to create and edit the new CUSA curricula for Circle Leaders, Allies, and staff. My facilitation skills were honed as I stepped into leading Hands-on Training: at first in person and later with the pandemic, converting the training into an interactive, online experience. My coaching skills have deepened as I’ve worked with chapters across the United States. My creativity and innovation have fired up as I’ve redesigned our regular communications, trainings, and support systems for chapters. One of my favorite memories of Circles so far is the 2019 Leadership Conference in Greenville, South Carolina. I had never curated a conference before, but working with Jamie Haft from CUSA and Bruce Forbes and Mendi Knisley from Circles Upstate SC, made it all come together for a power-packed, inspirational conference. The keynote speakers, the sessions, the host site, and the food were great; but the best part was the intangible sense that we had shifted from a loosely tied network of chapters into a heart-connected community of practice. I loved every minute of our time together and knew I had found my right livelihood. Then, when the pandemic hit in 2020, our community of practice rallied to support each other as we shifted our activities online. Together we discovered how the chapters could respond in agile ways to new needs—not just of Circle Leaders, but also of Allies, staff members, and other volunteers. Because we had the relational foundation in place, our staff and volunteers across the U.S. and Canada had the strength and creativity to persevere. Kudos to the countless people who continued to make Circles happen and to the Circle Leaders who made progress even during the pandemic.  Now, four years into my Circles journey, I continue to be inspired by individuals who have taken back their lives and communities that have taken back their power to co-create a more inclusive, life-affirming, empowering place that fosters prosperity for all. I realize now that I personally have benefited from this transformative work, having made it out the other side of my crises. Our finances, marriage, home, and health are all now secure. I moved from surviving to thriving with Circles as my home base of livelihood and mindset. I took back my life and found my power again. I am so grateful for this life and the work I get to do. As I step into this new role as Executive Director, I continue to be firmly committed to supporting our chapters with the best resources and relationships possible. I look forward to enhancements such as growing the cultural relevance and inclusivity of our Spanish-translated materials and exploring youth metrics to prove our 2-Gen success. I’m excited to see what innovations come from our Poverty Alleviation Systems work which will benefit all of our member communities.  Working with Circles the last four years has been a transformative journey for me, to say the least. As I share at Hands-on Training for new staff, Circles is not for the faint of heart because it WILL change your life no matter your role in Circles. So, here’s to our future as we continue to intentionally co-create that transformative Circles journey for ourselves and our communities together.

This December, Executive Director Kamatara shared CUSA’s work and mission at an Economic Mobility Summit hosted by Palm Beach County Community Services in West Palm Beach, FL. The Summit, which gathered government and nonprofit poverty alleviation specialists from across the Southeast region and U.S., was the first annual convening of the Securing Our Future Initiative (SOFI). SOFI “seeks to move community stakeholders in bold new directions to address poverty by laying the foundation for a comprehensive, integrated system of social supports that will empower families as they advance economically.” [ source ] According to organizers, the Securing Our Future Summit aimed “to increase awareness about how various health and human services organizations are promoting cross-sector alignment.”   Kamatara’s talk shared Circles USA’s decades of experience and the evidence that shows: intentional relationships improve pathways for upward mobility for low-earning workers. Families experiencing poverty have limited social and human capital to support their opportunities to advance economically. Yet research has shown that these social networks can significantly improve an individual’s prospect to become financially independent. Relationships are clearly the keystone in the Circles model of success. SOFI’s Summit drew on the poverty alleviation practices of around 450 attendees and 11 sponsoring organizations. Participants addressed topics including safety and justice, health and wellness, food and hunger, employment, childcare, housing, education, transportation, and technology. Keynote speaker Raj Chetty (Professor of Public Economics at Harvard University and Director of Opportunity Insights ) and panelist Dr. Camille Busette (Director – Race, Prosperity, and Inclusion Initiative, Brookings Institute ) discussed leveraging social capital networks to advance economic mobility. Exploring economic connectedness and its association with upward mobility, Chetty and Busette asked: Can an individual’s social network be a factor in their ability to earn more and achieve the American Dream? And can socially connected communities provide a pathway out of poverty?  Balancing these global and national policy perspectives, 19+ local and regional cultural workers from the nonprofit, higher education, and public sectors spoke on topics impacting Palm Beach, Florida, and the Southeast. Notable speakers at the SOFI Summit included Kemberly Bush, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Pathways to Prosperity; Florence French Fagan, Southeast Senior State Organizer, Bread for the World; Tiffney Marley, Senior Vice President, Practice Transformation at Community Action Partnership; Mighty Fine, Director of the Center for Public Health Practice and Professional Development, American Public Health Association (APHA); and Josh Kirschenbaum, Chief Operating Officer, PolicyLink.  Kemberly Bush from Pathways 2 Prosperity (P2P), which is the lead organization for Circles West Palm Beach County, FL , said, “Being a part of Palm Beach County’s Economic Mobility Summit was amazing, particularly the ‘standing room only’ Social Capital and Employment breakout session with Circles USA. This session allowed community leaders, residents and national experts to have real dialogue about the Circles Model and the value of being connected and using our connections to offer a hand-up to put others on a path to economic empowerment and sustainability.  Thank you, Kamatara, for your energy, expertise and guidance on poverty solutions!”

National coalition convenes in DC with solutions for the benefits cliff impacting millions of families with low income. Recommended reforms from Beyond the Cliff would enable  more families with low income to advance economically Beyond the Cliff Coalition Members in Washington DC, October 2025 [Washington, DC] (October 08, 2025) – Circles USA joined Beyond the Cliff (BTC), a coalition of more than 50 organizations from across the nation, in Washington, DC early in October to release recommended reforms to address the benefits cliff : a major barrier to upward economic mobility for millions of families nationwide. BTC’s Policy Agenda, developed in collaboration with coalition members, advocates, policy experts, and individuals directly impacted by the benefits cliff, outlines a set of six policy recommendations to support economic mobility for working families as they transition off public benefits. Kamatara Johnson, Circles USA’s Executive Director, shared: “Working with this coalition that includes organizations at the local, state, and federal level has been so affirming of the work we already do at Circles. It’s inspiring to expand our response to the Cliff. Launching a national Big View campaign was a big goal for Circles USA, and this coalition supported our efforts to go BIG on the Cliff.” Kamatara Johnson (Circles USA's Executive Director), Michelle Crawford (Circles Salt Lake's Executive Director), and Lynette Fields (Poverty Solutions Group's Executive Director) represented Circles at the gathering. "Launching a national Big View campaign was a big goal for Circles USA, and this coalition supported our efforts to go BIG on the Cliff." — Kamatara Johnson Circles USA Executive Director What is the benefits cliff? The benefits cliff (which Circles calls the Cliff Effect ) occurs when increased income for workers receiving government assistance (like SNAP, Medicaid, and childcare subsidies) causes greater financial losses to their overall household budget. This punishes individuals for working hard to get ahead and leaves them worse off financially. More than 127 million Americans receive at least one form of government assistance, and nearly one in four workers receiving are estimated to have reduced hours, turned down a promotion or quit a job to avoid the benefits cliff. This represents millions of workers unable to advance in their careers, build stability for their families, and contribute fully to our economy as taxpayers. To address this issue and help families move forward economically, Circles is committed to supporting Beyond the Cliff. Our coalition recommends the following reforms for policymakers: Modify how government assistance is reduced as earnings increase. Increase asset limits to enable families getting assistance to save for emergencies and for long-term financial goals such as the purchase of a car or home. Align the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to support the transition off public benefits. Remove government silos that hinder coordination and innovation designed to promote economic mobility and solve for benefits cliffs. Connect those getting public assistance to true career opportunities that offer self-sufficiency wages. Ensure government assistance program service delivery is client-centered and focused on long-term economic success.  Link to Full Policy Recommendations "There is growing bipartisan support for change that aligns government assistance with the realities of achieving financial stability and opportunity." — Keith Barnes Senior Director of Beyond the Cliff at the Martha O’Bryan Center Keith Barnes ( Senior Director of the Beyond the Cliff Coalition) presents at the Benefits Cliff policy briefing. “The Benefits cliff is a major barrier to economic mobility for families accessing public benefits like SNAP, Medicaid, housing assistance, and childcare subsidies,” said Keith Barnes, Senior Director of Beyond the Cliff at the Martha O’Bryan Center. “When increased earnings result in a sudden loss in family stability, it can disincentivize hard work and discourage advancement. That’s why there is growing bipartisan support for change that aligns government assistance with the realities of achieving financial stability and opportunity.” Michelle Crawford, Executive Director of Circles Salt Lake and Circles Regional Coach, added: “For the families we walk alongside, the benefits cliff isn’t just a policy issue - it’s something they face every time they make progress toward stability. Parents are forced into impossible choices between a small raise and keeping Medicaid coverage, food on the table, or childcare they can afford. Through Beyond the Cliff, we’re lifting those voices and working together toward systems and policy change that make it possible for hard work to truly pay off.” The coalition’s policy recommendations come at a critical moment as recent changes to federal law have impacted investments in means-tested public assistance programs, and the country faces significant workforce challenges. In visiting DC, Beyond the Cliff is calling on federal policymakers to embrace policies that strengthen economic opportunity and improve well-being for families, make improvements to already existing public assistance programs, and create opportunities for family-sustaining careers. Coalition Member Anne Kandilis (Executive Director of Springfield Works) speaks with Massachussetts Congressman Richard Neal, who offered his perspective on the current political landscape. About Beyond the Cliff Beyond the Cliff is a network of practitioners focused on eliminating benefits cliffs through policy and innovative solutions that ensure all individuals and their families have the resources and opportunity to work and advance economically. The coalition of more than 50 organizations includes state and local governments, nonprofit organizations, and collaboratives from across the country. Beyond the Cliff is convened by the nonprofit Martha O’Bryan Center. Learn more about Beyond the Cliff at www.beyondthecliffcoalition.org Read all about benefits cliffs, then share this information in your community with our free, downloadable Cliff Effect one-pager ! For more information on Circles USA—including how to start a chapter where you live—please visit circlesusa.org .

In preparation for next week’s 2025 National Leadership Conference in Ogden, UT , Circles USA Board Members Joan Kuriansky, Jim Masters, Peyton McCoy, Jennifer Pelling, Jennifer Brown, and  Van Green joined us virtually to chat about their roles on the CUSA board, their advice for weathering these turbulent times, what they’re looking forward to at the Conference, and more. Watch their videos below! Joan Kuriansky Board Chair and former Executive Director of Wider Opportunities for Women Washington, DC Jim Masters Board Treasurer and President of Center for Community Futures Berkeley, CA Peyton McCoy Board Member & Executive Director of 31st Cares, Inc. Richmond, VA Jennifer Pelling Board Member & Director of Tsuha Foundation Austin, TX Jennifer Brown Board Member & Program Outreach Coordinator for Heart Math Tutoring Charleston, SC Van Green Board Member, Director & Founder of "Universal Soldiers" Men's Group, and Collegiate Basketball Coach Sacramento, CA Building Community to End Poverty in 25 States Make an impact across the nation with a gift to Circles USA.

We’re offering something powerful (and deeply needed) at this year’s Circles USA Leadership Conference : our first-ever national Cliff Effect Day on  Tuesday, October 21 st . This day-long event will launch in the morning with multiple mini-keynote addresses from Circle Leaders, who will share their personal experiences and transformative journey with attendees. We’ll follow the keynotes with three breakout sessions related to different aspects of the Cliff Effect ; build momentum with an inspirational lunchtime address on the Cliff from our sponsors at Weber State University ;  and finish the day with a panel conversation that confronts head-on this complex, painful, often invisible problem in poverty work and public policy. We all know the stories: people fighting their way out of poverty, guiding their lives and families toward greater economic stability—only to be pushed back by ceilings in the very systems supposedly designed to boost workers. Sometimes the Cliff Effect is triggered by seemingly minor economic shifts: one extra hour of work. A slight pay raise. Just enough to cross an income threshold that triggers a loss of eligibility for crucial benefits. The net gain? Sometimes zero…or worse. Any sudden rise in earnings can leave workers without childcare, housing, transportation, food, or healthcare subsidies. Circles USA’s first-ever Cliff Effect Day will probe strategies and stories from chapters across the country, spotlighting leaders with vital experience navigating benefit cliffs. By attending this day, you’ll leave with: New awareness  of the real-world, human cost of policies that don’t account for the Cliff Effect. Concrete ideas  from Circles members and partners who are mitigating this system with programs, policy adjustments, and strategies that do  reduce cliffs. Action inspiration  in the form of tools , frameworks, and partnerships you can carry back to your community to spark change. Our  breakout sessions (aka the Cliff Effect Track) will   include: Cliff Effect 101, Bridging the Gap: Understanding the Cliff and Moving Beyond It , presented by Kamatara Johnson, Circles USA Executive Director, and Michelle Crawford, Circles Salt Lake Executive Director  Cliff Effect 102, Employer Strategies and Tools to Navigate the Cliff , presented by Alex Ruder with the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta Cliff Effect 103, Current Research, Promising Policies, and Coalition Building , presented by Keith Barnes with the Martha O’Bryan Center , and Nic Dunn from the Sutherland Institute . Cliff Effect Day will conclude with a panel discussion  that brings together national researchers, state policy advocates, community-based practitioners, and people with lived experience to share what’s working, what’s emerging, and where we must focus next. This dynamic conversation will focus on bridging local action with national momentum to ensure families can truly move beyond the Cliff. Meet our Panelists: Nic Dunn   serves as Vice President of Strategy and Senior Fellow at Sutherland Institute, where he leads policy research, coalition building, and public advocacy for policies that strengthen opportunity and upward mobility, including social safety net reform. Michelle Crawford  is the Executive Director of Circles Salt Lake , where prior to stepping into her position in 2022, she served as a volunteer in various capacities since the chapter’s inception in 2017. Professionally, Michelle strives for positive results through the application of her abilities in leadership and effective communication. Michelle is passionate about helping people learn and grow, and possesses an aptitude for optimizing relationships and motivating others.​ Michelle is a Regional Coach  for Circles USA's western region, supporting chapters in Utah, California, and Nebraska. Keith Barnes  is the Senior Director of Beyond the Cliff, an initiative of the nonprofit Martha O’Bryan Center focused on eliminating the benefits cliff through policy and innovative solutions to ensure individuals and families have the resources and opportunities to advance economically. Keith holds a Master's in Community Development and Action from Vanderbilt University and has served as an AmeriCorps VISTA and as a VISTA Leader. Lynette Fields  is the Executive Director of Poverty Solutions Group (PSG) that serves three counties in Central Florida. PSG is a  collaborative organization committed to sustainable poverty reduction. Based on emerging best practices, PSG empowers individuals and households to achieve economic stability and engages the broader community to address systemic barriers that perpetuate community-wide poverty. Alexander Ruder  serves as an Assistant Vice President on the Atlanta Fed's Community and Economic Development team. His work covers a range of workforce development topics, including effective marginal taxation rates (benefits cliffs), trends in labor force participation, occupational mobility, and the future of work. Annette Cummins from Circles Weber County, UT, offers a powerful perspective with the lived experience of the Cliff Effect. Annette is a former Circle Leader (and now Circles Ally) who has mentored many new Circle Leaders as they progress towards economic self-sufficiency, using her own experience and insights with navigating the benefits cliff. Worsened by inflation, rising housing costs, unpredictable job markets, and thin margins hurting many low-income households, the Cliff Effect isn’t a rare occurrence; it's a pervasive risk that impacts those who would, could, and should be advancing in our communities. Moreover, the people who pay the highest price of these cliffs are often those already marginalized. Women, people of color, parents, and people with health or mobility challenges are all disproportionately affected by the Cliff Effect. We can’t talk about poverty alleviation without talking about fairness. Our goal at Circles USA has always been to link people with the tools, relationships, and supports they need to move forward. Cliff Effect Day 2025 aims to help us design better pathways—ones that reward progress, reduce discouragement, and prevent “trapdoors” in policy—while supercharging chapters’ power to reverse these trends wherever they arise. Join Us at the National Leadership Conference—Register Today! Learn more here  and join us for the whole conference or just for Cliff Effect Day. Select “Inquiry Track” to have access to the conference all day Tuesday. Let’s come together at the Circles USA Leadership Conference in 2025 to share stories, roll up our sleeves, and commit to building systems that encourage the climb—not punish every step forward. Together, we can make sure the “cliff” becomes a bridge to thriving families and thriving communities. Are you following Circles USA on social media? Stay tuned for live updates and valuable insights from the conference all week long! Special thanks to Weber State University  and OgdenCAN  for sponsoring this day of the conference. Building Community to End Poverty in 25 States Make an impact across the nation with a gift to Circles USA.

Each Circles USA National Leadership Conference is organized around the expertise and testimonial power of people ending poverty…one community at a time. Our 2023 keynote speakers  set a stellar bar for thoughtful, dynamic leadership-in-action. They ignited attendees’ imaginations, redefined the value of social capital  for Circles members, and sent us home brimming with fresh strategies and frameworks for advancing Big View initiatives  where we live. In anticipation of our 2025 Leadership Conference  this October, we’re introducing the keynote speakers who will be joining us in Ogden, Utah. In this post, meet Chantel Chapman, author of The Trauma of Money and CEO and Founder of the Trauma of Money Institute , which provides compassionate, professional training that explores frameworks for healing both individual and collective trauma—supporting greater financial safety, resilience, and well-being. Learn more and reserve your spot at the conference here. Chantel Chapman, Founder and CEO of the Trauma of Money Institute Chantel Chapman  is a trauma survivor, financial trauma educator, and creator of the Trauma of Money (TOM) Method. Her journey through complex PTSD—and her struggle to change destructive money patterns with traditional financial literacy—revealed a deep link between trauma and financial behavior. This realization led her to study trauma, addiction, behavioral science, and economic systems for years. The result: a groundbreaking method for financial healing and empowerment.   Chantel is the founder and CEO of the Trauma of Money Institute. This internationally recognized certification program has trained thousands of professionals in over 22 countries. The TOM Method is changing how we think about money—not just as numbers, but as something shaped by emotion, experience, and systemic forces.   With more than 20 years of experience in financial education and fintech consulting, Chantel Chapman has taught and developed curricula for several major institutions. These include Humber College, Wilfrid Laurier University, Adler University, and Simon Fraser University. Meet Chantel in this video introduction! Don't miss our 2025 Leadership Conference in Ogden, UT, October 20-23, 2025! Learn more and register here.

At Circles, we know that leadership is more than a natural talent or a paid professional role. It’s the cumulative process of weaving each setback and success we meet into a consistent, goal-focused practice that benefits the whole collective. The more deeply we root our identity in service to our families, chapters, and communities, the more we distinguish ourselves as leaders within these groups striving to move from surviving to thriving.  Circles USA’s new Leadership Development Spotlight series spotlights graduated Circle Leaders who have stepped into challenging service roles at the chapter, regional, and even national levels. Among the most skilled, dedicated participants in the Circles network, these big-L Leaders’ stories offer insights and hard-won lessons guaranteed to inspire us all in our shared mission of building community to end poverty. Please share who you are, where you’re based, and what you do there! My name is Susan. I’m part of Circles Ashland  in Ashland, Virginia. I currently serve as the Board Chair, and I have served in that role since, I think, 2021. Susan, will you tell us when and how you got involved with Circles? Oh, it was…2017? 2018? Wow! It’ll be your 10-year anniversary before you know it. I know, right? And I didn't intend to be this  involved for that long, but I guess it's just, you know, where God's led me. I was there for a year before I had a major situation happen in my family. Circles supported me through all of that, which was awesome. My sister-in-law was in the very first cohort of Ashland Circles. She had been telling me about it for years or whatever and I was just like, “Oh, I'm too busy.” My profession is in human services, and then I have three biological children. At the time they were in grade school; we were doing sports and stuff. Just did not have the time to commit to something like that! So I kind of kept brushing it off. Then in 2017, I was in human services in another locality. I began to realize that some of the issues that we were having financially…well, we were just completely financially illiterate in some ways. We were making pretty okay money, but somehow we were still living paycheck-to-paycheck. It seemed like we were just always fighting an uphill battle.  So I said, “Well, let me try this out. Even if I don't learn anything, I can do some type of community service—I'm just a service-oriented individual. So I put the application in, got interviewed, and then got accepted to the program. I was in the program actively when COVID hit. I graduated during COVID as well. It was a great journey, I would say. I've learned so much about myself as well as, you know, the personal growth that I've gained from being part of the organization. I will say, deeply: Circles helped me get the confidence to be able to go out into the community and advocate for others. You mentioned Service as one motivating factor. When you look back to that time when you were starting out as a Circle Leader, what were your financial goals for yourself and your family? Well, financially, you know, we just wanted to be comfortable. We didn't want to have to live paycheck-to-paycheck; yet we're both working, we're both making money. How is this possible? That kind of was our biggest challenge, trying to navigate all of that—just knowing that we had the capability to be able to do things. We didn't know what that meant at the time. Our kids were teenagers; we weren't necessarily aspiring to own a home. It was something that we had thought about…but it just [didn’t] happen. And part of that was because of our financial illiteracy, you know—not realizing the value of being a homeowner and what that would mean. So as you've progressed from being a Circle Leader to this governance role, how have your goals changed? Well, shoot. Every goal that I set, I achieved…not to be boastful about it!  I wanted a better job. I worked for social services; I actually processed SNAP and Medicaid and different things like that for folks. And I also come from a lower-income environment. So I knew that side of life. But for me, I just always envisioned myself professionally being able to interact with multiple people on a larger scale while being able to advocate for the needs of folks. It was always my goal (or my dream, professionally) to have a job where I was in an outreach position [rather] than behind a desk processing paperwork.  Prior to Circles, I had applied every year for the position that I am currently in since I began work in Human Services in 2014. I could never get in there. I could just never cross that threshold for some reason. But when I started Circles and began learning, growing, and getting help with job readiness, I was able to successfully obtain the position I am in now. My Ally helped me construct my resume and I did mock interviews with our coach. Prior to that, I was traveling for like 30, 45 minutes to go to work. But when I got the position here, I could walk to work if I wanted to—at that time, I was less than five minutes from my job. My title here is Senior Services Specialist from the county, but I interact with all citizens on an information and referral basis. I'm also in charge of a specialized transportation program for older adults and persons with disabilities. And I run that single- handedly. This is something I dreamt of having, you know: the freedom, the closeness to the community.  Then, once I did start to learn about finance and worked with my Ally to craft a realistic and doable budget, my husband and I were like, “Okay, we could own a home. What would that look like for us?” So I began to pursue that. In 2022, we purchased our first home.  Accomplishing all of that [meant facing] a lot of adversity. In 2019, me and my husband took in my nieces and nephews from Pennsylvania. There had been a very traumatic situation in my family that resulted in us having to take custody. And so I'm dealing with that in the [Circles] program, and I'm like, “Wow, how am I going to navigate all of this?” And everyone there just kind of surrounded us with love. We had to travel to Pennsylvania often to go to court to get custody of the kids. I was still working 40 minutes away, but the kids needed to get some extra services and stuff like that. So Circles volunteers would pick up the kids, take them to their appointments, and bring them back home for me while I was at work. It was that kind of support, just always, “Hey, how you doing? How are things going?” And then, once the kids did get here, it was even more of them surrounding us and treating us like family. I’m so, so grateful for that. In the midst of all of that, I still had a lot of successes and I owe that to the program. I will say, deeply: Circles helped me get the confidence to be able to go out into the community and advocate for others. You weren’t kidding when you talked about adversity over many years. What would you say to Circle Leaders who are maybe doubting themselves, or getting discouraged by that kind of long haul?  You know, sometimes I still catch myself doubting myself. I think that, a lot of times, it comes from the environment that we’re raised in…a lower-income environment with a lot of oppression, and just that suppressed mentality of “I can't do better, I won't do better.” Not wanting to aspire for greater things, to do more. But I'm actively engaged with the leaders that we have and a few that we just graduated—as a matter of fact, my daughter just graduated as a leader last year. And I tell them, “Hey, if you have a support network, you can do anything that you want to do. With the right support and the right people surrounding you, you can achieve whatever you set your mind to.” Would you like to share some appreciations for people in your support network? My co-Board members! I'm the youngest one in the room. The other board members are a bit more established in their careers and with their families. We've got an attorney, we've got a real estate agent, and here I am in human services. A lot of times, that'll make you look at yourself as if you're less-than. But this group of individuals saw something in me that I didn't necessarily see in myself, and that was the ability to lead an organization. It was more them pushing me to become Chair rather than me wanting to do it, if that makes sense. I'm just so grateful and so humbled for my journey through the program. And even where I am now, my goal as a leader is to give the same opportunity to the next leader coming in the door that was afforded to me. In turn, they'll be able to achieve whatever it is that they want by having that same circle of support.  Read the other installments in our Leadership Development Spotlight series: Cody Martenesen: Circle Leader to Chapter Coordinator | Circles Utah and Heber Valley Sarah Haworth: Circle Leader to Executive Director | Circles Reno County Building Community to End Poverty in 25 States Make an impact across the nation with a gift to Circles USA.

Each Circles USA National Leadership Conference is organized around the expertise and testimonial power of people ending poverty…one community at a time. Our 2023 keynote speakers  set a stellar bar for thoughtful, dynamic leadership-in-action. They ignited attendees’ imaginations, redefined the value of social capital  for Circles members, and sent us home brimming with fresh strategies and frameworks for advancing Big View initiatives  where we live. In anticipation of our 2025 Leadership Conference  this October, we’re introducing the keynote speakers who will be joining us in Ogden, Utah. In this post, meet Jomaris DeJesus, Executive Director of The Prosperity Agenda (TPA), a Circles USA partner organization  dedicated to equipping human services agencies with participant-centered practices.  Learn more and reserve your spot at the conference here. Jomaris DeJesus (Executive Director, The Prosperity Agenda) MBA, MA, CLC, CPSS Jomaris DeJesus  is a Certified Life Coach featured in The Coaching Gurus Vol. II  for her chapter A Strategic Plan for Your Life . For nearly two decades, she has guided individuals, nonprofits, and businesses toward success through strategic planning and DEI initiatives. Her expertise led her to serve a 4-year term as County Commissioner in Jefferson County, KY in 2020. With a Communications degree from the University of the Sacred Heart, an MBA in Global Management from University of Phoenix, and an MA in Hispanic Culture from University of Louisville, Jomaris has trained numerous expats in cultural adaptation. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Business Psychology at The Chicago School, researching cultural value differences and out-group attitudes. As a speaker and trainer, she has worked with Prosperity Now, Community Action Partners, Catholic Charities, and United Way. Now, she leads The Prosperity Agenda as Executive Director, combining her skills in coaching, strategy, and leadership to drive impactful change. What is The Prosperity Agenda's mission? What do you offer and for whom? As the national administrator of the Family-Centered Coaching framework, The Prosperity Agenda trains front-line staff—the people working directly with families and individuals experiencing poverty—to implement coaching skills that support families in reaching their full potential. We partner with community-based organizations to help them adopt participant-centered approaches that put families at the heart of decision-making. Through training, sharing resources, and collaboration, we work together to build stronger, more resilient communities. How did you come to be with TPA? I wholeheartedly believe I was born to empower people and organizations to solve social justice issues. That has been my personal mission statement for over 20 years. So, I was immediately drawn to the mission of The Prosperity Agenda. I am, above all else, a single mother who has lived and experienced the overwhelming challenges of poverty. I deeply understand the barriers to achieving financial resiliency and personal prosperity that impoverished families face daily. I realized that my years of coaching, both as a coach and a coachee, often dismissed and overlooked by professionals, can be the key element to creating systemic change and empowering people toward prosperity. That transformation requires more than subsidies and social programs. Our program participants learn that they have the power to battle decades of social injustices when armored with Family-Centered Coaching tools. And while my personal insight, professional education and expertise, and survivor’s perspective were born from hard years, they now drive my commitment to developing initiatives that empower individuals and families to live their best lives. What's your message these days related to economic mobility? My message these days centers on shifting the conversation about economic mobility from simply achieving self-sufficiency to achieving self-fulfillment. In my keynote, “Beyond Self-Sufficiency: Self-Fulfillment,” I highlight how two powerful tools, coaching and social capital, were crucial in my own journey toward prosperity. Coaching empowered me to recognize my potential, set meaningful goals, and navigate challenges with clarity and confidence. Social capital provided the network and community support that helped turn opportunities into tangible outcomes. Economic mobility isn’t just about financial stability; it’s about creating a foundation that allows individuals to thrive and fulfill their potential, both personally and professionally. My goal is to show that when we combine these elements, we enable lasting change that goes beyond the basics and toward a richer, more fulfilling life. What excites you about the CUSA Leadership Conference? I'm excited about the CUSA conference because it offers a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded leaders who share a passion for driving meaningful change. I'm honored for the invitation to speak to all of these trail-blazers coming to the conference. I will discuss how coaching and social capital can drive economic mobility and prosperity, moving beyond the traditional focus on self-sufficiency. This conference is a platform to exchange ideas and insights with fellow professionals, learn from their experiences, and collaborate on innovative solutions. I’m eager to meet others who are equally committed to transforming communities and supporting individuals in their pursuit of not just financial stability but self-fulfillment. The chance to deepen these connections and share strategies for advancing social justice and equity is truly exciting. Don't miss our 2025 Leadership Conference in Ogden, UT, October 20-23, 2025! Learn more and register here.