The Circles USA model supports people’s efforts to deepen and expand what they think is possible: for themselves, their families, and their communities. As Circle Leaders reach milestones in their journeys toward financial stability, we document their achievements as Lives Transformed  stories to highlight joy and hope as valuable tools in combating poverty. This year’s Lives Transformed  awardees were nominated from among thousands of exceptional Circle Leaders nationwide. Though their backgrounds and experiences vary, each exemplifies Circles USA’s core values of perseverance, initiative, and service to their chapters and communities. Congratulations to our 2024 Lives Transformed cohort! My name is Carla Alvarado. I was born in Caracas, Venezuela. In my country we were persecuted, threatened, chased, and kidnapped by the people who worked for the Maduro and Chavez dictatorships just because we disagreed with their regimes. My parents went on vacation to the United States in 2018 and, while here, received a call warning us to not come back to our country because the next thing that they would do was to take our lives. My parents decided to stay in Bluffton, South Carolina, and I’ve lived here since then. Carla Alvarado I started my freshman year of high school in Bluffton. It was very scary being the new girl who did not know the language or have any friends or family with me. I was told multiple times that it was unlikely for me to go to college because most of the people “like me” just finish high school, then go on to clean houses or work in construction. But I was fully motivated to become a medical professional. To demonstrate my potential, I had to work three times harder to get out of ESOL [English Speakers of Other Languages] in only six months, getting the highest grade on my English levels. However, this was not enough for my teacher to recognize that I had enough potential to grow as a professional one day.  When I was 15 years old, my dad physically abused my mother in front of my eyes. I felt like everything I knew was going to fall apart. I was devastated because I was in a different country, far away from my close ones, and the only family that I had was breaking up. This went on for two more years of constant abuse. At school, I was at the top of my class and doing great. But I did not want to go back home, and I did not have anyone to talk to at school because my teachers reminded me how different I was, how my accent was changing—reminders of how “grateful” I was supposed to be because I was not in Venezuela. It was hard to feel safe until finally, one night three years ago, my siblings and I called the police on my dad. He left that night and I have not seen him since then. My senior year came around and it was time for me to apply to colleges. I applied to 10 colleges and got into all of them with scholarships included. However, when they checked my immigration status, they told me that I needed to be a permanent resident in order to receive a scholarship. I was told in front of my mom that I was not able to go to college. She was devastated. Carla’s graduation from the Technical College of the Lowcountry I felt like I was not enough for America: I couldn’t go back home, but I also was not welcomed here. I was struggling. Multiple Americans told me that I “needed to go back home”—but they did not know that I can’t go back home. I had no dad now and my mom felt guilty because I could not have a better life. We felt trapped. Months later, I was accepted at Technical College of the Lowcountry [TCL] here in South Carolina. Yet I did not have the ability to pay out of pocket, especially being an international student with no FAFSA eligibility. Once again, it was hard: I had a lot of pressure on my back working two jobs, finishing high school, and seeking higher ed at 18 years old. Carla's Circles graduation with Shavonne Vasquez (Chapter Manager, Circles Hilton Head Island) One of the ladies at TCL told me to go to Deep Well  and see if their new Circles program could help me out. I filled out an application and shortly after received a call for an interview. I was nervous, but they listened to my story. I walked back down to my car feeling very anxious because this was my last chance to pursue a better life. Then, right before getting in, I received the news that I was accepted to the Circles program—and that they would pay for my college education! I graduated from the Technical College of the Lowcountry with an Associate’s Degree in Paralegal Studies; I am currently enrolled in the University of South Carolina Beaufort, pursuing my dream career as a registered nurse. All because of Circles.  My Circles chapter and Allies don’t know this, but they changed my life. They gave me hope and a chance to be someone great. They gave my mom the win she needed to feel like everything she’s done has been worth it for me and my siblings. It opened a door for my little brother: now he knows he can do whatever makes him happy, as long as he works hard. I wish I could repay Circles for everything they did, and continue doing, for me and my family. They are truly a blessing.  Sign up to receive our public newsletters Click the   Give to Circles button  and help us celebrate 25+ years of building community to end poverty!

Circles USA’s National Big View Team, composed of a cross section of champions from chapters across the nation, has updated our 2020 Big View Policy Platform, refreshing our language and our focus on the core issues facing Circles participants. Individuals and families who are working hard, yet struggling to make ends meet, require tools and support to overcome systemic barriers and achieve long-term economic stability. Circles USA knows that whole communities thrive when all people have access to the essential resources and support that lead to upward economic mobility.  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. 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. Enhanced core issues include: 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. Smoothing Benefit Cliffs : Circles USA emphasizes the importance of policy reforms that smooth the transition off public benefits, allowing time  to build stability as incomes increase. Building Social Capital : Many Circles participants lack the support systems and professional networks that are key to financial independence. Policies fostering mentorship programs, community partnerships, and equitable access to resources can fill this gap. Increasing Health, Wellness, and Family Supports : Poverty is trauma and disproportionately  impacts physical and mental health. Affordable healthcare, expanded Medicaid, access to quality mental healthcare, paid family and medical leave, and robust child and elder-care options support the essential wellbeing necessary for economic security.  Supporting Education and Workforce Development : Economic mobility requires accessible pathways to higher education, vocational training, and career advancement. Policies that invest in workforce development directly benefit Circles participants who are working hard to advance.   Elevating Equity and Democracy : Circles USA strives to see each issue through an equity lens and advocate for full access and inclusion to all aspects that lead to the American Dream. We also encourage full participation in and a deepened understanding of the democratic processes that affect all of our lives directly. Circles USA’s policy platform champions solutions that align with the lived experiences of our community members. By focusing on long-term strategies for financial stability and community connection, we support families and individuals to break free from poverty and thrive in their communities. We call on policymakers, community leaders, and partner organizations to join us in addressing the root causes of poverty and advancing systemic change. Together, we can create a society where each person has the opportunity, resources, and support to succeed—one family, one community at a time. Sign up to receive our public newsletters Click the   Give to Circles button  and help us celebrate 25+ years of building community to end poverty!

The Circles USA model supports people’s efforts to deepen and expand what they think is possible: for themselves, their families, and their communities. As Circle Leaders reach milestones in their journeys toward financial stability, we document their achievements as Lives Transformed  stories to highlight joy and hope as valuable tools in combating poverty. This year’s Lives Transformed  awardees were nominated from among thousands of exceptional Circle Leaders nationwide. Though their backgrounds and experiences vary, each exemplifies Circles USA’s core values of perseverance, initiative, and service to their chapters and communities. Congratulations to our 2024 Lives Transformed cohort! J. Cherelle Fleming My mom was a young mom. She had me at 15, so we kind of grew up like sisters. My grandmother basically raised me until she passed away. There were no messages about money: We didn't have a budget, I didn't get an allowance. I was too young to understand paying bills. I really didn't receive messages of financial stability, budgeting or saving. Following a period of active drug addiction during which I had lost everything, I had been referred to Fort Wayne through a therapist assigned to me by DCS. I was reluctant to go, I’d never been there and didn’t know anybody. I came to Fort Wayne just wanting to rebuild my life from the bottom up. Prior to my active addiction, I was in college—just two semesters away from [earning] my bachelor's in social work. So, I'm very familiar with seeking out resources. Due to my run-in with addiction, I had lost my drive to succeed in school, be a parent, work and fulfill any dreams I had. After a while, I knew something had to change.  I started off in a rehabilitation program and then a shelter for a long while. There were a lot of challenges there: trying to keep a cool head when things got tough, staying ahead of the game when things were not looking good and staying focused on my goals, all while living in a community of struggling women just like myself. Not having a car was definitely a big part of the struggle. Being in a city where I didn't know anyone and didn't know how to move around was a challenge. At that point, I found out about Circles and thought, Hey, this would be something interesting to do. Something to keep me busy, distracted, something positive. So I gave it a shot, one of the best decisions I’ve made thus far. My life didn’t transform immediately. I finally got an apartment only to be forced to live in unsafe conditions. After a year of that, I went through about three weeks of homelessness because my new apartment had not been completely approved. Cherelle with children Josiah (15) and Lily (11) I became discouraged a lot along that journey. There were times when I didn't want to go [to Circles meetings] because I felt defeated in life. Like everything was not working, or not going the way that I thought it should go as fast as I’d have it. There were times where I had no one to call. Sometimes, I’d attend Circles and be spaced out, worrying about everything else that's going on. I got refocused because there is so much valuable information in those workshops. Each time I went, it was like, I can't wait to go back. Every now and then, I’d have one of those [bad] weeks and be like, I ain't going! But I had Jackie, my Ally, to come and get me. I would have people call and ask, “Hey, are you coming to Circles this week?” And I'm like, “I hadn't planned on it, but since you called, yeah, I guess so.” I got past those things [by] maintaining a relationship with my God and with Jackie, [who] was definitely all ears as needed…very supportive and understanding. Another thing that I lean on when I'm going through tough times  is my NA community. I am a member of the fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous and I use my support systems. I looked at this open door of opportunity and asked: what's the worst that could happen? Besides, my parents taught me that once I start something, I'm obligated to see it through. My parents encouraged me to go to college, really I didn't have a choice, “You're gonna do this and graduate,” my mom would say. “You take the body, the mind will follow,” was one of my dad’s favorite quotes. If I showed up, whether I wanted to or not, I did my part, and I believed that God would carry me through the rest, so I went and here I am!  Cherelle at a mayoral press conference Right now I’m working on becoming a licensed practitioner in Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling. I will graduate in May 2025 with my second degree. After that, I will be working on a business degree because I want to have the ability to make educated decisions in this  world of business. Then, I want to open up a business— like a resource center where people can come and get information, get referrals to [fulfill] certain needs, whether it be furniture, clothing, food, bus passes, or jobs. Like a community center open to all, but especially men and women in recovery. Eventually, I'll go back and finish that bachelor's, since I'm so close to it. I just financed a car with full coverage insurance, which is the first big adult decision that I've made (aside from stepping into recovery!). In less than 72 months, I’ll have this car paid off and improved my credit. I also plan on saving at least $6,000 and continuing to work [towards] home ownership. Those are my goals for 2025. A lot going on there, but all feasible. To someone who's doubting that they have the strength to succeed in Circles, I would say: simply [have] faith the size of a mustard seed. There's absolutely nothing bad that can come out of participating in this. It's all for self-empowerment. When we become better people, better women, it's easier to become a better mother, a better spouse, a better daughter, sister, and friend. So just get there, take the first step in the right direction. Even just by going there and being present, something's bound to stick.  And even if absolutely nothing happens, Mary Ann’s hugs will get you coming back. Mary Ann [Mings, Executive Director, Circles of Allen County] is an extraordinary type of woman; it’s her bubbly personality, how she's so encouraging. I could think of a time where I was like, “Oh, this isn't going right.” And her smile went away, she got into serious mode, she looked me dead in the eyes and said: “You got this. You can do this.” Then her smile came back and she gave me a big hug. I’m so grateful for her and my ally, Jackie. I’m grateful for my mother, who is also a 12-stepper. She has been supportive of me on this journey, very understanding and open. I want to acknowledge Ms. Janet, my DCS therapist. She was so persistent, so caring, understanding and patient with me, that even when I tried to run away and hopped on a train to Chicago, she called my mom, got the address, came from Michigan,  picked me up from Chicago, drove me to Fort Wayne, and spent the night with me. I’m grateful for my NA family and, most importantly, my God. Without God, none of this would be possible. So I thank God for just loving me and putting people in my life to show me how to love myself again. Circles changed my life! Sign up to receive our public newsletters Click the   Give to Circles button  and help us celebrate 25+ years of building community to end poverty!

The Circles USA model supports people’s efforts to deepen and expand what they think is possible: for themselves, their families, and their communities. As Circle Leaders reach milestones in their journeys toward financial stability, we document their achievements as Lives Transformed  stories to highlight joy and hope as valuable tools in combating poverty. This year’s Lives Transformed  awardees were nominated from among thousands of exceptional Circle Leaders nationwide. Though their backgrounds and experiences vary, each exemplifies Circles USA’s core values of perseverance, initiative, and service to their chapters and communities. Congratulations to our 2024 Lives Transformed cohort! Lesley Stunkel Lesley I was adopted when I was younger. [Because of] my first job, I kind of knew how to budget. But once I met my husband, we just kind of fell on some hard times. I got back with my birth mom and took some classes, went through college. My daughter went through Head Start. At that time we were trying to figure out how we were going to come up with an extra day's worth of meals. So we were like, “Okay, let's just go check Circles USA out.” When we went, they were in the middle of the class. So we just kept coming back for the meals, and finally we got into the class. About that time, Shawn got a job [as a bus driver for special needs children] and was always on call. When he had a call, he had to leave the meeting or whatnot, and I just kind of filled him in later. We graduated from the class and then, [once we became] Circle Leaders, I [built] a side business with cakes and stuff. Instead of going out and buying a hundred dollars’ worth of cake, our chapter basically reimburses me for all my supplies! Lesley Stunkel with her degree Our Allies encouraged me to go back to college to get my Associate [degree] in art. It took me three years just to get that degree because of my disability. So I've got that, now, and I've got a good-paying job so that we're not hurting or struggling or living from paycheck to paycheck.  My daughter’s now 11 and a fifth grader. Her school [hired me]. Since I’ve got this job, I'm able to pay off my debts within the next six months. And the teachers that I work with, the staff there, care about not just my health, but my family's health. A couple years ago our daughter got diagnosed with seizures. She had to be intubated because she just kept having seizure after seizure and we couldn't stop them. That was a very scary moment of our life; we didn't really know what was going on and we were both working at that time. I was still going to college. We were like, “What are we going to do?” It was easier for me to take the whole month off of work. My check wasn't going to be as big, but we always had the support from Circles. They were just a phone call away to help us through the process of our daughter getting better. She hasn't really had a seizure in a year now, which is excellent. She's thriving in her school—the teachers have noticed that she's a different person. And the Circles [people] have noticed, too. We didn't come just for the food. We came there to better ourselves, to better our kids so that they can have a better life. Daughter Rocksane We've been in Circles over five years now and we enjoy it. Our kids even enjoy it. They have a program with four or five different people coming in to watch the kids and [teach] finances. We are going to have our son in the next Circles class [in February 2025]. We've been through three different directors since we've been there, and we still keep going. And the funny thing is, the director that we have now actually was in the same Circle Leader class that we graduated from. So we know, just from seeing her moving up, that the system does work. And that's what we like, seeing that progress.  I was shy at first, but since going back to college, I've come out of my shell. I'm not afraid to tell someone that I've been in their steps before. I have, and we're not here to judge you. We are here to help you better yourself and get you to where we are now. That's what helped us—our Allies who told us, “We are not here to judge you. We are here to help you in any way possible. We're just a phone call, text, or Zoom meeting away. We are here for you.” That's what showed us that they do care. So we're sticking to it. Shawn Stunkel Shawn I’m a native of Hutchinson, Kansas. My dad worked in factories most of his life because, you know, he had no high school education. He quit school in the eighth grade. So we come from no money, basically; I didn't have a silver spoon lifestyle. I had moved to Nebraska in my early 20s to stay with some friends and try to find work. And I kind of hopscotched back and forth between Nebraska and Kansas for, oh, shoot, the next four, five, six years. Lesley and I met in Nebraska. She's from Burlington, Colorado, originally, so it was kind of a chance meeting. We’ve been back in Kansas since 2012. The COVID crisis in 2020 was a struggle. I had lost my mother that March. She was pretty well homebound and had stayed with us for the last six months of her life. Pretty much our entire world had been turned upside down and nobody was meeting because of COVID; and then essentially the entire country shut down. But our Allies stuck with us. They were right alongside us every step of the way. And that meant more to the both of us than going to a meeting every Thursday night. And once we started meeting again in the first part of 2021, it was like we picked up exactly where we'd left off. It's been a long [journey], but it's been well worth it. Shawn with son Austin Over the last few years, Lesley going back to school really bailed us out of a lot of financial difficulties. My job was not near enough to keep the bills paid. I had hoped to put all that money into savings, but circumstances didn't work out. So [it was] like, “Okay, we need to start getting the bills taken care of. We need to keep going as normally as possible with what's going on around us in order to stay the course.” I won't sit here and say that it's an easy process, because it takes a lot of soul searching and a lot of looking within yourself to realize that you are, in fact, flawed. Everybody is going to struggle, but [in Circles] they take such a non-judgmental attitude. You get to go back and start clear, from the beginning. But you still keep your progress. We tailor resources: Okay, you lost your job? Here's the number [for] workforce, here's the number to vocational rehab. We have a network of resources at our disposal to help folks do what they need to do. We're not just gonna shove them out the door.  What's awesome about Circles is how it takes a group of ideas and it makes you search within yourself. Like, “Hey, wait a minute…this is why I'm struggling.” Whether [you’re] addicted to some sort of substance or whatever the case may be, it’s special to know that there's somebody that knows what you're going through. All they want to do is help you find healthy ways to distance yourself from poverty, from being homeless, what have you.  Getting yourself out of poverty—it's not an overnight process. You’ve got to have some sense of commitment. I've seen so many folks come and go from that class or from the organization as a whole, and I've stuck with it. There's been a handful of us that have stuck with it since pre-COVID. And we still go, we still have our fellowship. It helps to have that constant in your life. You’ve got to have some sort of consistency, because once you get yourself out of poverty, you've got to find ways to keep yourself from regressing back to what brought you to Circles in the first place. Without our Circles Reno County community—their guidance, their pushing us to better ourselves—we would have never made it to where we are. It means the world to Lesley and I to have been nominated for this. We hope to continue to do great things for Circles. We can't thank everybody enough for helping us along the way. Not just the Circle Leaders that have come and gone after we graduated, but everybody in the community. They take an interest in what's going on with you as a person. I keep my social life private; it's a little out of the norm for me to intermingle. But since I have, I've thrived so much. Sarah [Haworth], our director, says I've come out of my shell. We're part of several different chapter committees. Lesley's part of the Community Resource Team. We're there for a lot of the recruiting events, not just as potential Allies but to show our support to the organization as a whole. Because without the support of people like us, the Circles model doesn't thrive and we can't get that message out to other areas. I really haven’t set concrete goals for 2025. I'm one of those that takes life one day at a time; I make the best of what cards I'm dealt. But ultimately, I look forward to mentoring the new generation of Circle Leaders coming up. We just graduated three from our last class this past week. I'm hoping to possibly be matched with one of those, but if that's not the case, I'm not gonna quit. I'm going to keep going until I hit retirement age. I can't say enough good things about Circles! Sign up to receive our public newsletters Click the   Give to Circles button  and help us celebrate 25+ years of building community to end poverty!

In this webinar, join Kamatara to reflect on our experiences, accomplishments, and challenges in 2024 and look forward to 2025. She’ll share a sneak peek at our 2024 Impact Report, announce the 2025 Leadership Conference location and dates, and explore the 2025 focus of Moving Beyond… About the Presenter: Kamatara Johnson  is the executive director of CUSA. She holds a master’s degree in organizational leadership, 25 years of experience in secondary education, and a deep connection with our Circles chapters. As ED, Kamatara creates space for collaboration, innovation, and expansion for all the people in our Circles family. Sign up to receive our public newsletters Click the   Give to Circles button  and help us celebrate 25+ years of building community to end poverty!

Circles USA has been banging the Cliff Effect  drum for over 20 years, once it became clear from our families with lived experience that the Cliff was one of the largest obstacles blocking upward economic mobility. As our local chapters and national staff and board members continue to raise awareness of this critical issue, it never ceases to amaze us that many people, especially employers and policymakers, remain unaware. To that end, in 2023, Circles USA produced a brief primer video  to raise awareness on what the Cliff Effect, sometimes called the Benefits Cliff, is. In 2024, our National Big View Team created a one-pager  for advocates that outlines the issue with key definitions, examples, visuals, and talking points for targeted audiences that include employers, policymakers, and community members.  In 2024, Circles USA also joined the National Cliff Effect Coalition  through a grant awarded the Martha O’Bryan Center in Nashville, TN, joining 12 other organizations in an effort to raise awareness, target key responses to mitigate the cliff, and gain momentum together to create an environment for systemic change.  Circles USA’s executive director, Kamatara Johnson, not only served as a panelist online for an Aspen/Ascend Institute webina r on the Cliff, she also presented with Alex Ruder from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta at the Together, We Thrive conference  where many national anti-poverty organizations gathered and learned more about the Cliff from Circles and the ATL Feds.  In a final push to spread the 2024 campaign of mitigating the Cliff, Kamatara spoke as a panelist in a day-long Benefits Cliff Summi t hosted by the Sutherland Institute  and community partners like Weber State University and Circles Salt Lake. The Sutherland Institute has done its share of raising awareness around the impact of the Cliff on people working hard towards economic mobility only to be trapped in the system. On their podcast, Defending Ideas, they twice interviewed Circle Leaders from Circles Salt Lake who shared the lived experience ( 1  / 2 ). Sutherland also released their research report: Strengthening the American Dream . Pulling it all together, the Sutherland Institute hosted the summit which welcomed folks from around the state of Utah and across the United States including partners such as: Dr. Leah Murray, Brady Presidential Distinguished Professor, Political Science and Philosophy DIrector, Walker Institute of Politics and Public Service at Weber State University Nic Dunn, Vice President of Strategy and Communications, Sutherland Institute Dr. Katharine Fuller-French, Director of Community Research, Weber State University Kevin Burt, Deputy Director of Utah Department of Workforce Services Eric Cochling, Erik Randoplh, and Kelsey Underwood form the Georgia Center for Opportunity Keith Barnes from the Martha O’Bryan Center in Nashville, TN Scott Fast, Director of Innovate+Educate in CO Kamatara Johnson, Executive Director Circles USA Michelle Crawford, Executive Director Circles Salt Lake From the Sutherland Institute, “America is the land of opportunity. So how should we respond when new evidence shows that some families actually feel discouraged from working harder for the American Dream? Some families in Utah have limited their economic progression because they’re worried that earning more may trigger something called “benefits cliffs,” which would leave them worse off or stuck in the same place. Attendees at this important event joined us in exploring reforms that can strengthen the American Dream for our fellow Utahns.” Circles USA was proud to contribute to the conversation, offering the national perspective on the Cliff, garnered from our 66 chapters across 26 states and our 25 year history in the anti-poverty arena. Kamatara shares, “It was powerful to connect with different constituencies and political persuasives all at this one event, to hear the common purpose of creating economic and workforce development policies that truly support working people. We all want to keep working people working. Until the system is fixed, that’s not possible for so many low-wage earners who are punished for advancing by losing a disproportionate amount of government support before they are ready. I was grateful to remind folks that systems change is people change, so the call to action is to build relationships, foster communication, and connect employers, employees, and policymakers to have the real conversations we need to make a system that makes sense.” The one-day event was filmed. To learn more about the Cliff at the local, state, and federal level, see the video selection below. Much appreciation to the Sutherland Institute and their partner organizations for holding an inclusive space for the full spectrum of conversations and solution-sharing that only happens when communities are brought together around a common cause.  How families experience benefits cliffs Rep. Blake Moore on benefits cliffs Benefits Cliffs: A national problem Social safety net in action Utah's safety net secret: The 'One Door' model Panel discussion: Beyond the Cliff Circles USA looks forward to more Big View collaborations in the year to come, as we gain momentum on raising awareness and solving critical issues that most impact people experiencing poverty. Sign up to receive our public newsletters Click the   Give to Circles button  and help us celebrate 25+ years of building community to end poverty!

Circles recently   enjoyed a great chat with Kemberly Bush  (CEO, Pathways to Prosperity , the lead agency offering the Circles USA model in Palm Beach County, FL) and her colleague Pastor Richard Dames (Director of Circles Palm Beach County ). Here, Kemberly and Pastor Richard describe the many moving parts they manage to keep Palm Beach County one of the most successful and diverse high-volume Circles chapters in the U.S. Good morning! Can you share some exciting updates and “New and Goods” from Circles Palm Beach County? RD : We just graduated a class of Haitian Creole speakers a few weeks ago. The exciting part for us was the fact that they decided, as a group, that they wanted to go out and purchase their own caps and gowns. So they marched in and everything was matching, color coordinated, excitement on their faces. It was resounding for us to see all of them outside getting dressed—just a huge moment! KB : The community in which our offices are located here in Palm Beach County has a large Haitian Creole population. Right now we've got over 80,000 Haitians [in the county] and they're expecting that number to grow expeditiously. Many coming right now speak Spanish—they don't speak Creole because they are coming by way of Chile. We also have some families that have been here for quite some time, and they're very successful. My very first Circles class graduated in 2014—that was probably one of the most successful classes I had. We did have Haitians in that particular class, including one man, Wendell, who saved $20,000 in one year. Everyone was like, how did he do that? And so we started having other people following his model.  We've had to really change our thinking, change the way we deliver our services. I've had to change staffing because I needed to respond to the community. If everyone here only had one Creole [translator], it wasn't going to work. We needed to build upon that. So now we have four. Because it's the only way that we can service this community and be true to it. Our first graduating Creole-speaking class was in December of 2023. It was the first time we had engaged an all-Haitian class. We were requiring individuals to speak English prior to doing this, because it was so difficult in the classroom to have to do the translation. But we were leaving out a whole population by doing that. Now it’s hit off amazingly. Our first graduating class ended with representatives from the U.S. Congress [awarding] pendants. We had our state Senator, state House Reps, and those who were running for office all in attendance. And so, because we served that one population, word of mouth started to travel. The [graduated Circle Leaders] are all Allies now and we've had three classes that were just Creole speaking: 100% Creole. But I will tell you that the very last class, when they came up and did their speeches and things like that, they did it all in English; because now we're offering ESOL [English Speakers of Other Languages] classes for our families as well. To me, that is really exciting news.  RD : We had been having candidate forums here [organized] with some of our partner organizations. [After] a lot of planning and strategizing and organizing, we decided that we wanted to put together a People's Forum. That People's Forum would consist of those who were still running for office, but primarily for the House of Representatives election. And so we [invited] three of our Circle graduates to share their lived experiences on this panel. One talked about education, her field. The other [spoke about] housing. And the third was about being safe in the neighborhood.  Circle Leaders had the opportunity to share their lived experiences with politicians, clergy, and the community at large. Giving them that experience is really setting the stage for them. As we continue to deal with the Big View, they're learning about the Cliff Effect and how that affects them—the systemic barriers that are in place, how it keeps them at that level. Hopefully the politicians will be able to take that back to the State House and address this across the aisle, so that we can begin to dismantle some of those barriers. KB : What was really interesting for me at the People's Forum was to hear those politicians as I laid the framework for ALICE—Asset Limited, Income Constrained and Employed. These are ALICE families. They're the working poor. And afterwards, during the networking where we were able to eat and meet one-on-one with the politicians, to hear them say that they had never heard of ALICE. They were clueless! “What do you mean, you don't know? And you're going to be sitting here making decisions on ALICE families?” Our goal is to equip our ALICE families; because if we engage them in the whole voting process, we can change the landscape of this country. If we 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. That is who we serve. Were you able to track how their elections went? Will you have some allies in place in office now? KB : Yes. We [hosted] people that were running for Judge, we had a State Attorney candidate, the Sheriff's Office and things like that. They got a chance to hear my Circle Leader, Bentoria —I'm her Ally—talking about the successes she has had as a result of being involved in Circles. Bentoria started her own nonprofit [after] receiving some funding. She is an author who self-published her book on Amazon. And she talked about becoming a homeowner.  Before she got a chance to get through it all, everyone started clapping. She said, “Yeah, right, that should be  a reason to celebrate.” But then, she was able to share with them that that little bit of increase allowed her to be able to buy the house; but it [also] knocked her out of the other safety net services. “So,” she said, “it was a short-lived celebration for me, because now I have to learn how to readjust my finances without any of those safety net services. And what can you all do to help me and other families that fall into this category, so that we don't find ourselves, you know, still struggling after we have these successes?” It was just absolutely amazing. RD : Bentoria was the one that we took to Tallahassee. KB : Oh, yes! Last year for Children's Week , we took Bentoria with us to Tallahassee. So she had had a chance already to meet [the candidates] and take pictures. We've got people in office that she's already familiar with; they know her story. And we'll be going back again in May. We hope that this is a path to accountability from our elected officials! KB : Same here. It was funny to hear everyone that was part of their platform [speak out], saying, “I'm a part of Circles.” “I volunteer with Circles.” “Yeah, I'm a Circles Ally.” They're really vested.  What are some other issues that the Palm Beach County chapter is looking forward to tackling in 2025? KB : Transportation is key here. Everything is so spread out. The bus system does not run; it's not friendly to those who don’t have a car. A bus is just not convenient for families that have got children. So we had the Commissioners do proclamations deeming a Poverty Awareness Week. And that week, we [issued] a snap challenge: Eat off of $6.50. But more importantly, we took public transportation along with some of our partners. We went north and south, then east and west, really giving individuals an opportunity to see what it was like, that it's not easy. To be honest, I had never been on public transportation. We interviewed people along the way on social media, so everyone was making comments [that revealed how] people just don't know the struggle that families are going through. Now we're looking into funding for those individuals [for] little taxis—sort of like an Uber, if you will—an open vehicle that can take people to medical appointments, get them to job interviews, drop them off to work. They can call and order it, and it's free within local cities. We're trying to explore the best way until we can reform Palm Trend, which is the major bus line. But what can we do in the meantime to help our families get around safely? Transportation, the Cliff Effect, and housing are paramount in Palm Beach County. Because there is none. Is rural commuting a factor in your chapter’s transportation issues? KB : Yes, it is. The Glades, Belglade, Pahokee—is [among] the poorest parts of West Palm Beach. It's our farm workers. So, you know, they're very transient because they're moving wherever they can go. There’s nothing out there for them if they can’t get a job. Even if we take Circles there, they still have to come to the coast in order to find viable employment that would help them to move their families along. The bus does run there, but the timing of it…it's just not that great. One of the biggest concerns is if they are on the bus and there's a medical emergency. Let's say the kids are sick. Now you’ve got to try to readjust, get off, catch the next bus. There's a lot of opportunities [to grow] the transportation here in Palm Beach County. That's a lot of work. It sounds like Circles Palm Beach County is very much a service hub that you’re all running. KB : We are a service hub, we're just always tackling. We never stop. I would say we're serving about 200 Circle Leaders and families annually. We have those that have graduated. We usually graduate about four classes a year. Each class has roughly 17 to 20 individuals that are graduating. And then we service those that have graduated with our weekly meetings. And it's a lot. Part of what we've had to add is case management. We now have a Circles case manager who is dedicated to connecting individuals with services and addressing those immediate needs. We hired someone to do data, because we have to be able to track it and then be able to tell the story with the data to the funders. That's the only way we're going to be able to continue to fund this initiative and make it work. So we've got some outside people doing data, but we also have a full time person in house that is tracking the data for our Circle Leaders. We've got a lot of moving parts, but it works. All this is part of a larger model called SOFI in Palm Beach County: that's the Securing Our Future Initiative. It’s spearheaded by Palm Beach County Community Services. Dr. James Green leads that model. And we have several programs that work with SOFI. Circles is the only model that actually tracks those clients beyond one year. So we're the only one that has this three-year tracking mechanism in place, which means that we're able to let people know what's happening beyond 12 months with these clients. Our data is important to the overall Palm Beach County comprehensive plan to reduce poverty by 10% over the next 10 years. Do you have some hard-working chapter members, local leaders, and valuable partners that you would like to shout out? RD : There are lots of them! We have a volunteer with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), their director—he is a great friend of ours and one of our partners. Genesis Health Center. We also partner with the Boynton Beach Coalition-Clergy, an organization that I serve as the founder and President, who are local pastors in Palm Beach County. Men of Vision and Purpose (MVP) is a group of men that go around to the different schools and read to our youth. They take them out once a month to breakfast and serve as mentors. A lot of them are retired professionals in various fields across the county. Who are we missing? KB : Those are all really paramount. A lot of our success is because we partner with the BRIDGES programs . BRIDGES is a place-based strategy funded by the Children's Services Council here in Palm Beach County. There are 10 BRIDGES sites all throughout the county and out west in the Glades. These are individuals who have built relationships in these communities for 14 years; they know who the [people there] are. That is our recruitment arm to BRIDGES. They've already got individuals who are engaged, that are learning about parenting, that are learning about reducing child abuse and neglect, engaging in the school system. Now what Circles can do is come in, to begin to look at the economic mobility so we can make sure that they're able to come out of poverty and change the landscape. Because as long as they're staying on the receiving end, nothing changes. We're trying to change that and have our Circle Leader graduates from years ago come back and be Allies, to speak about what's been successful for them.  Finally, we're cultivating a partnership with the foundation Shared Futures out of Delray Beach. The head of this family foundation has been exploring giving guaranteed income to some individuals, yet they have no data. They don't know if it's working. Now they want to partner with Circles, because we have infrastructure in place to take a segment of our Circle Leader graduates and give them that guaranteed income of $500 a month. Let's just give them this money for a year. And then what happens? Do they open businesses? We don't know what it's going to look like. We have not given guaranteed income to any of our Circle Leaders yet. This will be a first for us in Palm Beach County.  We just love Lynette [Fields, Executive Director, Poverty Solutions Group ] and the work that they're doing, and we look for ways for us to work together. When Children's Week comes, we'll meet up again in Tallahassee to get some things going. Pastor Dames knows all of the politicians, so we definitely capitalize on those situations to get in the door, to get our message out.  And this year, one of our former senators—who is now the County Commissioner—is working with us on our application for appropriations. We're in the exploration phases of some partnerships, so I'm really looking forward to what's going to come out of these great opportunities! Sign up to receive our public newsletters Click the   Give to Circles button  and help us celebrate 25+ years of building community to end poverty!

January is always an excellent time to give pause to where we’ve been and dream forward to where we’re headed. Yes, 2023 was an exciting year for Circles USA celebrating our 25th anniversary and hosting a national leadership conference, but much has been happening behind the scenes in the national office as well. Join Circles USA Executive Director, Kamatara Johnson, for a time to reflect on this organization for 2023 and to share the vision for 2024 as Circles USA begins the next quarter century of its work. About the Presenter: Kamatara Johnson is the executive director of CUSA. She has a master’s degree in organizational leadership, 25 years of experience in secondary education, and a deep connection with our Circles chapters. As ED, Kamatara holds the space for collaboration, innovation, and advancement for all the people in our Circles family.

In this new monthly blog series, Circles USA Chief Learning Officer Kris Alexander will share insights on her learning journey, sources of inspiration, and what excites her about her work. The column will offer a behind-the-scenes perspective on the learning curve that drives growth and progress at CUSA as we continually deepen and enhance our mission of building community to end poverty. Circles Salt Lake Youth One of the coolest aspects of Circles USA (in my honest opinion) is our focus on youth and children. When you attend a weekly meeting, it’s not just you who benefits—your entire family does too! Circles offers a youth curriculum for all ages, covering topics such as goal-setting, financial literacy, emotional health, and compassion. During weekly meetings, young people have the opportunity to come together with dedicated adults to explore these subjects and more while their family members participate in Matched Circles or cohort training. The intentional friendships formed within our community extend beyond Circle Leaders and Allies to include children, fostering cross-socioeconomic and multigenerational connections that can positively influence a young person’s life. Circles Joplin family Cara Russo with her daughter My love of this is twofold: Our initiative is reducing poverty along multiple generational lines simultaneously, and we are supporting everyone who walks in the door—not just those experiencing poverty, but also our volunteers and their   families. Even for individuals who may not have children or families of their own, Circles provides the opportunity to be part of a broader “multi-gen” network where they can foster positive community growth in many ways, including equipping youth to navigate life more confidently. Everyone in the Circles community is uplifted, no matter their current circumstances. This includes individuals with varying exceptionalities, disabilities, and additional support needs. Before we continue, here's a closer look at some key terms: Varying exceptionalities  is a newer term that refers to the diverse range of abilities and challenges people may encounter outside of typical developmental trajectories. According to one McGraw Hill text , this may refer to students who "receive special education for a variety of reasons, including sensory and physical handicaps, intellectual limitations, communication and behavioural disorders, and other problems that affect learning. These conditions may be mild or severe, chronic or acute, and contained or pervasive (Bohatyretz & Lipps, 1999)." It highlights that individuals can have unique strengths or needs in many aspects of life, including cognitive, emotional, sensory, or physical.  Support needs  refers to the support and accommodations required for an individual to grow, learn, and thrive. These needs can vary based on many factors including physical disabilities, developmental delays, sensory impairments, emotional and behavioral challenges, and more. Special education  refers to the current system designed to support youth with disabilities, especially in school, but can also be used to include other programs and accommodations for young people. Disabilities  describe physical, cognitive, mental, or sensory impairments that significantly impact a person's life. The challenges faced by individuals with disabilities are dramatically amplified by limiting social and economic factors (e.g., standardized testing that measures only one aspect of intelligence; architecture and city planning that is difficult to navigate for individuals who are blind, deaf, or have limited mobility; public transit seating designs that accommodate only certain body types; and crowded grocery stores with overstimulating bright lights and loud music.) In summary: varying exceptionalities  provide a broad view of human diversity, support needs  and  special education  refer to specific accommodations and the systems that offer them, and disabilities  describe specific impairments that affect daily living. Kris as a teacher in 2008. The contributions and insights of people with varying exceptionalities should be highly valued and actively sought out from childhood onward. Many individuals with disabilities have a remarkable way of perceiving and interacting with the world. It’s essential to recognize that all individuals with disabilities— regardless of the cause —are unique and deserve to thrive in an accessible world. We must also examine how systemic inequality perpetuates preventable disabilities. When Circles USA’s National Coach, Addie and I began researching the interconnections between disabilities and poverty, it didn’t surprise us to learn that individuals with disabilities and families with disabled children are more than twice as likely to experience poverty. Disability causes poverty . In addition, research shows that the majority of disabilities are preventable. They’re often caused by factors like poor nutrition; unsafe living and working conditions; limited access to healthcare and vaccinations; inadequate sanitation and hygiene; insufficient maternal care during pregnancy and childbirth; lack of education about the causes of impairments; and the effects of war, conflict, and natural disasters. The impact of these factors is not felt equally by people of high-income as those with low income. Poverty creates disability .   It’s a devastating and cyclical relationship. Poverty and disability reinforce and generate one another, leading to deeper vulnerability, systemic oppression, and isolation. Breaking this cycle requires recognizing the unique challenges faced by the individuals within it and creating pathways for inclusion, access, and opportunity that dismantle systemic barriers and foster real community. All young people, with or without disabilities, are impacted by this cyclical relationship. Youth experiencing poverty and youth of color are disproportionately placed in special education or isolated learning environments , compounding racial segregation with ableism. This discrimination against already marginalized communities perpetuates poverty and limits education, resources, and opportunities. For children with varying exceptionalities, the divide is even starker: lower-income youth with disabilities are more likely to be placed in separate classrooms compared to their higher-income peers who are more often integrated into mainstream classrooms. Kris as a Youth and Family Director in 2018. To complicate things further, states aren’t required to report data on education, disability, race, and socioeconomic status collectively. This lack of analysis makes it harder to study and address the complex intersections of these factors. As someone who has worked extensively with children I’m disappointed by these hurdles our youth face, but unfortunately not surprised.  My journey to Circles feels like a full-circle moment, as my first career involved working with individuals with varying exceptionalities, primarily autism. The relationships I formed during that time profoundly shaped my understanding of the invaluable skills and perspectives that everyone contributes. Beginning my professional life in this field continues to impact my understanding of our world, belief in the importance of diverse perspectives, and the beauty of inclusive communities. Kris with her friend at Carowinds Theme Park. Cultivating this awareness in our society requires making positive investments in the well-being and education of youth with varying exceptionalities, especially those experiencing poverty. This is one of the reasons why Circles is so committed to diversity and inclusion: we recognize that these various identities intersect and overlap in many different ways. We work to ensure our spaces are open and welcoming to everyone, including youth with varying exceptionalities and their families. When we treat every youth as the unique individual they are, we can more fully meet their needs and create a place for them to belong. Which brings me to the heart of the issue: every child is a gift . Sometimes, we can get so focused on challenges and concerns that we miss the incredible contributions they offer just by being themselves. At Circles, our primary job is to love and respect each young person exactly where they are. Yes, we teach them some amazing skills and concepts that will equip them to thrive, but our number one priority is to build supportive communities where they belong and are recognized as the gifts they are. This is the power of intentional friendship and community. It’s how Circles transforms families, one connection at a time. Learn more about how Circles USA champions youth access , advocacy  and education  on our blog. Meet Circles Chief Learning Officer Kris Alexander . Click the   Give to Circles button  and help us celebrate 25+ years of building community to end poverty! Sign up to receive our public newsletters

Over the past 11 months as a contractor for Circles, USA, I’ve been continually amazed and inspired by the incredible work this organization does, all from a relational and empathetic mindset. Every person I’ve interacted with—board members, Circle Leaders, chapter staff, and volunteers—has been a brilliant and unconditionally compassionate individual. I’ve never experienced such a large group of extraordinary people coming together to create meaningful change in one place before. When Kamatara approached me about joining the staff full-time, it was an easy and immediate “yes.” Over the past year, I’ve learned so much about poverty alleviation, the challenges Circle Leaders face, and how we as a community can better support individuals and families. Every day, I am excited and energized by the opportunity to do this impactful work, especially in a time when coming together to bridge divides feels more urgent than ever. I am overjoyed to combine my passion for this work with my Zone of Genius. I love learning  and growing as an individual, and this desire fuels my desire to write, develop content and curriculum, teach, and create innovative ways to support others.  As Chief Learning Officer, I’m excited to design new trainings, systems, and curriculum, and update our current tools to provide even deeper support to our chapters. I’ll also be working to foster a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive organization and community of practice. This role will give me the time and resources to connect with the community of practice, receive your feedback, and refine the tools based on the invaluable insights of those intimately involved in this work. Looking ahead, I’m thrilled to update and refresh our Basic, Circle Leader, and Ally trainings next year and collaborate with y’all at the chapter level to incorporate your ideas. I’ll also be partnering with our National Coach, Addie, to establish an Equity Taskforce, bringing together voices from all walks of life within Circles. Together, we will ensure that Circles continues to shape the future with equity, accessibility, justice, and inclusion. I’m deeply grateful and honored to serve in this role. I look forward to connecting with more of our amazing community members and working together to create lasting impact. To learn more about Kris, read her introductory blogpost here .

At Circles USA, we know that mobilizing our households, chapters, and states to participate in elections is only one phase of civic engagement. Building community to end poverty requires each of us to ask every day, year-round: How can I show up with an intentional focus on moving the needle towards our shared goals? And what can we collectively do to hold our elected officials accountable for their campaign promises to We the People ? “Ending poverty is a nonpartisan issue,” says Circles Executive Director Kamatara Johnson. “But it’s also very much a bipartisan  project, in that both Democratic and Republican leaders have failed to meaningfully decrease obstacles to prosperity for the most vulnerable Americans—that is, the working poor **. History has taught us that elected officials need to be held accountable in large and small ways. Are they doing what we hired them to do? Are we seeing the needed results in our homes, schools, businesses, and government offices? And how can we act in effective ways during the months and years in-between presidential elections, so that those in offices both high and low really support people’s financial wellbeing as a cornerstone of democracy?” In this first of a two-part series on post-election civic engagement, CUSA offers this short list of major economic positions published by the Trump campaign prior to re-election, per CBS News  and other sources.  “The more familiar we are with any administration’s policy platforms,” Kamatara reminds us, “the more we can hold them to task when it comes to delivering on their promises to support us and enact our best, most promising ideas for change.” Taxes Trump claims he will extend tax cuts enacted in 2017, which reduced taxes for most Americans.   Research shows  that higher-income individuals, families, and corporations (notably Trump's own ) benefited the most from tax policy enacted during his first administration. Under Trump, “everyone” will receive a tax cut, but the lowest earners — those making under $19,600 — would just see a $320 difference in take-home pay… “The very highest earners under Trump would receive a tax break of $376,910, according to [a] Penn Wharton analysis.”  [Source] Trump…want[s] to eliminate federal taxes on tips. Trump plans to eliminate income taxes on Social Security benefits, which may help middle- and upper-middle income seniors the most. [Source] Child tax credit VP-elect JD Vance has proposed raising the child tax credit to $5,000 (from the current top tax break of $2,000) for all Americans, including those in the highest tax brackets. [Source] Inflation “Trump has pledged to end the ‘inflation nightmare,” CBS reports. “But his policies, which include adding tariffs to all imported goods, would likely fuel inflation and reverse some of the progress of the last two years, some economists say.”  [Source] Tariffs Another key Trump-Vance platform point likely to impact our economy is the tariff,  or tax on imported goods. MSN  reports: “Trump says ‘tariff’ is his favorite word in the dictionary and he is likely to try to move quickly on new trade restrictions that he promised during the campaign”: The president-elect says he will impose between a 10 and 20 percent across-the-board tariff on all $3 trillion worth of U.S. goods imports and a 60 percent tariff on all Chinese goods. That would dramatically expand the duties he imposed during his first term on tens of billions of dollars worth of steel and aluminum and more than $300 billion worth of Chinese goods. [Source] Howard Gleckman with The Tax Policy Center  at the Urban Institute and Brookings Institution explained in 2018 who would absorb the cost of Trump’s announc[ed] “10 percent tariffs on an additional $200 billion in Chinese imports.” [President-elect Trump] “showed a troubling lack of understanding about how the levies work,” Gleckman writes. “Pointing to earlier import duties he imposed, Trump bragged that ‘China is paying us billions of dollars in tariffs.’ Treasury, he added, is collecting ‘tremendous amounts of money, which is great for our country.’” But, he continues, “[d]espite what the President says, it is almost always paid directly by the importer (usually a domestic firm), and never by the exporting country. Thus, if the US imposes a tariff on Chinese televisions, the duty is paid to the US Customs and Border Protection Service at the border by a US broker representing a US importer, say, Costco. “In the case of Trump’s tariffs on China,” he concludes, “that means US consumers will pay somewhat higher prices… Will Trump’s new tariffs generate a big boost in federal revenue? The short answer is: No.” [Source]   Consumers are likely to face similar short-term fluctuations in 2025 and beyond. Healthcare Daniel Payne at MSN reports: “On Obamacare, even conservative health policy analysts who’d like to repeal the Affordable Care Act say that’s not in the cards. Instead, they say Trump will focus on loosening regulations on insurers and targeting specific elements of the law for repeal or reform. Vice President-elect JD Vance wants to cut costs for healthy, younger people by allowing them to sign up for insurance based on the health risks they face. That could increase prices for older people and those with pre-existing conditions, who are shielded from risk-based pricing under Obamacare.” “Trump supported allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices in his 2016 campaign but later backed away,” Payne continues. “Now he’s in charge of ongoing negotiations Congress mandated in the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, which are supposed to include dozens of new drugs during his term. Every Republican lawmaker voted against that law. Trump’s Justice Department is now tasked with defending it against pharmaceutical company challenges in court.” [Source] Pt. 1 of this series provided an overview of President Trump’s economic policy platform for easy reference. In Pt. 2 of this series, we’ll share stories and best practices of Circles USA chapters working to hold local, state, and national elected officials accountable for fulfilling their economic promises to voters. **An official US Department of Labor designation describing “persons who spent at least 27 weeks [in the past year] in the labor force (that is, working or looking for work), but whose incomes fell below the official poverty level."

In this webinar, join Kamatara Johnson to reflect on our experiences, accomplishments, and challenges in 2024 and look forward to 2025. She’ll share a sneak peek at our 2024 Impact Report, announce the 2025 Leadership Conference location and dates, and explore the 2025 focus of Moving Beyond… About the Presenter: Kamatara Johnson  is the executive director of CUSA. She holds a master’s degree in organizational leadership, 25 years of experience in secondary education, and a deep connection with our Circles chapters. As ED, Kamatara creates space for collaboration, innovation, and expansion for all the people in our Circles family.