Circles USA is now accepting applications for our second cohort of the Advisory Council. Circles USA’s Board Advisory Council exists to create a space for dialogue between the National Board and active Circles community members.   Who : Advisory Council members must be active participants in a Circles chapter. Ideally, members of the Advisory Council will reflect Circles USA’s diversity in many ways: Chapter Role: Circle Leader, Ally, Volunteer, Coach, Coordinator, Executive Director, Community Partner, etc. Chapter Partner Organization: faith-based partners, government-based chapters, independent chapters Chapter Geography: rural chapters, urban chapters, geographic distribution Chapter Longevity: new chapters, veteran chapters Personal diversity: ethnicity, age, background, gender, sexuality, religion, lived experience of poverty, and political views   What : Past discussion topics include: Reviewing data and considering the Circles model’s impact and long-term strategies for improvement Advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion Pursuing systemic change through the Big View Reviewing and providing feedback on updated organizational mission statement Where and When :  Advisory Council meetings take place via Zoom Meetings will be the second   Monday of each month at 3pm ET /2pm CT /1pm MT /NoonPT,  for 90 minutes The commitment is one year, from January to December 2025.   Why : The Board wishes to hear first-hand from chapter members in an effort to inform decisions about the future of Circles USA. The Board’s intent is for the Council to be a comfortable way for members of the Circles network to contribute, learn, and gain insight into leadership at the national level. Notes:   The Board Advisory Council is not a line of communication to the Circles USA national staff. If you have ideas for operational improvement, a specific question, or an issue with your chapter, please speak with your regional coach or someone at the national office. This is a volunteer Council. In honor of participation, each member will receive one registration to the next CUSA Conference and a dinner with the Circles National Board. Circles USA cannot provide a stipend/honorarium to avoid any perception that the Board is paying the Council to agree with them. How to apply : Complete the application form here . Applications are due by January 3, 2025 . The 2025 Circles USA Advisory Council will be co-facilitated by board members Jennifer Pelling and Van Green. See also: Jun 29, 2022, New Advisory Council for CUSA Board

Each year around this time, Circles USA gears up to publish our Impact Report. From early drafts to video production and the countdown to announce we’re live , our national office is all-hands-on-deck to deliver amazing results to our community of practice annually. It’s with a huge internal Yes! that we bring you of-the-moment figures on membership growth, conference recaps, partner news, and more positive data on Big View organizing outcomes than we could have dreamed when CUSA launched more than 25 years ago.    All the numbers are there…but what is Circles , beyond the sum of these moving parts? What about the lives and communities transformed by the daily practice of chapters nationwide? What does it mean for a child to shift from couch-surfing to a stable apartment in a better school district? What does it mean for the self-esteem of a single mother who now has advanced at work and purchased her first car? How does healing translate to spreadsheets, flowcharts and infographics? How can grassroots transformation be quantified?  After three years as Circles USA’s executive director, I will tell you absolutely: It can’t be. These are the unspoken, perhaps unmeasurable aspects of CUSA’s interactive model. Time and experience moving in solidarity with our network has taught us that we are supporting whole people, whole families, and whole chapters in the transformative work of building communities to end poverty. Nonprofit funding cycles are often driven by numeric and quantitative outcomes, like X people out of poverty  or Y people served , which don’t get to the holistic, long-term result we’re aiming for. Short-term grants typically demand a one-or-two year turnaround for results. But leaving poverty behind permanently, changing one’s life trajectory, can’t be put on a calendar or timeframe. On average, participants in Circles reach amazing outcomes  by 18 months; yet some take longer, some shorter. It depends on many factors, particularly the number and nature of intersectional barriers they are facing.  A 2020 study by Tema Okun and ​ Dismantling Racism Works (dRworks)  roots into these structural factors—such as race, age, and physical ability—to present a more complete picture of how identity impacts the timeline and criteria funders in primarily white institutions (PWIs) like to measure. Examples of ways that PWIs can enmesh white supremacy into outcome measurement include:  all resources of organization are directed toward producing measurable goals things that can be measured are more highly valued than things that cannot…[F]or example numbers of people attending a meeting, newsletter circulation, money spent are valued more than quality of relationships, democratic decision-making, ability to constructively deal with conflict little or no value attached to process; if it can’t be measured, it has no value discomfort with emotion and feelings no understanding that when there is a conflict between content (the agenda of the meeting) and process (people’s need to be heard or engaged), process will prevail (for example, you may get through the agenda, but if you haven’t paid attention to people’s need to be heard, the decisions made at the meeting are undermined and/or disregarded). At Circles, we know that what’s more important than any statistic we could report are the relationships formed—the ones that last a lifetime. A new narrative is running through the collective heart and mind of our membership: to believe in themselves and their communities again, or maybe for the first time ever. To reconnect with hopes and dreams and people! Far beyond benchmarks for measuring economic progress by upticks in homeownership, transportation, education, and employment, Circles cultivates in our participants qualities like autonomy and belonging, a sense of inherent worth and hope. And the internal growth is iterative: How does wellbeing outpicture for multiple generations to come when your parent’s inner narrative has shifted from surviving to thriving? What is it like for a family to leave poverty behind permanently for generations to come? These unmeasurable outcomes of lives transformed are the heart of what Circles USA continues to hold as top priority, regardless of funders or business trends that demand growth for growth’s sake. We remain committed to the internal growth that has far more impact than any report we could ever share. to end poverty, together. 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!

While Circles is firmly rooted as an anti-poverty organization, we also  know that anti-poverty movement work requires self-awareness and leadership skills. Building successful group efforts and functional organizations calls for a variety of skill sets and gifts to bring people together as one powerful force for good.  Visionary, Facilitator, Practitioner In our Circles community of practice, we ask people to consider which role best fits them: visionary, facilitator, or practitioner. A visionary  makes the impossible seem possible, a facilitator  makes the possible seem probable, and a practitioner  makes the probable become predictable.  In other words, the visionary  has a fresh and imaginative idea that they can articulate; one which inspires others not only to believe, but to craft the necessary building blocks to manifest the vision. The facilitator  can listen to what the visionary has thrown out there and translate it into infrastructure and process, serving as the “translator” between the visionary and the practitioner because the practitioner  is in the weeds, boots on the ground, implementing the vision. Practitioners and visionaries often face communication challenges when collaborating. We bring radically different perspectives in leadership style—each necessary, but needing a middle ground to translate into effective action. When I first met our visionary founder, Scott C. Miller, I was a practitioner, having just left almost 25 years of public education. While being in his presence was exciting and inspiring, it also freaked me out! He’d be tossing spaghetti to see what sticks and I’d be losing my mind, asking: “How can it be done?” or “Who will finance it?” or “Who's going to do it?”…and so on. Deep breath, precious one. I learned after a while that nothing was real until it was real, and I grew into the facilitator space. I even began to enjoy the spaghetti-tossing and the process of transforming the “best of” into a plan of action. What’s more, I learned that most of us work on a continuum of visionary, practitioner, and facilitator throughout our lives, often wearing multiple hats. Don’t “nuts-and-bolts” practitioners conceive and nurture paradigm-shifting ideas all the time, only to be denied access by organizational hierarchies that only see top brass as the right "category" to do visioning work? Meanwhile, limited resources and support can leave visionaries working overtime to manage the facilitators while juggling logistics, hard-selling their ideas to their own teams and constituents, and implementing new policies amidst resistance from their own communities. Workers at every level must flex to manifest what we know is possible, and the one thing we all have in common is that none of us can do it alone.  I experienced this personally once our founder retired and interim executive director Jamie Haft moved on. I was promoted to executive director, which is a long way from being a school teacher and practitioner. I was thrust into the visionary role. As a skilled practitioner and newer facilitator, I struggled at first to shift into that visionary space. I had limited opportunities to articulate my visions in the past. I grew into finding my visionary voice, to speak my ideas for Circles USA with courage and conviction. Once I began to trust myself as a visionary leader, I knew exactly what my vision for Circles USA is: We can do what we do even better, and more far-reaching, than we are now.  We can grow into organizational maturity with more infrastructure, standard operating procedures, stronger curriculum, coaching, and support, and more collaboration with our chapters. We can operationalize an organizational structure that practices what we preach: listening to those closest to the challenge, whether staff, Circle Leaders, or community members. We also can be ready for the national spotlight in the anti-poverty arena with our new partnerships and opportunities to advocate. Perhaps we can even begin a national Big View campaign for sweeping systemic change.  What’s most exciting about this next iteration of Circles is that it is already happening, right now. Honoring the Evolution Just as I have grown in my skill set and how I relate to our team at Circles, I know we each have a bit of visionary, facilitator, and practitioner in us. So, how can we create a space to bring forth people’s best gifts while also nurturing those yet to be developed? How do we support the practitioners to buy into and then implement a vision? How do we listen to the vision a practitioner might have? How does your team come together in the most dynamic way possible? At Circles, we do create the safe place for communicating, sharing gifts, taking risks, and working collaboratively. We appreciate each unique individual, knowing we each have something to give and something to learn. This is how we step out of top-down hierarchies and into the deepest expression of a Circles chapter and a beloved community, when each type of leader is seen, heard, and valued. And, when people are allowed to grow skills and shift roles, we evolve together into our greatness. In his book Reinventing Organizations: A Guide to Creating Organizations Inspired by the Next Stage of Human Consciousness , author Frederic Laloux writes: “Extraordinary things begin to happen when we dare to bring all of who we are to work.”   Whatever pieces of your Self you bring to your role, I encourage you to shine on in your own perfect way, complementing each other’s leadership styles in our chapters as we build community to end poverty, together. 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!

This month, Circles USA announced a new partnership with The Monthly Move Project (TMMP), a Utah-based national initiative offering athletic funded programs for children in poverty. "We’re so proud to partner with Circles USA to provide athletic scholarships for children in poverty, offering them the opportunity to pursue their passion for sports,” TMMP wrote in a statement. “These scholarships aim to break down financial barriers, enabling children to develop athletic skills, gain confidence, and participate in organized sports programs. By investing in their potential, we’re helping to create a brighter future for these young athletes and their communities." Many youth from families with limited resources have little to no access to extracurriculars at school or in the community. This is especially true in disciplines like athletics or dance that carry large fees and equipment requirements, effectively making the activity (and all its physical, social, and scholastic benefits) exclusive. TMPP aims to close that access gap for children of low-income families by making its enrollment form  accessible and short: ideal for busy caregivers who hope to engage youth in beneficial physical activities with a minimum of red tape and difficult expense.  As well as tracking the family’s location, Circles chapter info, and the details of each child’s sport/activity of interest (including equipment or special gear they may need), the form allows guardians to submit sport-related art projects that students create to showcase their dreams and ambitions. The Monthly Move Project invites interested adults in Circles chapters and the wider community to support youth athletics by contacting TMMP  to learn how they can give time to volunteer, stating: “By volunteering, individuals play a vital role in shaping the lives of children facing homelessness, instilling values of perseverance, teamwork, and resilience through the power of sports.”  Above all, says TMMP Founder Alyssia Johnson, chapters can champion The Monthly Movement Project’s game-changing work by sponsoring student enrollment with the aid of their own local businesses. “Once a child is enrolled,” Alyssia explains, “the chapter's youth coordinator will find the necessary funds.” Alyssia says that businesses related to the student's activity of choice make for great sponsorships that can be replicated at every chapter’s level: “Let’s say a child here in St. George, Utah, wants to play basketball, so my chapter’s youth coordinator might connect with a business called That Net on Fire and see if they were willing to sponsor the child through one of their programs. This gives businesses the opportunity to be a part of the community by furthering a child’s athletic opportunity. Everybody wins.” “It’s one of many reasons,” Alyssia urged, “to join our mission and make a lasting impact on the dreams and aspirations of these children.” Learn more about The Monthly Move Project on their website , or follow them on Instagram  and Facebook . Read about Circles USA’s multi-generational approach to helping families build community to end poverty: Circles Youth Talk Money, Happiness and More in Short Videos Circles Honors International Youth Day With Child Tax Credit Push Circles USA Children’s Curriculum 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 a major upgrade to Circles USA’s body of educational materials, the Members portal on www.circlesusa.org  now offers a specially designed Big View training course. Because removing the barriers that keep people in poverty is one of the primary goals of Circles, the Big View is an entire wing  of our model. CUSA’s long-term goal is for every chapter to have a dedicated Big View Team. The Big View training course provides the tools and framework for Circles chapters to effect widespread systems change in their communities by centering those closest to the challenge.  “We’re very proud of our new Big View Training Course,” says Chief Learning Officer Kris Alexander. “We’ve built the program using feedback and data we received from our community of practice to take Big View Team members through the entire process from start to finish. It teaches participants key mindsets and practices for their Big View work—basically, everything chapters need to reduce poverty and move the needle on core issues of our Big View Policy Platform  wherever they live.” This curriculum, open to anyone involved with the Big View Team, offers a host of useful media including: Videos  with a slide deck for each unit Transcripts  for all units and the entire training a Companion Guide  to support learning through the training. This fillable PDF/printable document is available in color or black-and-white. a Glossary  of key Big View terms.  Executive Director Kamatara Johnson says: “With more chapters engaging in the Big View than ever before, our chapters now have a robust core of knowledge and experience mobilizing key stakeholders to address Big View policy issues. Our course has synthesized their findings and best practices into this comprehensive course that supports the Big View process from thinking to action. We can't wait to see how our chapters will use this new resource to fuel up their Big View Team efforts into a wave of transformation that impacts the collective!” The Circles national office recommends this training course for all staff (including those already engaged in Big View work at their chapter) as well as volunteers and/or Circle Leaders looking to engage with Circles USA’s Big View initiatives. To learn more about Circles USA’s Big View work, check out our podcast: The Big View: Ending Poverty in Your Community , available on Apple Podcasts  and Spotify . The video version is available to watch exclusively on our Youtube channel .  Just announced: Season 2 will be streaming in 2025!

Circles USA is excited to announce the kickoff of the Children’s Curriculum Pilot on July 13th with 6 different chapters across the United States and Canada. The pilot includes the first 3 months of our newly developed Children’s curriculum that will be introduced to the Circles network at the National Leadership Conference next April in Kansas City. Children’s educators and administrators, local Circles staff, and Chief Learning Officer, Carson Roncketto, are carefully designing this curriculum to allow easy adaptability at local chapters and sites. In January of 2016, the piloted curriculum will be released to the network, with the remaining 15 months to be released at the April conference. The curriculum being piloted specifically includes material around themes that the children’s parents will explore during Circle Leader Training, including: activities and lessons around Building Relationships, Respect and Service, and Financial Literacy. Accompanying the lesson plans are guides to be used in the initial planning of the children’s programming: Understanding the Framework, Best Practices for Implementation, and Behavioral Guidelines. Circles USA continues its expansion into states and communities at an impressive pace. The Circles model promotes a grassroots approach of equipping families living in poverty with the necessary skills to thrive and achieve success in terms of financial stability and meaningful family and community relationships. Research suggests that children living in low-income home environments have little or no exposure to meaningful learning materials, which translates to an achievement gap between low-income and middle class students at school. The involvement of families in the Circles model creates an ideal opportunity to compensate for these missing educational opportunities. The mission of Circles is to partner with families to end poverty in their lives and empower them to make positive changes to end poverty in their communities. Research shows that investing in an impoverished child’s future is an effective strategy to break the unrelenting cycle of generational poverty. Providing specific, strategic teaching to the children at Circles not only fights poverty at a personal level, but also prevents it at a community level. It makes sense to give Circles children the same opportunities their parents receive through Circles: to reflect on their past, find healthy ways to manage their present circumstances, and set goals so they can make positive choices in the future.    ###

In October 2024, CUSA executive director Kamatara Johnson presented at the Together We Thrive conference in Toledo, OH, along with colleagues from several other national anti-poverty organizations. Kamatara and Alex Ruder ( CED Director and Principal Adviser at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta ) led an interactive workshop on the Benefits Cliff.  Conference organizer Emerge Solutions  described the gathering as “a unique opportunity to learn from international best practices, including Bridges Out of Poverty, EMPath Economic Mobility Pathways, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.”  The ES webpage expands upon “the value of all economic classes working to amplify the voices of individuals facing poverty and learn from their challenges and triumphs. Together We Thrive is not just a conference; it’s a collective movement towards a brighter, more equitable future. It’s an opportunity to come together, share our experiences, and work towards a common goal.” [Source] Attendees discussed the fact that one common goal across anti-poverty organizations is mitigating the Cliff Effect. Circles USA focuses with intent on this Big View topic when we present in the national arena, since benefits cliffs rank high among leading reasons people are trapped in poverty. We want to raise awareness and offer resources like our Cliff Effect video  and one-pager . CUSA also employs resources like the ATL Feds’ Cliff Effect planning tools . Kamatara shared, “This issue impacts our front-line workers and phantom workforce—those who would, could, should be working, but aren’t due to the penalties that come from advancing a little but not enough to be economically stable beyond government subsidies. The Cliff catapults people off the pathway to economic self-sufficiency. People’s dreams are deferred. By spreading this message and sharing the tools, we hope to create a wave of understanding and common agenda for policymakers, employers, and employees alike, to know that when we end the Cliff, we all thrive as individuals and communities.” “This conference,” said Kamatara, “signals a turning point for Circles USA in the national anti-poverty arena. Our organization has reconnected with old partners and made vibrant new connections. I look forward to all the ways these new relationships can strengthen what we are all doing to alleviate poverty in the United States.” In addition to fostering new partnerships and connections at this conference, the event’s proximity to the Circles Washtenaw County  chapter in Ypsilanti, MI, allowed for a surprise visit! Sarah Thornburg, former executive director for Friends In Deed (lead organization for Circles Washtenaw County) not only attended the conference; she also drove Kamatara and fellow conference attendee/regional coach for the South Cheryl Williams  to the Weekly Meeting. Sarah enthused: “We loved hosting Kamatara and Cheryl at our Circles Washtenaw County weekly meeting. I love it when I get to visit other chapters, so it was great to have them at ours. Circles builds community…even national community." Circles USA sends sincere thanks to Lynette Fields—executive director of Poverty Solutions Group  and board member of Emerge Solutions—for working hard to connect organizations leading the poverty alleviation field.   Says Lynette: “I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the Emerge Solutions Board and Conference planning team. I'm grateful that they were open to including so many organizations that are working to alleviate poverty in the United States.” Much appreciation also goes to Coordinator Twana and Coach Carla for their hospitality in Ypsilanti.  “We had a beautiful evening connecting with Circle Leaders, Allies, and youth over supper, and then an insightful time learning about budgeting,” said Kamatara. "It was so energizing to be at the conference with so many people dedicated to the mission of ending poverty,” Sarah added. “It really brought home the point that TOGETHER we can have an impact on this beast of an issue." We look forward to more presentations, partner connections, and chapter visits in 2025!

November 11th marks Veterans Day in the United States. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA), this annual holiday commemorates “an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany [which] went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of ‘the war to end all wars.’” The USDVA calls Veterans Day “a celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.” [Source]    Circles USA profoundly respects the service and dedication of America’s military personnel past and present. We recognize that each branch is made up, first and foremost, of families : ordinary youth, parents, siblings, elders, and spouses who are driven to protect and serve beloved people and institutions within their communities.  While each service member brings this personal orientation into their service, the economic and social hurdles that U.S. military veterans face upon discharge are systemic and widespread. Circles recognizes the historic connection between military service and low-income rural and urban populations, particularly from Southern states . “ The Veteran Working-Poor: The Relationship between Labor Force Activity and Poverty Status ,” a 2017 study published by the USDVA, states that of the “7.2 million working age Veterans who participated in the labor force (out of 9.4 million working age Veterans)...almost 341,000 (or 4.7 percent) fell below the official poverty level.”  Here, Circles looks at some of the common factors that impact veterans seeking to move from surviving to thriving in their civilian lives. Poverty, disability, and service: the changing role of veterans in the economy Pew Research Center (summarizing data from the USDVA and U.S. Census Bureau) reports that , as of 2023, “there are more than 18 million living veterans in the United States, representing about 6% of the country’s adult population.”  Pew’s research shows an evolving snapshot of who  serves in the U.S. military, as well as how those figures are likely to change in years to come: [O]ver the next 25 years… Women, Hispanic and Black adults, and adults under 50 will all make up larger shares of the total veteran population. The share of women veterans will increase from 11%...to 18% in 2048. The overall number of women veterans is also expected to increase, from around 2 million to about 2.2 million. The number of male veterans, on the other hand, is projected to drop from about 16.2 million in 2023 to just under 10 million in 2048. The share of non-Hispanic White veterans is projected to drop from 74% to 63%. The share of Hispanic veterans is expected to roughly double from 9% to 15%, while the share who are Black is expected to increase from 13% to 15%. This trend is in line with projections for the U.S. population overall. Today, 28% of veterans are younger than 50, compared with a projected 34% in 2048, even as the share of older Americans overall is expected to grow. [Source] As we consider the ways that intersectionality  impacts the total well-being of communities, Circles USA is committed to addressing root causes of economic inequality—causes which increasingly include physical and mental disability as well as race, gender  (including transgender service members ), sexuality , and economic class . The National Poverty Center’s study “ Work-Related Disability, Veteran Status, and Poverty: Implications for Family Well-Being ,” published by Journal of Poverty  in 2011, calls veterans “a sizeable and heterogeneous [or diverse] subpopulation whose health and well-being warrants specific attention among policy makers because of their service to the nation and the fact that many have incurred service-related injuries.” The study cites increasing likelihood of work limitation related to disability as veterans age, writing that—while “initial differences in work-limiting disability between veterans and nonveterans are small…as they age, the differences between veterans and nonveterans increase. By the time the cohort is in their late 40s and early 50s, veterans have a significantly higher level of work limitation relative to nonveterans .” [Source] Like many forms of discrimination, ableism  compounds already-severe economic struggles for the most vulnerable families. Researcher James Fuller, in his 2024 paper “ From Service to Struggle: Exploring the Link Between Service-Connected Disability and Poverty Among Veteran Households ,” finds that, although “veteran households with the most severe service-connected disability have the lowest predicted likelihood of poverty…evidence suggests service-connected disability is associated with an increased likelihood of deep poverty among already impoverished households [emphasis added]. Within this context,” Fuller concludes, “veteran households with the most severe service-connected disability have the highest predicted likelihood of deep poverty.” Housing insecurity, too, often hurts veterans seeking stability in civilian life. In their 2024 study “ The State of Veteran Homelessness ,” Mission Roll Call cites troubling numbers: Homeless veterans are three times  more likely than the rest of the U.S. population to be infected with HIV. They’re also more likely to be in need of dental care. Dental problems, like missing teeth, can be “ tremendous barriers ” to looking for and finding work. Research  also shows that homeless individuals are more frequently victims of violent crimes than the general population. Between 2020 and 2022, the National Coalition for the Homeless tracked nearly 2,000 violent incidents  targeting homeless individuals. The trauma of homelessness can also lead to increased suicide rates among homeless veterans. Suicide rates among homeless populations are estimated at nine times  that of the U.S. general population. [Source]   [Img source: Mission Roll Call] The organization further cites that “[m]ore than four million veterans reside in rural communities across the country. This includes many Indigenous veterans , who serve in the U.S. military at higher rates than any other group. Providing comprehensive, high-quality care to these veterans is a challenge, leading to further health disparities among these communities.” Economic relief for veterans: 2024 and beyond As the year closes, the American Legion reports that the VA set goals for conquering veteran homelessness in 2024 . As the Department of Veterans Affairs mobilizes to “permanently house 41,000 homeless veterans [and] prevent return of homelessness and engage in unsheltered veterans,” the Legion further notes that: For the last two calendar years, the Department of Veterans Affairs set goals to permanently house 38,000 homeless veterans each year. In 2022, the VA housed 40,401 homeless veterans and surpassed that number in 2023, housing 46,552. For 2024, VA set three goals: to provide permanent housing for 41,000 homeless veterans; prevent return of homelessness; and engage unsheltered veterans. As of April 30, 2024: 26,772 veterans have been permanently housed. This is 65.3% of VA’s goal of housing 41,000 veterans. 97.8% of the veterans housed have remained in housing. VA’s goal is to ensure that at least 95% of the veterans housed in 2024 stay housed.  Moreover, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) stated last summer that the Biden-Harris administration had moved to expand access to housing for veterans facing Cliff Effect  fallout in 2024. “A new set of policy changes…will help more veterans receive assistance under the HUD-Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program, and improve their access to supportive housing developments,” HUD reported on their website: Veterans experiencing homelessness often receive VA benefits as a result of an injury or illness that was acquired or worsened during military service. Before this change, these benefits were considered income when determining eligibility for certain supportive housing developments—causing some veterans to exceed the income threshold for these programs. HUD’s policy changes will help more homeless veterans with service-connected disability benefits gain access to these housing developments. To advance this goal, HUD recently awarded $20 million “to public housing agencies to continue to improve the HUD-VASH program.” “No veteran should ever have to experience homelessness, but when they do, they should not face barriers to getting help they deserve,” said HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman. “This policy change will ensure that veterans who are receiving the disability benefits they earned through service and sacrifice can access the housing assistance and supportive services they need to resolve their homelessness.” [Source] Circles USA’s Administrative Coordinator Gena Atcher, who served in the U.S. Air Force from 1985-1993 and was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant, was stationed in the Medical Services Squadron at Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi, then at the Royal Air Force Upper Heyford in England, before  serving her final PCS (permanent change of station) at Ellsworth AFB in South Dakota.  Reflecting on the importance of social supports for veterans at the chapter, community, and national levels, Gena says: “From my personal experience, the military and Circles have many commonalities. In basic training, we came together as raw recruits to learn how to be Airmen in the USAF. In Circles, we come together and learn how to be our best selves, too. Whether you're a veteran or a Circle Leader, you can count on your unit/circle to back you up, to be there to support you in the good and trying times.” However military service intersects with our lived experiences of family, work, or economic struggle, every one of us owes veterans a debt of gratitude. More than this, we owe our service members (especially those impacted by hardship and structural oppression) the basic resources to transition from military to civilian life with dignity, stability, and supportive communities of practice. We celebrate each Circles chapter’s opportunity to uplift these values and influence crucial policy  as we salute our veterans this November 11th… and every day. 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We’re excited to announce that Circles USA is now a business partner of the True Charity Network .  Circles strives to foster intentional relationships with mission-aligned people and organizations. In recent years, we’ve reported on new collaborations with groups including Bread for the World , Ideos Institute , Leap Fund , the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta , The Workers Circle , and Scott C Miller Consulting —all partners whose tools and practices have deepened our thinking and expanded our approach to poverty alleviation.  The True Charity Network, our latest collaborator, is a national coalition of churches and nonprofits that serve people in poverty. True Charity helps guide these organizations along the path to effective charity by equipping them with hyper-practical resources to make their programs more powerful. No matter where charities and faith programs are in their journey, True Charity helps them find the next step to amplify their impact—moving beyond perpetual crisis relief to long-term development.  The organization is voluntarily funded, building bonds between the giver and the recipient that are beneficial for both: a foundational CUSA dynamic for thriving Circle Leader/Ally relationships. True Charity is challenge oriented, encouraging participants to confront aspects of adversity in order to grow people’s self-sufficiency. Crucially, True Charity’s model is also outcome driven, operating from evidence and measuring organizational impact (rather than just the quantity of things they give away). They offer step-by-step guides for innovative models, toolkits for best practices in program resourcing and implementation, and connections to a dynamic community of peers. And, much like Circles, True Charity supports partner organizations with templates and action steps to advocate for larger-scale systemic change. In order to offer their network some models that are already in use, data-driven, and time-tested, True Charity acts as a clearinghouse for some of the best pre-existing models in the field. Circles USA, as an endorsed partner organization, is thrilled to offer our members access to True Charity’s programming. We also celebrate the reciprocal exchange of skills and core values that CUSA participants will bring to the coalition, enriching True Charity’s toolkits with our own quarter-century-tested body of best practices for poverty alleviation.  You can learn more about the True Charity Network and tools here: truecharity.us/join NOTE : Thanks to our partnership, Circles USA chapter members can claim a 20% rebate on your first year of True Charity membership in their network. To claim, just mention Circles USA in the “how did you hear about us” box in your application.

As Circles USA continues to expand, the national office is grateful to add more infrastructure and reach to our system of chapter support. To that end, Regional coaches now support the West, the Midwest, the South, and the Mid-Atlantic regions. Working across geographic, economic, and political boundaries, each regional coach hosts monthly regional community of practice calls for mutual support and collaboration, coaches their regional chapters on a regular basis, and advises new chapters in their early design phase before launch. They also support regional collaborations to expand local Big View efforts so as to have a greater impact on systemic change and inform the national office of regional trends and needs. This blog series introduces you to Circles USA’s Regional Coaches: who they are, where they come from, and how their leadership helps realize CUSA’s vision of communities in which everyone has enough money, meaning, and friends to thrive. ++++ MY NAME IS … Hi everyone, my name is TJ Williams with Circles in Northwest Arkansas. MY IMPORTANT LIFE EXPERIENCES, JOURNEYS, CHALLENGES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE… I have been involved with Circles now for four years and was part of the launch team of the NWA chapter. I have been the coach of our chapter, as well as playing key roles in the strategic planning and development for our organization,  for three years now. I was first introduced to Circles back in 2018, when I was studying at Fuller Seminary and working at a local church on developing our outreach programs to address homelessness in our community. I am a singer-songwriter and novice gardener. I have two elementary-age kids and love traveling and hanging out with family. I am so excited to support our Central Region chapters in our work to reduce poverty!  SOMETHING SPECIAL YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT OUR REGION IS… Northwest Arkansas is one of the fastest growing regions in U.S. and faces very real challenges in keeping up with the population growth. This is especially apparent in the growing number of people who are working but struggling to afford life in our region. A MAJOR CHALLENGE WE FACE IN ALLEVIATING POVERTY IN OUR REGION IS… One of the biggest challenges and opportunities that we face is in shifting the collective understanding of what poverty is, and what it will actually take to make real progress in our communities. RECENTLY, OUR REGION HAS ACCOMPLISHED… Recently in Fayetteville, AR, our City Council officially declared a Housing Crisis. They formed a task force focused on developing solutions and recommendations for the City to consider in response. This was a culmination of two years of work, beginning with one of our Circle Leaders advocating for, and mobilizing, her own apartment complex to address concerns about living conditions and code violations. Earlier this year we convened a community-wide event titled “Home is Where the Hardship is,” with 300 in attendance. It featured many of our Circle Leaders sharing their experiences as renters in our community. The momentum for addressing housing in our community has significantly picked up, due to the hard work and partnership of many people and orgs in our community over the last two years.  ONE THING WE WANT POTENTIAL CIRCLES PARTICIPANTS TO KNOW IS… Your voice, your leadership, and your perspective on the challenges our communities are facing are vital for us to make progress towards reducing poverty. ++++ To find a local chapter or learn how Circles USA can make a difference in your community, visit https://www.circlesusa.org/start-circles?tabs=FindCircles .  Read more about Circles USA Regional Coaches on our blog . Sign up to receive our public newsletters Click the Give to Circles button  and help us celebrate 25+ years of extraordinary volunteers building community to end poverty!

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

Circles USA proudly joined chapters throughout the U.S. in celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month (NHHM). The event, which runs annually from Sept. 15-Oct. 15, spotlights “the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.” [Source] HispanicHeritageMonth.gov  emphasizes the scope of historic events and cultures that NHHM recognizes: “The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988.” The site further explains: The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza , which is October 12, falls within this 30 day period. “Today,” notes The National Museum of the American Latino , “the Latino population in the United States today is over 60 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This makes up 18.9% of the total population and is the largest racial or ethnic group. Latinos continue to help fuel our economy and enrich our nation as entrepreneurs, athletes, artists, entertainers, scientists, public servants, and much more.” Circles USA supports a small-but-growing population of participants who identify as Hispanic, with ~6% of Circle Leaders self-designating as Hispanic/Latinx/Chicanx  in 2023. Last summer’s Circles National Leadership Conference in Orlando, FL—a city which boasts a nearly 34% ethnically diverse Hispanic population —offered a workshop designed to help chapters more effectively include Spanish-speaking cohorts in chapters. CUSA recently launched an expanded range of training and marketing materials for this purpose: media that addresses key considerations before getting started, plus best practices on the journey to supporting Spanish-speaking participants. In 2024, several Circles chapters have wrapped up their initial phases of Spanish cohort-building and are working to establish more. “I'm happy to share that our Spanish group is growing,” says Nora Neumiller , Circles Spanish Facilitator with Circles Utah Valley  based in Provo, UT. “I just started the third cohort this past Tuesday and I have around 16 new Circle Leaders who are very excited to be in the class. My first Spanish cohort started in September 2023, with six Circle Leaders participating who are still coming and working with their Allies on their goals. They had a great experience that’s been very successful for some of them. Our second cohort started in April of this year, with six Circle leaders—also still coming and working on their goals with Allies.   Nora concludes, “I feel very blessed to be part of something special helping our Spanish community, as some of the Circle Leaders are new in the country and trying to learn how things work here.” Guisella Toala, an Ecuadorian American participant in Circles Utah Valley’s original Spanish cohort, speaks to the life-changing effects of her chapter’s support: "I still remember when I met Nora, my Circles coach. She was awesome and explained to me about this program at a health fair… My financial situation at that moment was terrible, but then it was the  worst . Fortunately, in Circles I found the best suggestions and teachings for being self-reliant and improving my situation. As a mom with children, every session was the perfect time while my children enjoyed time with volunteers— they are awesome too. With the help of my Allies and friends, I'm working towards my goals, and I continue working hard for my dreams and giving a better life to my family. Thanks for trusting in us, you were the exact help that I needed in my worst moments. These words are few for how grateful I feel about this program, thank you for always being my support and strength. I want to one day be able to return as much as they did for us.” Learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month in the outdoors at the National Park Service’s “Mi Parque, Mi Historia” Read New York Times-bestselling author and National Poetry Slam champion Elizabeth Acevedo’s top 5 book picks for Hispanic Heritage Month Watch a short video with a wealth of National Hispanic Heritage Month facts Sign up to receive our public newsletters Click the   Give to Circles button  and help us celebrate 25+ years of building multicultural community to end poverty!