Circles NWA is a community-driven program that works to increase upward mobility for individuals and families in poverty in Northwest Arkansas. Based on the national Circles®USA model, the Circles program builds intentional relationships (social capital) across socioeconomic lines that help open up long-term pathways for economic mobility and self sufficiency.
BUILDING COMMUNITY TO END POVERTY
Circles Reduces Poverty
Circles is about building intentional relationships across income lines with the goal of reducing — not managing — poverty. While middle- and upper-income families enjoy supportive networks through their jobs, schools, and neighborhoods, families living in poverty often lack such crucial connections, making it difficult to get ahead despite being hardworking and motivated. Circles brings people together in a supportive, intentional community where advice is shared, connections are built, and real opportunities for upward mobility emerge.
Circles Strengthens Communities
In Circles, volunteers and participants grow and learn together. While participants navigate paths toward economic stability, volunteers gain an in-depth knowledge of the roots and complexity of poverty in their community. At monthly “Big View” meetings, city leaders, business owners, and other community members come together to identify and discuss the barriers that keep people stuck and work on solutions. By shifting mindsets and approaches, we believe that communities have the power to go beyond managing poverty and actually reduce it.
Circles Works!
Communities across the nation are using Circles because the results speak for themselves. After 18 months, participants see an average 71% increase in their income and an increase in the number of people they can call on for support. At a broader level, communities are removing barriers that keep entire populations stuck in poverty, revising unjust eviction policies, fighting predatory loan practices, and engaging in advocacy efforts to mitigate the Cliff Effect.
A community-driven solution to poverty.
Circles NWA is a community-driven program that works to increase upward mobility for individuals and families in poverty in Northwest Arkansas. Based on the national Circles®USA model, the Circles program builds intentional relationships (social capital) across socioeconomic lines that help open up long-term pathways for economic mobility and self sufficiency.
CIRCLES REDUCES POVERTY
Circles is about building intentional relationships across income lines with the goal of reducing — not managing — poverty. While middle- and upper-income families enjoy supportive networks through their jobs, schools, and neighborhoods, families living in poverty often lack such crucial connections, making it difficult to get ahead despite being hardworking and motivated. Circles brings people together in a supportive, intentional community where advice is shared, connections are built, and real opportunities for upward mobility emerge.
CIRCLES STRENGTHENS COMMUNITIES
In Circles, volunteers and participants grow and learn together. While participants navigate paths toward economic stability, volunteers gain an in-depth knowledge of the roots and complexity of poverty in their community. At monthly “Big View” meetings, city leaders, business owners, and other community members come together to identify and discuss the barriers that keep people stuck and work on solutions. By shifting mindsets and approaches, we believe that communities have the power to go beyond managing poverty and actually reduce it.
CIRCLES WORKS!
Communities across the nation are using Circles because the results speak for themselves. After 18 months, participants see an average 71% increase in their income and an increase in the number of people they can call on for support. At a broader level, communities are removing barriers that keep entire populations stuck in poverty, revising unjust eviction policies, fighting predatory loan practices, and engaging in advocacy efforts to mitigate the Cliff Effect.
GET INVOLVED
Are you tired of living paycheck-to-paycheck? Do you want to improve yourself and achieve your goals but feel stuck? Apply to be a Circle Leader!
Volunteer to walk alongside an individual or family as a friend and ally as they set goals, achieve their dreams, and work hard to overcome the obstacles to financial stability!
As much as we might want to believe that hard work and making the “right” choices are enough to move out of poverty, the reality is far more complex.
