Most of you already know about and have helped with "Circles", but here is a
nice one-page description if you know anyone else interested in
volunteering. They are looking hard for a new round of "allies" to start in
the next month or two.
Also, Suzi White (suzi.swit...@gmail.com) is going to start heading up the
next iteration of the Exodus team of "food volunteers" once every-other
month next year (probably January, March, May)
Let me (or her) know if you're interested in being a part!
Stephanie
Why is the
Monroe County CirclesR Initiative
so important?
Text Box: In Monroe County.. National poverty rate in 2007 held steady at
12.5%
. 30.2% of people in poverty are children under the age of 18
. Of people over age 25 who are in poverty, 29.6% are employed
. 60.2% have worked part-time or for at least part of the year in the last
12 months
. 67.6% have less than a high school degree or GED
. Bloomington Census Data: poverty rate increased by nearly 7% - from 34.7%
to 41.6% from 2006 to 2007
CirclesR is an intentional way for people to build relationships across
class and race lines to end poverty in their communities. CirclesR is a high
impact strategy that will:
* Change the mind-set of the community so it wants to end poverty
* Change goals, policies, and approaches to end poverty
* Empower people in poverty to help solve community problems while
transitioning out of poverty themselves
A Circle is a supportive, intentional, reciprocal, befriending relationship
made up of one Circle Leader who is living in poverty and two to five
Circles Allies who usually are from middle class. A Circle typically meets
once or twice a month to build friendships and to work on the Circle
Leader's dreams, plans, and goals.
A Circle Leader is an individual or family with a low-income who is
interested in meeting her/his household needs on a consistent basis and
becoming self-sufficient-. The Circle Leader is responsible for her or his
Circle; convening, leading, and giving and receiving support. She or he will
work with the Allies to complete her/his plan that was developed in the
Getting Ahead group and with the Circles Coach. Getting Ahead prepares
Circle Leaders to take a leadership role in the Circle and to use their
knowledge and skills as problem solvers to work on poverty issues in the
community as well.
Circle Allies are community members who want to be in a supportive,
intentional, befriending relationship with an individual or family working
to get out of poverty. Circle Allies work with the Circle Leader to figure
out how to accomplish her or his plan. Within the guidelines set by the
Community Guiding Coalition, Circle Allies do what makes sense and what
brings joy to the relationship. Circle Allies are trained in Bridges out of
Poverty as a way to work with Circle Leaders in supporting their plans to
get out of poverty.
CirclesR provides support, making the sort of personal and community
connections that are important to success.
CirclesR needs your help!
"How can I join the CirclesR Community?"
Become an Ally!
As an Ally, you will provide friendship, acting as a sort of extended family
member to a person or family living in poverty. You and your Circle will
work together to accomplish specific goals set by the Circle Leader in order
to increase his or her resources. As you walk alongside your Circle Leader,
you will provide valuable knowledge and insight relating to a variety of
life circumstances, whether it is financial or educational input, or social
connections. We ask that you commit to your Circle for 18 months. You will
also learn to see poverty in a different light, dispelling stereotypes about
people who live in poverty.
After you are matched with a Circle, you will:
- Once a month, meet with your Circle
- Twice a month, attend the Thursday evening community dinner and
meeting
- Contact you Circle Leader and their other allies as needed
throughout the month
Every Thursday we gather for our CirclesR community dinner and meeting -
volunteers make this possible!
Be a Youth Volunteer!
Every Thursday evening, we meet for a community meal and meeting. Children
are welcome to these meetings and after dinner they attend their own
programming while their parents meet. Children of all ages participate in
educational and character building activities. We are always looking for
responsible, fun, and friendly volunteers to assist with the Youth
Community.
Be a Food Volunteer!
Our food volunteers provide a delicious meal for the entire CirclesR
community each week. We are looking for fun and enthusiastic volunteers to
help plan, shop, prepare, serve, and clean! Dinner is from 6:00 - 6:30 and
food volunteers are generally needed between 4:30 and 8:00, although this
may vary depending on preparation and clean-up time. Feel free to volunteer
as often as you like, but there is no week-to-week obligation. This is a
great opportunity for a group!
Be a Transportation Volunteer!
Lack of transportation is often a barrier for people who live in poverty.
If you have a good driving record, valid driver's license and insurance, you
can help! You will use your own vehicle to transport CirclesR families to
and from community meetings. We can provide and install car seats if
needed.
Weekly CirclesR community meetings are held on Thursday evenings, 6:00 -
8:30 p.m. at St. Mark's United Methodist Church, at East 3rd St. and E. 46
Bypass, behind Starbucks. Volunteers are always invited to enjoy the free
dinner.
Interested? Contact our Volunteer Coordinator at (812) 339-3447, ext. 283
or <mailto:gen...@sccap.monroe.in.us> circlevolunt...@insccap.org
For general inquiries contact Linda Patton (ext. 206) or Carrie Felton
(ext.263)
The Monroe County CirclesR Initiative is part of the South Central Community
Action Program
www.insccap.org
