Circles 30 Minute Overview

Clark County CirclesC

Move the Mountain, aha! Process, Inc.& Think Tank, Inc.

Presents

The CirclesTM Campaign



Our Preferred Future

Working Together to End Poverty in Our Community…

One Family at a Time


A Community Where

All people have sufficient:

• Resources• Relationships• Reason/Meaning

In their lives to THRIVE


Circles A supportive, structured way for people to build

friendships across class & race lines.

Characteristics:• Increases the capacity of helping

organizations by overcoming the limitations of the human services helping model

• Engages the community• Addresses systems barriers that people

encounter and• Develops leadership within the community


What We’ve Learned

• Education and new relationships across class lines help people move

out of poverty

• Formal government and non-profit services are more effective when combined with informal supports


We Know That…

• Poverty is on the rise• A change in approach is needed

• Once people get close to the pain and suffering they will be willing to move

mountains IF…

They are invited in AND

Shown how they can help!


Cost of Raising Children in Poverty

• Increased health care $170B• Increased crime $160B• Reduced productivity and • Economic output $160B

TOTAL $500B

Cost to us per child raised in poverty$38,000 per year


CirclesIntentionally build relationships across CLASS and RACE lines to

end poverty

A circle is 2-5 Allies Befriending a family leaving poverty


Community Team

CirclesTeam

Resources Team

Big View Team

Planning Team


Early Results from Circle Initiatives Show

• Increased earned income• More education

• Reduction in reliance upon public assistance

• Better transportation, housing, and healthcare

• Stronger support system• Better emotional health


Research Emphasizes It Takes…

Social CapitalSocial Capital

& Education& Education


Building Social Capital

aha! Process teaches the hidden rules of class so we can build social capital

Bridges out of Poverty

Getting Ahead


But It Takes More Than Individual Change

Community Must Change

Agencies Must Change

Policy Must Change


To Ultimately End Poverty

The Community’s Mindset Must Change

Which changes the goals…And the rules…

And the outcomes…


Community Mindset

From…Some poverty is normal and tolerable

To…No poverty is tolerable or necessary


Community Mindset

From…The full responsibility lies with the

individual

To…The responsibility is shared with the

individual, community and government


Community Goals

From…Providing piecemeal assistance

To…Helping people completely out of

poverty


Providing families with services that are NOT

coordinated

Family

ServiceSystem

s

Community of Friends,

Neighbors, and Contacts


Providing families with coordinated services and enduring community relationships

Circle

Family

Guiding Coalitio

n

ServiceDeliverySystem

Case Manager

Community EngagementModel

Community of Friends,Neighbors, and Contacts


Feature 1: Getting Ahead

15-week self-sufficiency planning process

Preparation for Circles

Community Assessment on Poverty

Problem solving at the community level


Feature Two: Bridges Out of PovertyMental models for understanding poverty, middle class and wealth

Hidden rules of class to improve relationships, resolve conflicts, and

design effective approaches

Common language for building relationships across class and

race lines


Feature Three: Weekly Community

Meetings

Weekly meals with relevant community topics


Feature Four: Circles

Monthly small group sessions with Circle leaders and Allies: building relationships &

supporting Circle leader goals


Feature Five: Big View Meetings

Monthly meetings dealing with eliminating barriers in the community


What Do I Have to Give?


Time• Become an Ally

• Help plan community support meetings

• Donate a meal • Share your talents

• Special skills• Become a part of a leadership team


Talent

Share your personal talents• fixing a car

• providing legal council• preparing a meal

• managing a budgetAnd so much more!


Treasure

There are many ways to give and many levels of giving that you may choose to participate in. Find a level

that works best for you.


For More Information

National Campaignwww.movethemountain.org

Think Tank, Inc.Karin VanZant, Executive [email protected] www.thinktank-inc.org (937) 727-9232

Circles 30 Minute Overview

Documents

community goals

community mindset

community level

individual change community

community support meetings

circles community assessment

toend poverty

poverty problem