Five County Community Action Partnership
Circles Program
Circles is a nation-wide initiative focused on helping individuals and families overcome poverty and become self-reliant.
Circles Out of Poverty
A Circles USA chapter convenes individuals who are determined to transition out of poverty and pairs them with volunteers from middle-income and high-income backgrounds. These volunteers offer essential support and motivation to help participants along their path to self-sufficiency.
This program doesn't just impact individuals' lives, but also transforms the communities where they reside.
The Circles program includes in-person training sessions and weekly gatherings. Those taking part, referred to as Circle Leaders, establish relationships with volunteers known as Allies. Each week, Leaders, Allies, and their families convene, enjoy a meal together, and engage in shared learning experiences. It's worth noting that our program is family-friendly, welcoming children to also join in the activities.
Over the course of time, these connections support families in moving beyond poverty and attaining economic security. By recognizing and addressing the obstacles that perpetuate poverty, participants evolve into champions dedicated to addressing these challenges within our community. Gradually, the experiences—both opportunities and challenges—encountered by families are communicated to the broader Hilton Head Island community to acknowledge achievements and address barriers effectively.
FAQs
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Success in nearly any endeavor is influenced by the people and resources that surround us— our circle of friends, our sphere of influence, the cyclical nature of habits, and even the sweeping hands of a clock. When we encircle ourselves with a positive “circle of support” composed of volunteers, staff, ad the community, achieving self-reliance becomes much more attainable.
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A Circle Leader is an individua or family who is committed to moving out of poverty and reaching 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, has completed the Circle Leader training, and is ready to share his or her story to support systematic changes within the community. They take a leadership role n their own lives and plan their path out of poverty. They are the leader of their circle.
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Potential Circle Leaders should contact the Circles Coach at Five County. The Coach will then schedule your intake to determine eligibility.
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The critical key to the success of Circles is matching Circle Leaders (families) to Allies for at lest 12-18 months. Allies are community volunteers who offer coaching, job leads, problem-solving assistance, and the essential modeling required to secure and retain good employment. They expand the social capital of Circle Leaders by giving them access to their own social networks, which are often wider, stronger, and more diverse.
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Creating a Circle involves the process of pairing a Circle Leader with a group of 3 to 4 Allies. This matching is carefully done by considering the shared interests and family objectives of each individual involved in the Circle.
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Working with the same volunteers each week provides Circle Leaders with more structure. Therefore, we discourage couples from splitting Ally responsibilities.
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Of course! A free children’ program is offered at very weekly meeting. We have a excellent children’s program with curriculum. Your kids will not just be “babysat,” they will learn leaning meaningful topics each week including volunteerism, anti-bullying, nutrition, building relationships, etc.