What is a Circle Leader?
A Circle Leader is someone that is ready to take charge of pursuing their goals towards financial stability in a safe and encouraging environment. You will determine what a thriving life means to you and make a plan to get there. You are called a Circles Leader because your are responsible for deciding your own goals and for taking steps toward achieving them. A key Circles value is reciprocity: creating space for you to share your skills and wisdom with the community while also receiving support.
Common goals include:
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- Getting a better job
- Going back to school
- Securing reliable transportation
- Learning how to get promoted at work
- Starting a business
- Budgeting and/or saving
A successful Leader:
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- Is ready to make changes in their life
- Wants a Coach to help them figure out a plan and stick to it
- Is open to building new relationships with people from different backgrounds
- Wants to move beyond “just getting by”
Contact Diana Fonseca-Peña to learn more about becoming a Circle Leader
What is a Circle Ally?
A Circle Ally is someone that wants to share their life, build lasting relationships with their neighbors, and is committed to walking alongside a Leader on their journey to thriving.
A successful Ally:
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- Wants to “do life” with someone that has a different lived experience
- Desires to support individuals or families in achieving their goals
- Is willing to learn about the struggles facing low-income families in West Michigan
Weekly Circles meetings:
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- Meetings are Tuesday 6-8 PM OR Saturday 10AM-12 PM; you only sign up for one day.
- Arrive at Circles on time and get a plate food, grab a table, and eat family-style with the rest of the Circles community
- Next, children (of both Leaders and Allies) head into youth programming. Nursery is available.
- Adults start the meeting by sharing encouraging news from their week
- The next hour is spent working on goals, learning from topic speakers, or practicing skills
- Programming ends with everyone sharing and receiving an appreciation from another member of the group
How Else Can I get Involved?
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- Volunteer in the Circles Youth program. Contact Lisa Van Engen to learn more.
- You, your family, small group, or business can provide a meal for one of the Circles meetings
- Join a Resource Team to help connect the Circles Leaders with valuable community resources
- Be a guest speaker at a weekly meeting
Contact Lotefa Bartlett de Villarreal to Get Involved
What We Do | Affordable Housing Connections | Circles® | Clearinghouse | Faith In Youth | Third Coast Homes
