Tia Felts, CMCA's Community Coordinator for the Circles program in Boone County, was recently spotlighted in a
"Movers and Shakers" forum through Prudential!
Circles is a high impact strategy designed to eliminate poverty. It focuses on the issue of social factors associated with poverty and offers opportunities to develop intentional, positive relationships across race and class lines. Circles intends to increase the social capital of families with low income so that they have the capacity to improve their situations.
Each
Circles initiative consists of families working to establish financial security, called a Circle Leader, and several middle and upper income Allies who befriend them and lend support. Both the participating families and Allies work through parallel curricula to learn about poverty in the US, the hidden rules of class, community planning and involvement, and resource development. With this foundation in place, a reciprocal relationship built on trust, support, and friendship can be developed, participants can expand their social network within their communities, and emotional and financial stability can be sought.
Circles is a project that is truly transforming lives - not only the lives of low-income families in mid-Missouri, but the overall vitality of our communities. During weekly meetings, Circles members discuss issues that deeply affect our communities, from parenting skills and neighborhood safety to addressing the effects of payday loans.
For more information about Circles or to get involved either as a Circle Leader or as an Ally, contact Colita Harvey (Circle Leaders) at Colita-Harvey@showmeaction.org or 573-443-8731, ext. 214 or Tia Felts (Allies) at Tia-Felts@showmeaction.org or 573-443-8731, ext. 213!