Circles of Support

Circles of Support helps motivated families transition from poverty to self-sufficiency (economically stable and gain social interdependency). We surround them with well-trained community volunteer mentors who offer guidance and support. It provides these motivated families with regular “Circles of Support” meetings and provides coaching in the areas of job acquisition and retention, medical, housing, nutrition, clothing, childcare, budgeting and finance and automobile acquisition, maintenance and insurance.

The Circles of Support program started in 2004 and has incorporated many enhancements to improve the program in 2007. Some are:

• All referrals are only being accepted by a caseworker from the following agencies: Big Brothers Big Sisters, Catholic Charities, and Stepping Stones Agencies. In addition, we are working with our new referral agencies for 2007: Child Protective Services, Department of Health, and Arizona Women’s Education and Employment.
• Creation of a Program Manual by Catholic Charities and Circles of Support to be used by other agencies in the development of their own program modeled after Circles of Support.
• A Family Selection Committee was formed and family applications are now being reviewed by this committee.

Some of the Circles of Support accomplishments include:

• Four Continuing Education and Social Activity Programs were conducted for both Circle partners and families.
• Seven vehicles were donated to the Wheels For Work Program and 5 were given to Circles and Open Door families. For years 2006 and 2007 the total received was 13 cars.
• Received grants of $1,000 from Prescott Noon Lions Club and $2,500 from the Arizona Diamondbacks for the enhancement of the educational classes for the Circles Program that will be developed in 2008.
• Circles Support and Leaders Council meetings were conducted every other month.
• Circles Training Sessions were enhanced and 3 sessions were conducted.
• Verde Valley has one ongoing Circle and one Circle is starting in February, 2008...
• Quad-City area has 4 active Circles, 1 on hold, and two pending applications to be reviewed (waiting from caseworker). Two of our Circles have been active for over 1 year. Seven applications were accepted this year and two are now active circles... Of these applications, two are couples and the rest are single moms. There are 12 children and all are under the age of 14.
• For the past year, circle support volunteers along with circle partners and leaders provided a total of 1,297 volunteer to Circles of Support.
• No interest Loan Assistance Program was developed and one loan given. Three families have been provided financial assistance for critical needs
• Director of Circles of Support became a certified trainer in the Bridges Understanding Poverty Model.

Care to join us?

We are seeking your participation in a Circle of Support or as Community Allies. Each Circle of Support consists of 5 to 7 adults who are willing to meet with their selected family on a regular basis (i.e., monthly) to build a relationship of friendship and to assist that family as they share their specific needs and wants. Community Allies are those individuals and agencies who have specific skills that they are willing to contribute to assist family members (i.e., car repair, financial coaching, dental services, haircuts).

As a leader and a volunteer within our community, we need your participation and support! To learn more about this exciting opportunity, send a message to the Circles of Support Director, Peggy Zimmerman at circlesofsupport@YavapaiCCJ.org.

CCJ © 2008
Last updated on 2/17/2008
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