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:

• Referrals are only being accepted from the following agencies: Big Brothers Big Sisters, Catholic Charities, and Stepping Stones Agencies. In addition, we are working with our new referral agencies 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.
• Vehicles were donated to the Wheels For Work Program and were given to Circles and Open Door families. To date a total of 16 cars have been received.
• 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 are being developed in this year.
• Circles Support and Leaders Council meetings were conducted every other month.
• Circles Training Sessions were enhanced and 4 sessions were conducted, producing 6 Certified Circle Leaders.
• Verde Valley has ongoing Circles and one Circle is starting scoon.
• Quad-City area has 3 active Circles, 1 on hold, and two pending applications to be reviewed. 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, one is couple and the rest are single women. There are 10 children involved, 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

Care to join us?

We are seeking your participation in a Circle of Support or as Community Allies. Each Circle of Support consists of no more than five adults who are willing to meet with their selected family on a regular basis (i.e., weekly in the beginning, and then monthly for support) to build a relationship of friendship and to assist that family as they share their specific needs and goals. 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, Marlene Hammond at circlesofsupport@YavapaiCCJ.org.

CCJ © 2009
Last updated on 7/12/2008
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