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  • Home
  • About Us
    • Programming
    • Meet Our Board
  • Circles Johnson County
    • Surviving to Thriving
    • Weekly Circles Meetings
    • Circle Leader Resources
    • Ally Resources
  • Volunteer
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Circle Meeting Attendance
    • Log Volunteer Hours
    • Recognize CL/Volunteer
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Welcome

to a community fighting systemic barriers for low-to-moderate income households in Johnson County

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THE CIRCLES USA PROGRAM

What is a Circle Leader?

What is a Circle Leader?

What is a Circle Leader?

 In our community, even the people with the most ambition and drive can find themselves in tough situations that leave them with limited resources or a low-income. We call these folks Circle Leaders, individuals or families working hard to become financially stable, but struggling to cover all their expenses. And while a Circle Leader may feel stuck, we know that every person has gifts and skills that can flourish with the right amount of support. 




 

Step 1: Learn about Circles

There are several ways you can learn more about our unique approach to helping families become financially stable and reducing poverty in our community. FAQ can be found here. Email us at circlescoach@bridgesalliancejc.org or call us at  (317) 296-4568.  Ask for our Circles Coach, Jill Pierce.  


Step 2: Complete an Leader Interest Form

Once you have learned what it means to become a Circle Leader, you will need to fill out a Leader Interest Form.

COMPLETE AN INTEREST FORM

What is an Ally?

What is a Circle Leader?

What is a Circle Leader?

 What do you do when you see that many other people have not had the same opportunities as you? You become a Circle Ally and form an intentional friendship with an individual or family working toward economic stability. Circle Allies join Circle Leaders in their quest to have enough resources, relationships and purpose to thrive. Through these new relationships Circle Allies will also increase their own awareness of the complexities of poverty. Circles provides an opportunity to use this developing understanding of poverty to advocate within the community to change the systemic barriers that prevent many from becoming economically stable.

 

Step 1: Learn about Circles

There are several ways you can learn more about our unique approach to helping families become financially stable and reducing poverty in our community. FAQ can be found here.  Email us at circlescoach@bridgesalliancejc.org or call us at  (317) 296-4568.  Ask for our Circles Coach, Jill Pierce.  


Step 2: Complete an Application

Once you have learned what it means to become a Circle Ally, you will need to fill out an application.

COMPLETE AN APPLICATION

Step 3: Participate in a conversation with our Coach.

After reviewing your application, one of our Circles members will contact you to schedule a phone or in-person conversation.  Our convos are relaxed and easy.  We want to learn more about you and your dreams.  And you may ask questions to ensure that the program is a good fit for you.


Step 4: Engage in Training

Complete Circle Leader Training, a twelve-week class which will empower you to become your own problem solver. This training guides you through the process of evaluating and understanding what resources you have and what resources you need to build. You will focus on creating a plan and developing goals and a future story for yourself and your family. The choices are yours to make as you are the expert on your own life. You know if you need help with a budget, more schooling or a better job. You know what gets in your way. The Circles program helps you achieve the dreams you have for your family’s financial well-being.

Step 3: Participate in an Interview

After reviewing your application, one of our Circles members will contact you to schedule a phone or in-person interview.  Our interviews are relaxed and easy.  We want to learn more about you and your desire to become involved in Circles.  And you may ask questions to ensure that the program is a good fit for you.


Step 4: Engage in Training

Complete online Circle Ally Training, a six session, self-paced training that will help you understand the mission and model of Circles, increase your poverty IQ, learn how to be a successful Ally and know the expectations for this role.

Our Team

Our History

Our History

Our amazing team of volunteers are committed to helping households in low-to-moderate income households. We take our convictions and turn them into action.  


There are several ways to become involved with Bridges Alliance.  We also offer a spot for families, children, retirees, etc.  Take your passion and share it with others whether that is serving food, sharing your job skills with our participants, or discussing poverty related issues with community decision makers.   



Think you would be a good fit? Click on our Volunteer Page for more information!

Our History

Our History

Our History

In 2016, seeing a need for a solution to give individuals the tools and network we all need to live a sustainable life style, we formed our organization to provide sensible solutions to those in poverty.  Educating others about poverty  determined key in making systemic changes to our community.   Bridges Alliance merges two national programs to educate for our community, volunteers, and participants, Bridges Out of Poverty and Circles USA.


By 2018, our Circles Program graduated its first cohort of participants.  Past participants have  described the program as life changing, enabling them to take the steps forward that they so needed. 

  • 60% of individuals in our program have become employed or obtained better jobs. 
  • 50% have gotten housing or improved their living situation. 
  • 20% have increased their level of education. 
  • 20% have spoken in public forums about their situations.  


We've touched over 350 individuals through training, allies, volunteers, poverty simulations and awareness presentations. This is evidence that our program is making a 

difference in peoples' lives and in our community.


Our Mission

Our History

Our Mission

Our mission is a community collaboration  to end poverty and come together with low-to-moderate income households by  providing proven tools, resources, support  and relationships to foster stability and  independence.


Strategic Goals

  • Increase awareness and education of the issue of poverty.
  • Train local organizations and agencies in Bridges and Circles foundational principles.
  • Foster individuals seeking to move out of poverty using Bridges and Circles approaches.
  • Bring people from all sectors and economic classes together for weekly Circle meetings to address poverty and support individuals moving out of poverty.

What is our Circles Program

 If you or someone you know is Asset Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed or ALICE, our Circles program could be a place for them to learn and grow.  ALICE households are a new way of defining and understanding the struggles of households that earn above the Federal Poverty Level, but not enough to afford a bare-bones household budget.  Beginning Surviving to Thriving classes start soon.  Application information here. 

HELP OUR CAUSE

 Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals surrounding low-to-moderate income households in Johnson County. Your generous donation will fund our mission of come along side individuals in poverty.   

DONATE ONLINE

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