Newspaper Page Text
www.starnewsgaonline.com StarTMews November 12, 2023 Page 13
DIRCLES OF WEST GEORGIA
From front page
Elayne Brown, Circles of West Georgia
'oordinator Coach explained how the program
rorks. “Circles is part of a national
irganization that has been around for 25 years,
’he West Georgia Chapter has been around for
igh years. Our mission is to inspire families
nd communities to work together to end
loverty. The goal is to eradicate 10% of
ioverty in the community over 10 years.”
Brown said, “The way it works is we fonn a
ircle, and the individual in poverty is the circle
eader - that individual is the leader. They go
hrough a 12 week training period where
verything in their life is revisited. They learn
letter money management and they set
!MART goals.
“The goals must be Specific, Measurable,
attainable, Realistic, and Time tabled -
!MART. They set their own goals, so they are
nvested. But they must include financial,
iersonal, and one of three: job, education, or
areer. But, they can be altered over time.”
The qualifications to be in the Circles
irogram is they must have shelter (“roof over
heir head”, they cannot be homeless); not have
ny violent crimes or crimes against children;
nd fall under the federal guidelines of poverty
vhich is 100% or less.
“And they must be committed for the
irogram to work! But, please let me add that if
homeless person asks for help, we will share
vith them resources we know of.”
The Circle header is then grouped with two
ieople whom the program calls Allies. The
mly qualification for a local citizen to be an
illy is to have a stable life.
Brown said, “The Ally is so important to the
irogram’s success. It doesn’t matter your level
if education. It is about sharing your expertise
and experiences, with
which we all have it more
than we think. Recently, a
lady said she wanted to
help in some way, but she
was ‘only a homemaker’ -
that was her area of
expertise. She was perfect!
The Ally, just like the
Circle leader, will go
through a 6 week training
program that ends at the Elavnc Brown
same time as the header’s
12-week program ends. We
try to match the Allies with
the leader by a variety of
criteria.
“Together, they go on a
18 month journey together.
Research says it takes
about that amount of time
to change a person’s
behavior.”
“We have so many Michael Berg
success stories. We have
one leader who just earned her Masters. I
started out myself with Circles as an Ally. It is
the best thing that has ever happened to me!
My leader just bought her second home. It is
such a wonderful thing!”
The program meets twice a month on
Tuesdays for one and half hours. The first half
hour includes a meal with enough provided that
the Circle leader can take home extra food. One
of those nights there will be a speaker. Of
course, and it’s undersood that the Circle group
can also meet outside of those two nights.
Circles’ research shows that:
- 62% of current Circle headers have
obtained or maintained full-time employment
- 33% of current Circle headers have
obtained or maintained part-time employment
- 20% of current Circle headers have begun
school full-time
- 56% of current Circle headers have
obtained improved transportation
Berg and Brown emphasized the need of
volunteers beyond the Ally. They need people
to volunteer on resource teams in areas like
community, recruitment, services, jobs and
education, and legislative matters. They offer a
children’s program for the families of the
headers. Of course, they need funds, but also
people and tangible items such as office
equipment. And, they can always use food
donations for the Tuesday night meetings.
“You can donate in so many different ways,”
Brown said. “We have one lady who donates
door prizes. We all have something to share—
expertise, money, or simply time. Donations
come from companies, individuals, faith based
groups, civic clubs, from everywhere!”
Currently, they have “one the best classes
ever” going on right now, Brown said. “We are
working now on forming classes for January.
We are looking for headers, Allies, and
volunteers. We like to start each class with 10
headers, which means we need 20 Allies.”
To make a donation, visit the Community
Foundation of West Georgia at cfwg.net or 807
South Park Street, Carrollton, GA 30117.
Circles of West Georgia meet and have an
office at St Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 606
Newnan Street, Carrollton. If you wish more
information: circlesofwestga.com or call
Elayne Brown or Mike Berg at 678-416-1122.
“The leader’s whole persona changes. This
program changes lives,” Brown shared. “This
program works and addresses underlying issues
of poverty. But, what it really needs is you! You
can help, please call us today. You can help in
so many ways! Please join us in this wonderful
program!”
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