Circles USA

Our podcast, The Big View: Ending Poverty in Your Community, is back! Join hosts Kamatara and Kris for a special episode on Bootstraps or Benefits? What’s the real answer to poverty in our country? Ask anyone, and you’ll get an opinion—likely a different one from each person. Some argue that individual responsibility and "pulling yourself up by your bootstraps" is the way forward; others believe a robust social safety net (in the form of benefits, programs, philanthropy, etc.) is the only way to ensure everyone has a fair chance. So, what’s the “right” answer? Listen now: https://tr.ee/WzoTXyZtQg

Each year around this time, Circles USA gears up to publish our Impact Report. From early drafts to video production and the countdown to announce we’re live, our national office is all-hands-on-deck to deliver amazing results to our community of practice annually. It’s with a huge internal "Yes!" that we bring you of-the-moment figures on membership growth, conference recaps, partner news, and more positive data on Big View organizing outcomes than we could have dreamed when CUSA launched more than 25 years ago. All the numbers are there…but what is Circles, beyond the sum of these moving parts? How can grassroots transformation be quantified? After three years as Circles USA’s executive director, I will tell you absolutely: It can’t be. → Continue reading: https://lnkd.in/e5d2aVSJ

We’re excited to announce a new partnership with The Monthly Move Project (TMMP), a Utah-based national initiative offering athletic funded programs for children in poverty! TMMP aims to make sports and other physical activities accessible to youth from families with limited resources with a short and simple application process that connects youth with scholarships from local sponsors. These scholarships enable children to develop athletic skills, gain confidence, and participate in organized sports programs. Learn more at themonthlymoveproject.com!

We are thrilled to welcome Rev. Kris Alexander on board as our new Chief Learning Officer for Circles USA! She shares, “Over the past 11 months as a contractor for Circles USA, I’ve been continually amazed and inspired by the incredible work this organization does, all from a relational and empathetic mindset. Every person I’ve interacted with—board members, Circle Leaders, chapter staff, and volunteers—has been a brilliant and unconditionally compassionate individual. I’ve never experienced such a large group of extraordinary people coming together to create meaningful change in one place before. Every day, I am excited and energized by the opportunity to do this impactful work, especially in a time when coming together to bridge divides feels more urgent than ever.” Read more from Kris about their vision and passion for this work on our blog! https://lnkd.in/eap9sxcs

Each year, our Lives Transformed series features Circle Leaders who embody courage and vulnerability by sharing unforgettable testimonials of their Circles journeys. Do you or a Circle Leader you know have a story we should hear about? Learn more and submit a nomination by December 13, 2024 at https://lnkd.in/dUPVVCun

This #GivingTuesday, help us end poverty for good. When you donate to Circles USA, your gift fuels the essential resources, coaching, and innovative solutions that have defined our anti-poverty work for more than 25 years, currently in 76 chapters across the nation. Your support ensures that our national network can continue its groundbreaking leadership, helping families break the cycles of poverty and build a thriving future for all of us. Become a monthly supporter or make a one time gift to Circles USA this Giving Tuesday at https://lnkd.in/eAXm-Gsn From our Circles family to yours: THANK YOU for donating today and supporting our transformational work of building community to end poverty! . . . Video featuring the Circles USA National Team: Kamatara Johnson, Executive Director Courtney Cowan, Information Systems & Design Manager Gena Atcher, Administrative Coordinator Rev. Kris Alexander, Chief Learning Officer Addie Hartnett, National Coach

The Circles USA Board is seeking Circles community members to serve on the CUSA Board Advisory Council in 2025! The council exists to create a space for dialogue between the National Board and active Circles community members. The Board’s intent is for the council to be a comfortable way for members of the Circles network to contribute, learn, and gain insight into leadership at the national level. Advisory Council members must be active participants in a Circles chapter in any role (Circle Leader, Ally, Volunteer, Coach, Coordinator, Executive Director, Community Partner, etc.). Find more details and the application form here: https://lnkd.in/eJp7MmvU

This #FamilyVolunteerDay, Circles USA gratefully acknowledges the huge gifts of time, skill, and emotional and material support that our roughly 3120 volunteers bring to accelerate change in the local chapters they serve. Volunteer power truly is the catalyst for moving CUSA families in poverty from surviving to thriving, and we thank you today—and every day. We hope you’ll enjoy these tributes to all-star Circles volunteers! 💙 Learn how your family can make a difference at your local Circles chapter! Find a chapter near you at https://lnkd.in/ekxFFMW2 . . . . . At Circles USA, our mission is building community to end poverty through intentional friendships, personal transformation, and systemic change led by the people closest to the challenge. We work at national and local levels to fulfill our vision: that all individuals live in equitable, thriving communities where poverty no longer exists.

Points of Light, the world's largest organization dedicated to volunteer service, invites our national community of practice to celebrate Family Volunteer Day on Saturday, November 23. Join a global celebration of the incredible impact families can make when they unite to support their communities and neighborhoods!

Thank you to Emerge Solutions for having Circles USA at the 2024 Together We Thrive conference! Executive Director Kamatara Johnson shares, “This conference signals a turning point for Circles USA in the national anti-poverty arena. Our organization has reconnected with previous partners and made vibrant new connections. I look forward to all the ways these new relationships can strengthen what we are all doing to alleviate poverty in the United States.” Read more about the conference on our blog: https://lnkd.in/equum_y7