The Circles Campaign began in 1964 as a grassroots initiative in Waterbury, Connecticut to end poverty. It has since expanded to other parts of the northwest corner of the state. The campaign aims to help 500 people rise out of poverty in Waterbury, Meriden, and Torrington by 2017 through a 20-week self-sufficiency program, building social connections across class and race lines, and advocating for policy changes at the state level.

1. Circles ™ Campaign

2. Community Action Agency since 1964 Began as grass roots initiative in Waterbury Has expanded in the Northwest corner of CT Maintains mission of ending poverty. Learned about Circles from Move the Mountain Saw clear link between MTM and NOI’s mission Realized potential for Circles Began planning process in 2006

3. 1000 communities learning together to reduce poverty by 2017 Research on what works and barrier analysis Media campaign on the 5000 Stories to change public opinion about poverty Training Centers to teach others how Advocacy to change public policies

5. Circles Campaign in Waterbury, Meriden and Torrington 500 people out of poverty by 2017 Change the mind set of the community in Waterbury, Meriden and Torrington regarding poverty Become a Training Center Participate in Advocacy at the State Level for Change

6. Intentionally building relationships across class and race lines and creating a community to end poverty

7. Social Capital—building a community of relationships across class and race lines

8. aha! Process—teaches the hidden rules of class so we can build social capital A Framework for Understanding Poverty Bridges Out of Poverty Getting Ahead

9. From: Some poverty is normal and tolerable. To: No poverty is tolerable or necessary.

10. From: The full responsibility lies with the individual. To: The responsibility is shared with individual, community and government.

11. From: Providing piecemeal assistance. To: Helping people completely out of poverty.

12. From: We will deliver services to you on behalf of the community. To: We will help you build community around your family and neighborhood so you reach your dreams.

13. Mental models for understanding poverty, middle class and wealth. Hidden rules of class to improve relationships, resolve conflicts, and design effective approaches. Common language for building relationships across class and race lines.

14. Mental Model for Poverty

15. Mental Model for Middle Class

16. Mental Model for Wealth

17. Survival, relationships, entertainment Work, achievement Financial, political, social connections POVERTY MIDDLE CLASS WEALTH DRIVING FORCES

18. Present most important Decisions made for the moment based on feelings or survival Traditions and history most important Decisions made partially on basis of tradition/decorum Future most important Decisions made against future ramifications POVERTY MIDDLE CLASS WEALTH TIME

19. Believes in fate Cannot do much to mitigate chance Noblesse oblige Believes in choice Can change future with good choices now POVERTY MIDDLE CLASS WEALTH DESTINY

20. Casual register Language is about survival Formal register Language is about networking Formal register Language is about negotiation POVERTY MIDDLE CLASS WEALTH LANGUAGE

21. Guiding Coalition—community-based group of diverse leaders Getting Ahead Bridges Out of Poverty Circle with 2-5 allies for each family Weekly meetings Monthly Big View meeting Other self-sufficiency supports

23. 20-week self-sufficiency planning process Preparation for Circles Community Assessment on Poverty Problem solving at the community level

27. Car Donations Revolving Loans Matched Savings Programs (IDAs) Housing Job Coaching Brokering other community and basic needs resources

28. Earned income Education Support system (Social Capital) Safe Housing Health insurance Stable environment Higher resources

29. Financial Emotional Mental Spiritual Social Capital Formal Language Register Relationships Physical Integrity Motivation Knowledge of Hidden Rules

30. Financial Emotional Mental Spiritual Physical Support System Relationships Hidden Rules Integrity Motivation 5 4 3 2 1

31. Increased earned income More education Reduced welfare benefits Better transportation, housing, and healthcare Stronger support system Better emotional health

32. Circles is community driven Guiding Coalition leads the initiative Volunteers needed to make meals, donate space, provide presentations, programs for the children Allies come from the community Financial resources needed Leaders are referred by social service agencies

33. Finding people who are 9s and 10s Explaining Circles Unknown program Follow-through Keeping people engaged Keep up the momentum of volunteers Allies and Guiding Coalition members get busy Bringing people together from differing backgrounds

34. ITS ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS!

38. Take what we have learned from Bridges and apply it to our initiative: IT’S ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS Use what people in poverty know, the relationship matters over achievement Following this model will lead us to achieving