As 2022 slowly begins to wind down, one program facilitated by Blue Ridge Community Action is just starting to gear up! The Burke County Circles™ Initiative, part of the larger national Circles™ USA organization, is launching a new cohort on Thursday, October 6th 2022 in Morganton, NC. This program only requires program participants, also called Circles Leaders, to attend once a week on Thursdays from 5:30pm-7:30pm. Child care and meals are provided, and participants can also earn a $35 incentive at each meeting they attend for this current cohort.
Circles™ USA is a national program that seeks to inspire and equip communities to help reduce poverty and remove barriers that stand in the way to self sufficiency. It is a non-partisan, non-faith based organization that strives for those dealing with hardship to be connected to a "circle" of mentors to assist them in challenging those barriers. Many volunteer mentors in our local Burke County Circles™ Initiative are middle or upper middle class folks from all walks of life that share one common goal: to improve the lives of those in their community. Circles™ program participants are provided with the training, networking, and social capital that are essential to rising above poverty.
Each Circles™ initiative is developed and designed by a coalition of committed community leaders. The Coalition works to change the mind set and policies of the community with respect to poverty. The Burke County Coalition was initiated by a coalition of United Methodist Churches, local community leaders, human service representatives, and local government representatives.
The family, the circle leader, establishes goals and objectives and establishes the direction and activities that results in positive steps to moving out of poverty.
Circle leaders attend a 15 week group training program to assess current relationships, resources and reasons or purpose for making positive life changes.
The circle leader is partnered with community allies.
Allies are middle and upper in-come members of the community who befriend families and lend needed support to guidance on building financial, emotional and social resources.
Each circle leader is matched with 2 – 4 allies.
The Coalition will recruit and train allies.
Blue Ridge Community Action is still actively looking for Leaders and Mentors to join our program for this fall cohort! For those interested in learning more or joining this cohort as a participant or as a volunteer mentor, please contact Kenya Hemphill at 828-438-6255 x412, or by emailing burkecountycirclescoordinator@gmail.com.
You can also apply online using the BRCA website by clicking HERE.
