Building Community to End Poverty
Circles at CSL brings neighbors together to build supportive relationships, set goals, overcome barriers, and create lasting stability.
A Community Built Around Relationships
Circles is a Relationship-Based Approach That Helps Individuals and Families Move Toward Long-Term Financial Stability
Participants work toward goals they choose for themselves while building relationships with trained community volunteers, peers, and local partners.
Together, they build the connections, confidence, opportunities, and support that can make long-term progress possible.
A Story Worth Listening To.
Every goal has a person behind it. Hear a Circles story and discover what encouragement, connection, and a community of support can mean along the way.
Your Goals. A Circle of Support.
Circles combines personal goals, supportive relationships, and community change.
You Set the Direction
Circle Leaders identify the goals that matter most to them; from better employment and stable housing to stronger finances, education, transportation, or family stability.
Walk Alongside You
Trained volunteers called Allies provide encouragement, friendship, accountability, new perspectives, and connections to opportunities in the community.
Work Together
Circle Leaders and community members identify bigger barriers that make stability difficult and work together toward better local solutions.
Circles is Something You Participate In
Not Something Done to You.
You will become part of a community that meets consistently, builds relationships, works toward goals, and celebrates progress.
Regular Gatherings
Meet with Circle Leaders, Allies, and the wider Circles community.
Goals That Matter to You
You decide what stability and progress look like for your life.
Supportive Relationships
Build connections with people who encourage you and help open doors.
Long-Term Commitment
Circles is designed around long-term relationships and lasts between 18 to 24 months.
Who is Circles a Good Fit For?
Circles may be a good fit if you are...
- Ready to move beyond crisis mode and work toward longer-term goals.
- Working toward better income, housing, transportation, education, or family stability.
- Interested in building stronger relationships and community connections.
- Ready to set goals and participate regularly.
- Looking for people who will walk with you, encourage you, and celebrate progress.
Circles is not...
- A quick emergency assistance program.
- A class where someone lectures you.
- Traditional case management.
- A program where someone else decides what your goals should be.
- A one-time appointment or short-term intervention.
You Don't Need All The Answers
Allies are people from the community who are willing to listen, encourage, connect, and consistently show up.
You do not have to be a financial expert or social worker. What matters is your willingness to build a genuine relationship with someone working toward their goals.
Wondering What Circles Is Really Like?
What is a Circle Leader?
A Circle Leader is a participant working toward greater stability. Circle Leaders identify their own goals and lead the direction of their journey.
What is an Ally?
An Ally is a trained community volunteer who builds a supportive relationship with a Circle Leader through encouragement, consistency, listening, and connections.
Do Circle Leaders choose their own goals?
Yes. The Circle Leader determines what they want to work toward. Allies and the wider Circles community provide encouragement and support rather than deciding what someone's life should look like.
Do I have to be a current CSL client?
Contact CSL to learn about current participation requirements and whether Circles is the right next step for you.
How long does Circles last?
Circles is designed around longer-term relationship building and lasts between 18 to 24 months.
You Don't Have to Work on Your Future Alone
Join Circles, become an Ally, or talk with CSL to learn more about becoming part of this community.
Funding provided by:
Circles Allies Interest Form
If you are interested in sharing your time and insight to help a neighbor make meaningful change in their life, fill out the interest form below. A CSL staff member will contact you to discuss further details.
Circles Leaders Interest Form
To take the next step, please complete and submit the form below. A CSL staff member will reach out to discuss next steps and the details of the program.