The Journey To Self Reliance

Circles graduates complete 12 week course- Photo by Chris Kuebler/TrueNorth Community Services

Circles Newaygo County Graduates Second Class of Leaders

NEWAYGO COUNTY— Circles Newaygo County’s second class of participant leaders has graduated en route to working toward goals of self-sufficiency.
The aim by Circles Newaygo County is to reduce poverty through individuals, called Circle Leaders. They get paired with community volunteers, called Allies, who work with them on their journeys toward self-reliance.
The 10 graduates completed 12 weeks of training. The accomplishments by the group, called a cohort, were celebrated in ceremonies December 21. Two shared their stories with an audience at TrueNorth Community Services’ Service Center in Fremont, and a member of Circles Newaygo County’s 10-person first class welcomed the newest graduates.
The collaborative effort, generously funded by a Fremont Area Community Foundation grant, pairs the Circle Leaders and Allies with others in the community. The mission is to share networks and form friendships.
Research shows people who struggle economically often lack resources and connections. Circles Newaygo County focuses on empowerment that enables leading themselves out of poverty.
Circle Leaders work to be economically self-sufficient. Allies commit to about six hours monthly for 18 months to help Circle Leaders reach goals ranging from home ownership and job retention to furthering their education, situation and family’s outlook.
The Circles community includes other volunteers in a variety of supportive roles. It gathers Thursday evenings from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Fremont United Methodist Church — with childcare and a meal provided.
For anyone interested in joining the initiative laboring to end poverty, contact Michelle Marciniak at (231) 924-0641 ext. 220, or mmarciniak@truenorthservices.org. For more details, visit http://www.truenorthservices.org/Circles-Newaygo-County.