Allies are volunteers from the community who are interested in befriending a local family or individual through their journey out of poverty. The primary responsibility of a Circles of Support ally is to be a friend. Allies possess and demonstrate emotional stability along with the mental and physical capacity to engage fully in the leadership duties that the ally role requires. An ally demonstrates financial responsibility, strives to lead a balanced life, and does not consider themselves to be in poverty. Allies are ready and willing to explore his/her own biases around differences in socioeconomic status, race, religion, ability, etc, in an environment that is free of blaming.

Weekly Meetings:
Circles Community Leadership meetings are held weekly from 6-8 pm at local churches. Meals and child-care are provided each week. These meetings are not open to the public. Group members are welcome to invite interested individuals on designated “Bring a Friend” dates. Allies are expected to attend these meetings at least one time per month throughout the duration of their Circles membership.

Responsibility & Attendance:
It is the responsibility of allies to communicate with Circles staff and the members of their own Circle regarding meeting attendance along with any issues or concerns that arise. Allies do not support negative attitudes or stereotypes of people in poverty. Allies must be willing to make time in their life to honor the responsibility to their ally role. Allies are required to meet with their individual Circle at least one time per month.

Goal Setting:
Allies assist in progress toward goals set by their Circle family in one of three focus areas:

1. Income & Assets
2. Education & Training
3. Friends & Meaning

Allies choose the focus area they prefer to focus on.  Circles of Support staff work with participants to set new goals every six months. Participants are in charge of the Circle of Support and their journey out of poverty. Allies are guides in the process.

Ally support meeting:
Allies are expected to attend this monthly meeting to share with other members what is new and good in your Circle along with what is challenging.

In general, an ally is willing to learn about and acknowledge the barriers, both social and personal, to getting off public assistance, obtaining living wage work and moving out of poverty. This learning occurs while the ally tries not to support any patterns of dependency these barriers may have instilled in the participant.

As your friendships develop within the Circle of Support, an ally is willing to gently nudge the participant out of any old behaviors or beliefs that do not serve his/her growth. Allies will also define and be honest about limits and boundaries. It is not useful to allow participants to violate personal boundaries around time and energy available for these relationships; resentment will build and the relationship will suffer. Support around these issues is available to allies during monthly ally support meetings.

Where do I begin?

1. Attend the next Bring A Friend meeting to experience the Circles of Support community. Call Circles of Support staff for the date
2. Complete designated ally training requirements
3. Complete ally questionnaire
4. Get matched with a Circles family or individual to form your own Circle of Support
5. Join Circles of Support community – begin attending Community Leadership meetings at least once a month
6. Communicate regularly with your Circle members through meetings and phone calls
7. Attend Ally Support meetings
8. Have fun! Enjoy making a difference in other’s lives!

Friends are quiet angels who lift us to our feet
when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.