Building community to end poverty.
That's the mission of Circles USA. It's a long-term effort that's all about empowering people of low-income to move out of poverty.
Low-income participants are the program's leaders. They pair up with an middle-to-high-income ally. The idea is to gain resources and fight poverty by building circles of influence.
Alison Boston and Susan Rowe are from Circles Grand Rapids. Boston is a leader in the program and Rowe is an ally.
Listen above to hear the two women explain what social capital is, and why it's a useful tool for addressing poverty.
In Michigan, Circles groups exist in Grand Rapids, Fremont, Holland, and Washtenaw County.
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