Leadership
Buzz Ritchie
Team Chairs
Education: Ted Kirchharr
Environment: Dr. Enid Sisskin
Health: Dr. Debra Vinci
Poverty: Tim Evans
Sponsors
Partners
212 individuals
70 Organizations
7 Sponsors
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Bridges to Circles |
A community initiative from Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida in coordination with Unite Escambia's Poverty Solutions Team. Bridges to Circles matches highly motivated people living in poverty with allies who provide emotional support and assist with life issues. Bridges to Circles is a safe way for people to build friendships across socio-economic and race lines.
Disclaimer: Video compliments of Prosper Pensacola partner Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida.
Community Impact
- Engages the community in solving poverty
- Develops leadership within the community
- Increases the capacity of helping organizations
- Addresses systems' barriers that people experience
What is a Circle?
A Circle is an individual or family working to get out of poverty and two to four allies who support them in their efforts to develop the emotional, intellectual, financial, and spiritual resources necessary for self-sufficiency and stability.
What is a Circle Leader?
The Circle Leader is an individual or family of low income who is interested in becoming self-sufficient. The Circle Leader is responsible for leading the circle as well as receiving and giving support within the circle. Before being matched with Allies, a Circle Leader must complete the fifteen week Getting Ahead in a Just Gettin' by World class. The Circle Leader works with the Allies to build his or her life plan while using their knowledge and skills as problem-solvers and poverty experts to work on the poverty issues in their community.
What is an Ally?
An ally is a volunteer engaged in an intentional, befriending relationship with an individual or family working on his or her plan to becoming self-sufficient. Within the guidelines set by Bridges to Circles, allies do what make sense and what bring joy to the relationship. Before being matched with a Circle Leader, an ally attends a Bridges Out of Poverty workshop and a Hands-On Ally training. Allies are asked to attend at least twice each month to build their relationship with their Circle Leader.
Click here to view ally job description.
When do Circles Meet?
Bridges to Circles meet weekly on Tuesdays from 5:30-7:30pm at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 1212 East Moreno Street at Twelfth Avenue. The time includes dinner and then a focused event for Circle Leaders, allies, and community members. Activities for children and youth are provided after dinner.
2011-2012 Weekly Meeting Calendar
For more information on becoming a Circle Leader or an ally, contact Bridges to Circles at Catholic Charities Outreach Center, 1815 N 6th Ave, Pensacola, FL 32503
Contact Us:
Haley Richards
Bridges to Circles Community Organizer
richardsh@cc.ptdiocese.org
Office: (850)429-7296, ext. 17
Estella Lee
Bridges to Circles Coach
leee@cc.ptdiocese.org
Office: (850)429-7296, ext. 21
The Circles® Campaign uses the concepts found in Bridges Out of Poverty [Bridges] and Getting Ahead in a Just-Getting’-by World [Getting Ahead™], presented in partnership with publisher, aha! Process, Inc., and DeVol & Associates, LLC. These concepts engage people of all classes, races, sectors, and political persuasions in the work of ending poverty and building communities where everyone can live well. Bridges and Getting Ahead™ provide a common language for Guiding Coalitions, Allies, and Circle Leaders. The application of Bridges and Getting Ahead constructs provides an accurate mental model of poverty and class, a way to build relationships of mutual respect, an understanding of the barriers faced by people who are transitioning out of poverty, and a comprehensive systemic way to address all the causes of poverty.