Become an Ally!

Save to Favorites

Circle Allies are community members who want to be in a supportive, intentional, relationship with an individual or family working to get out of poverty. Circle Allies work with Circle Leaders to figure out how to accomplish their plan. You’ll walk side-by-side with the Circle Leaders challenging poverty, barriers, race, injustice and hope. And build new friendships along the way.

We are looking for middle- to upper-income volunteers interested in forming intentional friendships with individuals and families who are working their way out of poverty. Volunteers help Circle Leaders--our program participants--build social and emotional capital, while also providing a support system as they work on achieving their individual employment and educational goals.

Circle Allies commit 4-10 hours each month to be in relationship with their Circle Leader and the larger Circles Group community. The first meeting of each month is the "matched Circle." On this night the Circle Leader and Circle Allies work specifically on the goals of the Circle Leader - these goals range from getting a bank account, to filling out a FAFSA form, to moving towards homeownership. Circle Allies are also encouraged to attend the third meeting of each month which is called "Big View." On Big View night, the collective Circles Group of Leaders and Allies work together to address poverty issues and barriers that affect the group as well as the larger community. You also meet once a month outside of the formal Circles group, at a coffee shop or other casual place to work with your matched Circle.

For more information, please contact Sam Plummer at sam@monvalleycircles.org or 201-532-1803. You can also find more information about the Circles organization and becoming an ally on our website: http://circlespgh.org/get-involved/be-an-ally/

Watch CNN coverage of the Circles model: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFlwRfFzWl0