The Capital City Circles Initiative is a community-based program in Carson City, Nevada that assists families living in poverty achieve the goal of self-sufficiency through education and supportive friendships with "Allies"; middle-class members from the community.

After completing a 20-week "Getting Ahead..." workshop, the families, thereafter referred to as Circle Leaders, are matched with 3-5 Allies to form a "Circle." From that point on each Circle meets once or twice a month to build friendships and work on the Circle Leader’s dreams, plans and goals for achieving economic self-sufficiency.

Families participating in the program typically take 18 to 24 months to achieve self-sufficiency, at which time they become Allies, completing the circle of reciprocity, and helping other families achieve self-sufficiency. The chart below illustrates the basic structure of a Circle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3rd Getting Ahead Graduation July 2011