The Circles® Campaign is a national, transformational approach to reduce poverty that partners volunteers and community leaders with individuals and families wanting to make the journey out of poverty.

Circle Leaders, folks with ambition who face barriers that leave them with low incomes, set goals based on their unique needs and skills. Together with supportive volunteers called Circle Allies, they cultivate a friendship across social class and create a plan to achieve economic stability. The Circle Allies, in turn learn about the realities and barriers that exist for families in poverty. As Circle Leaders make strides toward stability, they work together with the support of the whole Circles Community to raise awareness of their lived experiences as well as identify and eliminate obstacles that perpetuate poverty.

PSG is the Lead Organization for Circles Central Florida which includes Orange, Osceola, and Seminole Counties and a Regional Hub for Circles USA serving Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama. There are currently two locations in Central Florida: Circles West Orange and Circles Orlando.

Visit CirclesUSA.org to learn more about the national Circles movement that is building community to end poverty.

Chantel, Circle Leader now Ally

John, 3 time Circle Ally

Vanity, Circles Leader

Bonita, Circle Leader now Coach

Building Community

Circles brings folks together from all income levels.

Poverty is, in part, created and perpetuated by social isolation, so by hosting an accessible weekly meeting, Circles creates a sense of belonging, connections to needed resources, as well as a chaos-free space away from the daily stresses of life to focus on goal setting and planning. When people are able to access the relationships and resources they need to thrive, stability and abundance grow.

Circles Children and Youth Track

Breaking the cycle of generational poverty means engaging the whole family.

As the lives of Circle Leaders and Circle Allies are transformed, so are the lives of their children and grandchildren. Circles offers a unique experience for children of all ages that parallels the experience of their caregivers in Circles. Children and Youth learn community building principles, develop an in-depth understanding of poverty and improve their life skills. Families from all backgrounds transform their lives together.

Circles Financial Initiatives

The Circles Central Florida Financial Initiatives were established by a team of Circle Leaders, Circle Allies and other area experts. The pilot project has found great success through the Circles location in West Orange with developing plans to fund these initiatives across Central Florida.

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Education Grant Initiative

The Circles Education Grant Initiative serves to provide a source of financial assistance for Circle Leaders who would like to further their education or gain a certification to enhance their ability to perform at their current job or to qualify for a new job. This may include, but is not limited to, funding for tuition, supplies, materials, tools, certification fees, exam fees, etc. This initiative is intended to facilitate efforts of the Circle Leaders to increase their employment or ability to be employed so that they can improve their economic stability.

Credit Restoration Loan Initiative

The Circles Credit Restoration Loan Initiative serves to provide a source of low interest financial assistance for Circles participants to consolidate debt, improve credit scores and/or access lower interest financing for larger purchases. This initiative is intended to assist Circle Leaders in acquiring needed goods or services that will increase household income or reduce debt so that they can improve financial stability.

Matched Savings Initiative

The Matched Savings Initiative is a financial support initiative for Circle Leaders. The goal of the initiative is to provide matched savings funds for Circle Leaders with the intent of helping individuals establish a habit of savings; plan and fund future goals; and create a reserve that will be available for emergencies, holidays, and unexpected expenses.

Jobs and Education

Creating education and career pathways to connect unemployed and underemployed to the fastest growing careers in Central Florida.

The Jobs & Education team works with Circle Leaders to:
- Support goals and plans of Circle Leaders with business and educational contacts and skills training resources
- Help utilize the job networks of the broader Circles community
- Inform, assess, and provide support for the educational and employment goals of Circle Leaders

Big View

Eliminating obstacles that perpetuate poverty.

Circle Leaders and Circles Allies alongside Community Leaders share their lived experience in poverty with decision makers to address big issues like predatory lending and the Cliff Effects that keep folks from moving out of poverty. Big View activities include community education through storytelling, civic engagement campaigns, voter education, leadership development, and advocacy for systemic change.

Find a Location Near You

Become a Circle Leader

An individual or family who lives in a household below 200% of the federal poverty level and is willing and ready to lead their household to economic stability.

BE A LEADER

Become a Circle Ally

A volunteer who is willing and ready to cultivate an intentional friendship by supporting and learning from individuals and families with low-incomes for 18 months or more as they work toward economic stability.

BE an ally

Become a Circle Volunteer

For Circles to work well it needs volunteers to help in more ways than just becoming Circle Allies. Serve a meal, be a consultant volunteer, serve on a Resource Team.

Volunteer

The Circles® Campaign is a national, transformational approach to reduce poverty that partners volunteers and community leaders with individuals and families wanting to make the journey out of poverty.

Circles Is Transforming Lives

Building Community

Circles brings folks together from all income levels.

Circles Children and Youth Track

Breaking the cycle of generational poverty means engaging the whole family.

Circles Financial Initiatives

Education Grant Initiative

Credit Restoration Loan Initiative

Matched Savings Initiative

Circles is Transforming Communities

Jobs and Education

Creating education and career pathways to connect unemployed and underemployed to the fastest growing careers in Central Florida.

Big View

Eliminating obstacles that perpetuate poverty.

Get Involved

Find a Location Near You

Circles Central Florida serves Orange, Osceola, and Seminole Counties.

Host A Circles Location

Is your organization ready to lead the Circles Initiative in its community? Collaborate with other community groups to establish a fiscal agent, raise funds, recruit Circle Allies, Circle Leaders and other volunteers, and identify a community meeting space.

Become a Circle Leader

Become a Circle Ally

Become a Circle Volunteer

Support our life changing work today.

Join our community of givers creating sustainable results to reduce poverty in Central Florida.