Leaders

Circles Lambton Leaders are low-income individuals and/or families receiving social assistance that are highly motivated to move out of poverty. Individuals are required to attend the "Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin'-By World" workshop; a step-by-step, life planning workbook for people experiencing poverty.

Completion of the workshop allows them to become eligible to participate in Circles Lambton.

All Circles Leaders commit to a path of change toward a “future story” through increased education and employment opportunities leading to full economic self-sufficiency.

Referral sources include:

• Social service agencies
• Faith-based community
• Low-income health clinics
• Any group serving low-income people
• Word of mouth

The primary goals of a Circles Leader are to:

• Create life changes that lead to permanent self-sufficiency.
• Develop unique gifts and leadership skills contributing to the Circles initiative and giving back to the community.
• Use experiences of poverty and advocating within the community for changes that remove systemic barriers that keep people trapped in poverty while leading their family to self-sufficiency.

The Circles model focuses on these main strategies for people experiencing poverty:

1. Crisis management
2. Life stabilization
3. Increased education, career placement and employment opportunities, creating economic stability

These strategies help lead participants to full self-sufficiency.