At Circles, our mission is to empower individuals and families to break the cycle of poverty through meaningful relationships, community support, and education. We believe in the power of collaboration and connection to uplift lives, fostering economic stability and personal growth. By working together with dedicated volunteers, community leaders, and participants, we strive to create lasting change and build a stronger, more resilient future for everyone in our community.
Closed: 6/16
Circle Leaders are low-income individuals who are trying to leave poverty and are committed to working towards financial stability. They attend weekly meetings, beginning with a 12-week course in which they learn SMART goal setting, budgeting, and life skills, then create a plan to achieve financial stability. (Dinner and children’s programming are provided weekly.) They continue coming each week for a minimum of 18 months to receive support from Coaches, Allies, and Peers to accomplish their goals. Through this accountability process, Circle Leaders are able to increase income, decrease debt, and get off public assistance. They graduate from Circles when they have reached their financial goals and are able to maintain stability.
Interested in becoming a Circle Leader?
Circle Allies are middle-class volunteers from the community who become intentional friends to struggling individuals and families by providing encouragement, acceptance, support, life experience, and social networks. Once matched, Allies and Circle Leaders meet regularly to work on goals, address problems, and celebrate accomplishments. The influence of a friend can mean a lifetime of success for individuals stuck in the cycle of poverty. These relationships provide an important sense of belonging and a foundation for success that lasts a lifetime.
What do I gain as an Ally?
Interested in becoming a Circle Ally?
Since launching in March 2024, Heber Valley Circles has been dedicated to helping individuals and families in the Heber Valley overcome barriers and achieve their dreams through community support and mentorship.
Join Us – Make a Difference!
Learn how you can support your community, hear about our successes since March, and discover the transformative impact of our program. Whether you’re interested in volunteering, donating, or simply learning about our work, your support can make a significant impact.
Circles Coordinator: Cody Martensen
Provo Coach: Kira Ward
Provo Assistant: Jasmin Lopez
Spanish Coach: Nora Neumiller
Heber Valley Coach: Jeri Davis
Heber Valley Assistant: Chloe Smith
Junior Leadership Program Coach: Aubrey Bohman
“The Department of Workforce Services offers educational and training services, for example that they would pay for you to get your CNA. I had to wait until my son was in full-time preschool, so I’d have time for school. Then I went through DWS to find one of their contracted programs. I started looking into which ones interested me and seemed doable. I also interviewed Kira (Provo Circle’s Coach) and others who worked in the fields I was interested in. I finally narrowed it down to Phlebotomy, which is offered through several schools. I found the program from the school whose class times worked with my schedule, and it was only 3 weeks long. I’m already done with my second week and the DWS paid for everything including the certification exam.”
“With the help of allies and classes I learned ow to write my resume and cover letter, and I also learned how to apply through Indeed. With this tool, I have been continuously applying to better jobs. . .Circles makes me feel a part a community that helps each other to improve in all aspects. Nora, our Spanish coach, is a great leader and based on her own experiences she works hard so that we have all the resources and knowledge necessary to have better conditions and fulfill our dreams.”