Circles RVA

Circles® is a nationally-known, proven, and innovative way of connecting people across socioeconomic lines to move people & families out of poverty. The Circles® approach empowers motivated low-income participants to permanently move out of poverty while also providing an opportunity for community members to take collective action to resolve systemic barriers that interfere with low-income individuals attaining economic stability.

Circles USA data show a clear correlation between the amount of time a participant spends actively engaged in the Circles program and increased stability over time. On average, Circle’s USA reports that participants earn 75% more after 18 months in the Circles program. In addition to improved income levels, broader indicators of sustainable stability, such as transportation, home ownership and emotional support, also show improvement.

Richmond’s adult poverty rate is above the national average (12.8%) at 19.8%. Worse, the poverty rate for Richmonders under age 18 is 33.7%, which is higher than it has been in the past few years. To give you an idea of how much (or little) that is, the official poverty line for a family of four is $30,000 per year or less. Some individual members of our community live on $13,590 per year or less!

Poverty levels are especially concentrated in specific Richmond neighborhoods. Regrettably, these percentages have not changed materially over time and generational poverty takes its toll. A comparison of average life expectancy in two Richmond neighborhoods – 63 years (low income neighborhood) vs. 83 years (high income neighborhood) – testifies to the disparity in health and quality of life.

Circles RVA is filling an unmet need in Richmond, VA by partnering with the families that these statistics represent – families on the fence between surviving and thriving economically. A consistent obstacle to navigating a path out of poverty is social isolation. When living in an area of concentrated poverty, the “circles” of people surrounding you are struggling with the same challenges that you face. Who do you go to for help if your “circles” don’t have the resources, knowledge or connections to assist you? How do you navigate the path forward if you don’t know the way?

Circles RVA effectively bridges this social gap, connecting people across socio-economic, racial and other lines that all too often divide. Through the process of intentional relationship-building, goal-setting, and support Circles RVA equips and inspires families to break the cycle of poverty and move towards economic stability.