Media
Summer 2010
Indiana County Circles in the Indiana Gazette > News
Sister Carmen Community Center - http://www.sistercarmen.org/Sister Carmen Community Center - http://www.sistercarmen.org/
Circles gives families a path to escape generational povertyCircles gives families a path to escape generational poverty 06.26.10
Check out Central Missouri Community Action Executive Director Darin Preis talking about Circles: http://intersectkbia.weebly.com/
And this story from Sussex Co, New Jersey:
Circles program graduates second class
May 2010
13 graduate with renewed hope 05.13.10
End Poverty in America using Circles | Pepsi Refresh Everything 05.10
April 2010
Circles Campaign Introductory Site Visit in Pitcairn, PA 04.30.10
Circles Campaign goal is eliminating poverty in the community 04.29.10
Circles Campaign hopes to engage community in ending poverty 04.16.10
Listen to the radio interview with George Kilpatrick on Inspiration for The Nation.
George Kilpatrick, Inspiration for The Nation, Syracuse, NY
March 2010
UMCOR - Relief Supply Depot Newsletter Spring 2010
The Circles Campaign is a transformational approach that partners families in need with volunteers and community leaders. The United Methodist Church ...
What is it like to live on the edge? 03.19.10
The $1500 simulation is part of the $20000 Circles campaign financed with federal stimulus funds. At Faith Baptist Church Family Life Center, the potential ...
Circles program aims to help poor in Boulder County 03.18.10
The cost of the initial Circles Campaign in the county is $20000, ... The Circles Campaign is looking for volunteers to become allies who would serve as ...
My life is on track - Boulder County launches next phase of anti-poverty initiative 03.15.10
The Circles Campaign pairs low-income individuals with “allies” in the community to mentor them. “It's really about teaching people how to do things more ...
Boulder County launches new Circles program to fight poverty 03.13.10
By Laura Snider Camera Staff Writer The Circles Campaign is a nationwide program to help people climb out of poverty. In Boulder County, the campaign will ....
The Anson Record - Circles program seeks to move mountains 03.05.10
"The mission of the Circles Campaign is to transform communities by building relationships that inspire and equip people to end poverty," the Web site said. ...
Circle Campaign Offers Education Ending Poverty 03.04.10
CIRCLES Campaign Offers Education on Ending Poverty. MARCH 4, 2010 - The Longmont community is invited to attend a community meeting to learn about the ...
January 2010
Chamber representatives announced they’ve entered a five year agreement with Move the Mountain 01.29.10
Albany, NY: Today, the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce representatives announced they’ve entered a five year agreement with “Move the Mountain,” a program that tries to help lift families out of poverty.
Poverty-fighting Circles project starts to bear fruit 01.05.10
Indiana, PA- A pilot program that began about two years ago and uses unconventional methods to help fight poverty in Indiana County is enjoying success.
December 2009
Society’s view of success often only scratches the surface 12.12.09
Every Tuesday evening, I’m privileged to meet with a group of people whose lives deny the traditional definition of success. But they represent a deeper definition of success that goes well beyond appearances.
Leaders kick off anti-poverty initiative 12.11.09
ALBANY — Some of the area’s most influential residents were in the crowd of more than 200 people who jump started a countywide anti-poverty initiative Friday during a symposium hosted by the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce, officials say.
Bridges to Circles form to fight poverty 12.08.09
There’s no “quick fix” for lifting families out of poverty. But one approach is offering hope through a long-term process that addresses some of the systemic causes of poverty.
November 2009
Monroe County takes a new approach to eliminate poverty
Due to a recent agreement between Monroe County’s South Central Community Action Program and a poverty-fighting initiative known as the Circles Campaign, a solution for the county’s impoverished might not be far off.
Circles Campaign, Poverty and Churches 11.06.09
Recently Scott Miller of Move the Mountain and the Circles Campaign sent me some material he is working on which aimed at getting churches involved. Here is part of what I wrote in response which reflects how I got involved.
October 2009
Circles co-founder attends local launch 10.29.09
Editor’s note: This is the last in a five-part series about the Circles Poverty Reduction Strategy and the participants whose life it is changing. SHAWN JEFFORDS, The Observer
Circles program makes impact 10.28.09
Lambton County councillors decided more than a year ago to back a new approach to fighting poverty. Coun. Jim Foubister said the county would cease trying to help people climb mountains to get out of poverty. "We're going to move the mountain the hell out of the way," he said.
Move The Mountain and Circles Campaign? 10.27.09
“Move The Mountain” is quickly moving to the “Circles Campaign” in Bartlesville. There is some confusion as to what that means. In short, Move The Mountain is the national movement to “eliminate poverty in our lifetime” (I would be happy with 30% for starters) and the Circles Campaign is the “on the ground transformation” of lives one person/family at a time.
Circles of support 10.25.09
Program aims to stamp out poverty in the U.S. by building bonds across class lines
White Roses and Thorns 10.17.09
York Daily Record
Local community leaders tackle poverty 10.14.09
What does it take to get out of poverty? Ed Jenkins has the experience to answer that question.
Community leaders take steps to end poverty 10.02.09
Fifty percent of the children in the Bartlesville Regional United Way area under 5 years old are being raised in poverty, according to a United Way study...
September 2009
Grace Notes from St. Luke's: Move The Mountain and Personal Motives By Lee Stephens 9.06.09
Economics and Community Move The Mountain's early results in over fifty communities show that for every dollar ($1.00) spent on the program to eliminate poverty: Two dollars ($2.00) in welfare and food stamp subsidies was returned to ...
August 2009
Dayton Circles Campaign: September is here! By What is Circles? 8.30.09
Dayton Circles Campaign. Eliminating Poverty in Dayton, One Family at a Time. September is here! Wow... I can't believe that just 8 months ago the idea of Dayton Circles was just beginning to form, and now here we are ...
Grace Notes from St. Luke's: Same Kind of Different as Me -- Move ... By Lee Stephens 8.24.09
That is why Move the Mountain is coming to Bartlesville starting the last day of September. The time has come to address the issues and truly help people in poverty. I have been working with the Poverty Alleviation Coalition for several ...
July 2009
Listen to the Bloomington Morning Show 7.16.09
Listen to Don and Glass talk with Bonnie Vesely and Tracey Hodge about the Circles Initiative.
June 2009
New World Outlook July.August 2009
At age 32, Sonia Holycross has "been there, done that"—lived in a broken home, joined a gang, acquired a rap sheet. But through the Circles&t Campaign, Holycross, a single parent of five and now an Americorps volunteer, has patched her life together, becoming stronger in the broken places. "The Circles Campaign is like mending a broken foundation with fresh cement," Holycross says.
May 2009
Eliminating Poverty 5.14.2009
A Kids Count Radio Show with Scott Miller Listen to Scott's interview (mp3 format).
Circles of Hope aim to alleviate poverty 5.1.2009
Pat Smith, coordinator of adult faith formation at St. Patrick, has been active with Circles of Hope in a variety of functions over the past several years. Currently, she is part of the group’s guiding coalition, which oversees the development and implementation of program initiatives.
April 2009
Elimination of Poverty: Pilot Ministry Launches in North Carolina 4.29.2009
Three counties in North Carolina are the focal points of a new UM pilot ministry to eliminate poverty. They will become training stations for the denomination in the United States. Anson County in the south and adjoining Wilkes and Yadkin Counties in the north are sites of an initiative aimed at bringing out of poverty those whose families have been poor for at least two generations. All three counties have fairly stable populations. All three are also low-income areas and have high levels of unemployment in the best of times. Partners in the work include the Western North Carolina Annual Conference and the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM), along with church districts and congregations. A significant partner is The Circles Campaign of the Move the Mountains Leadership Center in Iowa, which is providing the poverty-elimination model and training. Local governments, school districts, and social service agencies are also involved.
Circles initiative creates allies against poverty 4.13.2009
Local participants meet with program’s founder Goodman and Haley were two of 22 low-income individuals who gathered Thursday night at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church to meet with Scott Miller, who founded the Circles model 12 years ago in Ames, Iowa; and with their middle and upper-income supporters, called "allies." Fourteen of the low-income participants, called "Circle Leaders," are just beginning a 17-week training session in which they will learn about leadership and create plans that will hopefully move themselves — and others — out of poverty.
Is it realistic to believe poverty can be eliminated? 4.13.2009
Spend an hour or so with Scott Miller and you, too, might be convinced that poverty can be eliminated. It won’t be easy. But the co-founder of the Move the Mountain Leadership Center and visionary of the Circles Campaign says just because it won’t be easy doesn’t mean it can’t be done.
Western North Carolina Counties Are Sites for Pilot Poverty Ministry 4.7.2009
Three counties in North Carolina are the focal points of a new United Methodist Church pilot ministry to eliminate poverty. They will become training stations for the denomination in the United States.
March 2009
Cost of Poverty Translates Into Health Care Costs 3.10.2009
County Council unanimously approved three years of funding for the implementation of Circles™, a hands on community action plan. Circles are a supportive, intentional, reciprocal, befriending relationship comprised of a Circle Leader, a family working to get out of poverty, and two to four community Allies, middle class people who are willing to befriend the family and support their way out of poverty.
January 2009
Adams County Circles Trip to Washington DC 1.30.2009
Circle Leaders, Allies and their families ventured down to Washington D.C. on January 31, 2009 to explore the Lincoln Memorial and the Natural History Museum as well as volunteer at the D.C. Central Kitchen.The trip was sponsored by the Campus Kitchen at Gettysburg College to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr and to kick-off an education program about nutrition, access to healthy foods and exercise.
Campaign seeks volunteers to fight poverty in Somerset County 1.25.2009
After a year of planning, a Somerset County anti-poverty campaign is set to start next month, and organizers are on a major recruiting drive to find individuals and families in need of help, and dozens of volunteers willing to help those families. The Circles Campaign is being organized by NORWESCAP, the Northwest New Jersey Community Action Program, in partnership with the United Way of Somerset County. NORWESCAP is also launching a Circles Campaign in Sussex County. "The focus with the families is to give them the skills, resources and relationships necessary to improve their economic and life condition," said Bruce Hayes, NORWESCAP's coordinator for the program. "It's done with a series of educational experiences that give them the necessary skills to learn how to improve the management of their life."
Finding Ways to Avoid Homelessness 1.25.12009
For instance, the Circles Campaign, now operating in 18 states, is designed to surround each low-income family with a team of responsible adult community volunteers who provide the informal social support many low-income families need to navigate successfully the threat of foreclosure and economic decline.
Program supports families on road to self-sufficiency 1.11.2009
Last year around this time, Stacy Brendlinger had to borrow money to pay for Christmas gifts. She was unemployed, and her husband worked long hours for little pay. They struggled to get child care and health care. Now, things are different. Better. Brendlinger and her family are one of a handful of local families working toward self-sufficiency through a nationwide initiative called the Circles Campaign, which pairs lower-income families with community allies for support.
December 2008
Angelic Assistance 12.25.2008
Enter Teamwork for Quality Living. Eliminating poverty is just one element of its larger mission -- to build a stronger and better community. And with Wood, the agency's work began with an invitation to dinner. She said she had no idea how dinner was going to solve any of her problems. She didn't go the first time she was invited, but accepted a second invitation. Dinner wasn't a pity party, but also wasn't just a soup kitchen for people in need. Wood was surrounded by people in the middle and upper classes, and she said they seemed interested in her story. They wanted to help, but more importantly, Wood quickly learned that Teamwork wanted to help her help herself.
Bridges of Hope Anti-poverty initiative to begin training meetings 12.15.2008
An anti-poverty initiative is just about ready to get rolling, with training and informational meetings planned for this winter. A coalition team has begun meeting and a public informational session is scheduled for Wednesday. Scott Miller, founder of Move the Mountain Leadership Center, will describe the details of the Bridges of Hope program and introduce program leadership.
November 2008
Outreach offers help to those who need it 11.9.2008
There’s a new initiative under way in Mercer County to help low-income families overcome their status in life, but unlike many government programs it isn’t a financial bailout. "I like to call it giving a hand up, not a handout," said Olivia Lazor, former Mercer County commissioner who serves as a local volunteer coordinator for Guiding Coalition of Mercer County for the "Circles" national campaign.
May 2008
May 9 – United action on poverty pushed in Westmoreland 5.9.2008
The common theme for Poverty Summit 2008: It is possible for people to come together to end poverty. Some 175 people took part in the summit hosted by Westmoreland Community Action Thursday at the Four Points Sheraton, east of Greensburg. The event included a number of seminars dealing with various aspects of poverty. Those in attendance included Westmoreland Community Action staff members and members of other community action agencies
April 2008
Expert says ‘war on poverty’ can be won with small skirmishes 4.29.2008
If there’s to be a real, lasting solution to chronic poverty in the United States, the key is organized individual efforts, says Scott Miller, chief executive officer of Move the Mountain Leadership Center in Ames, Iowa. "It’s time to rock the boat," says Mr. Miller. "Poverty can be dismantled, but it’s going to take a radical change in the mindset within our individual communities." Mr. Miller’s group offers a solution called the “Circles Campaign,” which creates partnerships among individual volunteers and families trying to get out of poverty.
Monroe County takes a new approach to eliminate poverty 4.18.2008
Due to a recent agreement between Monroe County’s South Central Community Action Program and a poverty-fighting initiative known as the Circles Campaign, a solution for the county’s impoverished might not be far off.
Scott Miller Interview on The Dr. Pat Show 4.17.2008
Follow this link to listen to Scott Miller's interview with Dr. Pat.
March 2008
Local families in Circles campaign make 18-month obligation to break out of poverty 3.28.2008
Eight local families have volunteered to dramatically change their lifestyle, their relationships and hopefully their future. The Circles campaign sponsored by the Central Missouri Community Action, Inc., expects an 18-month commitment from families living in poverty. In return, the program offers training, alternatives and relationships to help them develop a plan to move out of poverty.
Crossing the Bridge: Volunteers needed to encircle the poor and help them with the journey 3.24.2008
You may have heard the term "Bridges Out of Poverty." Now you are invited to become part of this radically sensible strategy to help people cross the span from dependency to self-sufficiency. The term has been buzzing around Central New York since at least November 2005. That's when Philip DeVol, who helped write the book "Bridges Out of Poverty: Strategies for Professionals and Community," mesmerized a sold-out audience at Le Moyne College in a program sponsored by Contact Community Services.
February 2008
Poverty Is Poison 2.18.2008
Opinion piece from the New York Times by Paul Krugman: "To be poor in America today, even more than in the past, is to be an outcast in your own country. And that, the neuroscientists tell us, is what poisons a child's brain... None of this is inevitable."
January 2008
Poverty often worsened by payday loans 1.25.2008
For people with bad credit or insufficient funds to maintain a bank account without piling up overdraft fees, however, these payment options don't exist. Without such options, the promise of ready money begins to have a powerful appeal.
December 2007
Moving Mountains to End Poverty 12.11.2007
A year ago, Columbus community leaders were early adopters of a program called the Circles? Campaign, a new approach to end poverty in the U.S. that will save taxpayers nearly $80 million per year. Scott Miller , CEO of Move the Mountain Leadership Center and leader of the Circles? Campaign, and Phil DeVol, author of Bridges out of Poverty, will meet with Circles members at Community Properties of Ohio Management Services (CPO) on Friday, December 14 to review the complete results of Columbus’ first year in the campaign.
Moving Mountains to End Poverty 12.7.2007
An Iowa-based non-profit organization is embarking on a new approach to end poverty in the U.S. that will save taxpayers nearly $80 million per year. Scott Miller , author and CEO of Move the Mountain Leadership Center, will be in Troy on Wednesday, December 12 and Thursday, December 13 to discuss a new approach to eliminating poverty in the U.S. called the Circles™ Campaign, saving taxpayers nearly $80 million per year.
Scott Miller, CEO of Move the Mountain Leadership Center, will describe a new approach to addressing poverty 12.5.2007
Miller will also present his new book, Until It’s Gone: Ending Poverty In Our Nation, In Our Lifetime. He’ll encourage citizens to lend a hand to fellow community members in need, and explain how they can join the Circles Campaign and begin eliminating poverty in Allen County..
November 2007
"The poverty rate in the United States is no less than it was over thirty years ago," says Miller. 11.30.2007
"Dramatic increases in the cost of housing, transportation, and health care hide the truth that many more millions and millions of families now find themselves in poverty. If we continue to expect government and social services to deal with poverty without the help of individuals, there will be little change in its status. That is why we are asking Lima citizens to get involved through our Circles Campaign, " says Scott Miller...
Moving Mountains to End Poverty 11.30.2007
An Iowa-based non-profit organization is embarking on a new approach to end poverty in the U.S. that will save taxpayers nearly $80 million per year. Scott Miller , CEO of Move the Mountain Leadership Center, will be visiting with members of the Marshall Circles? Campaign to end poverty when he speaks to community leaders on Tuesday, December 4 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the First Christian Church, 130 N. Jefferson Street.
