Dignified labor starts with community. It continues with policy. And it requires all of us to speak up for an economy that serves people—not the other way around. #LaborDay
Circles USA
@circlesusa.org
Building community to end poverty through intentional friendships, personal transformation, and systemic change led by the people closest to the challenge. circlesusa.org
Meet Shevrin Jones, a Florida-based Development Strategist and CUSA's newest all-star contractor! "I truly believe in this work and in the importance of addressing poverty through relationships, shared learning, and long-term support," he says. Learn more about Shev at circlesusa.org/blog
We are thrilled to welcome Circles USA’s new board member, Matthew Hastreiter! 💙 Our extraordinary board is the governance team that oversees CUSA operations, advises on strategic directions, and contributes to specific projects that enhance what CUSA has to offer to our community of practice.
Systems are created and run by people. To change our systems, we have to slow down, listen, and build trusting relationships with one another. This is the key to creating truly meaningful and lasting transformation—on individual and systemic levels. Systems change is people change. 🌱
Many of our participants and volunteers name “finding lifelong friendships” as one of the best parts of being in Circles: a secret recipe for belonging and community, mixed with a bit of intentionality and the art of connection. 💙
"Budgeting is a tool that can support personal discernment while decreasing shame, but only if it is used with compassion and openness rather than being wielded as evidence of failure." — CLO Kris Alexander
Last week, our Circles USA Board gathered together in North Charleston! Executive Director Kamatara shared that the retreat was “a great success, forming a cohesive working team with these powerhouse folks who bring such expertise, experience, head, and heart to the table."
For International Youth Day 2026, we gave young artists in CUSA chapters nationwide a simple prompt: Draw yourself at Circles, or how Circles makes you feel. The photos and artworks sent back made us laugh, think, and remember why we work alongside families striving to escape poverty. 💙
This leadership of the people closest to the challenge—the individuals we call Circle Leaders—is what makes the Circles model truly work. We are so grateful for the courage, determination, and resilience that they embody as they lead themselves, their families, and our communities out of poverty!
Meet Brianna Horseman, a graduated Circle Leader from Circles Scott County who is now serving as a Resource Team Member! Read Brianna's story at circlesusa.org/blog
We are so excited to celebrate #InternationalDayofFriendship today! At Circles, we know that intentional friendships are a cornerstone of poverty alleviation. These relationships bring support, connection, and meaning—transforming us, our communities, and our world for the better. 🫂💗
This month, our Big View features two upcoming webinars and a podcast from partner organizations that offer helpful resources and food for thought related to the Cliff, free and fair elections, and reimagining the social safety net.
This #DisabilityPrideMonth and every month, we know that the key to creating a more equitable, accessible, and thriving world for ALL is following the leadership of those most impacted by broken systems. Read more: https://www.circlesusa.org/post/circles-honors-disability-pride-month-pt-1
At Circles, our commitment to cross lines of difference and create transformational relationships is the best part of Circles, the part that keeps folks coming back, and what will truly be the end of poverty for all. Read more: https://www.circlesusa.org/post/belonging-without-knowing
Meet Oscar Martinez, superstar volunteer facilitator, Ally, and Resource Team member at Circles of the Coastal Bend! 🌟 Read our Q&A with Oscar at circlesusa.org/blog
In a new Q&A on our blog, meet four contractors who supercharge Circles USA's communications behind-the-scenes! https://www.circlesusa.org/post/meet-circles-usa-s-communications-contractors
Welcome our newest chapter to the Circles family, Circles in Gregory! 💙 We are so excited to watch lives transform across Gregory, TX, and so grateful to be in community with you all at the national level. ➡️ Get involved: https://catholiccharities-cc.org/circles-of-the-coastal-bend
This #PrideMonth, we are looking at issues that affect LGBTQIA2S+ youth across the U.S. and offering resources for communities to best support them. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️💙 🔗 Read the piece here: https://www.circlesusa.org/post/pride-month-2026-resources-for-supporting-lgbtqia2s-unhoused-youth
In honor of Pride Month, CLO Kris Alexander celebrates her journey with authenticity and belonging as a member of the queer community & a treasured member of our Circles family. Wishing all of our LGBTQIA2S+ community members a safe and joyful #Pride2026! 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️☀️🫂 🔗 circlesusa.org/post/proud-to-belong
We accompany people who are doing the work of leaving poverty behind permanently. The Circle Leader is the soloist, the main event, the star of their own life." — Kamatara, CUSA Executive Director 🔗 Keep reading: https://www.circlesusa.org/post/serving-as-the-accompanist
A very happy Father’s Day to all the fathers and father figures who pour so much into our families and communities! Sending a big Circles appreciation your way, today and everyday. 💙 Featuring families from Circles Scott County, Circles Indianapolis, and Circles Jackson County!
As we approach our nation's anniversary, we challenge all of our community members to ask: How do I engage with democracy? How does my organization? How does my community? We hope these resources will inspire action. As the saying goes, Democracy is not a spectator sport. ⭐️
May marked 28 years since Circles USA’s founding! 🎂💙 Since 1998, we've grown together from a seedling org in Iowa to a flourishing national network serving 60 communities. Here's to another 28 years of building community to end poverty! 💌 Support us to continue our work at circlesusa.org/donate
Especially for those who have faced traumatic life events—including the inherently traumatic experience of poverty—cultivating safe spaces for dreaming and imagination is a powerful practice of hope. 🎙️ Listen to the latest episode of #TheBigViewPod, on The Science of Hope, at circlesusa.org/spe3
What if hope isn't just an emotion we feel, but a skill grounded in science that we can understand and cultivate? New on #TheBigViewPod, we sit down with quantitative psychologist & hope expert Dr. Evie Trevino to explore the fascinating intersection of hope, resilience, trauma, and neurobiology.
We can’t support others without also tending to ourselves. In honor of #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth, CUSA National Coach Addie Hartnett has written a powerful and personal reflection on the importance of mental health as something we build, protect, and sustain collectively. 🧠💙
“There is no such thing as self-made people. There are only community-made people who kept going.” —Jomaris DeJesús, The Prosperity Agenda Watch Jomaris's powerful keynote on Moving Beyond Self-Sufficiency to Self-Fulfillment: https://youtu.be/gCpQJS-siz4?si=fAYBVo9VlOwwwkZP
“When we try to categorize individuals by economic status or income level, we are reducing them to the stereotypes we have been taught and continue to carry about poverty and wealth. This is exactly what Circles seeks to erase. We bring people together across lines of difference to end poverty.”
At Circles, we support mothers because we know that when women rise, families stabilize; and when families stabilize, communities grow stronger for generations! As we enter Mother’s Day weekend, let's all consider how we can uplift & follow the leadership of mothers in our communities and world. ❤️
