Circles

Ashland

Call to Serve
Overview of Organization
Mission Statement:

Circles Ashland’s mission is to inspire,inform

And equip individuals,families and

community to resolve poverty and thrive.

Circles Approach

community organizing, case management,

grassroots leadership, S.M.A.R.T. goal setting,

financial literacy, mentoring, peer-to-peer counseling and learning, and child/youth development.
Progress not Perfection
A “ Leader” is a member of the vulnerable population. They commit to a two year program.

An “Ally” is a thriving member of the community who also commits to a significant period of time to act as a
sponsor and helper to the Leader.

A Leader must have a Ged and a stable place to live , be clean and sober for at least 6 mo and not be
experiencing domestic violence currently before participating in the program.

Leaders are accountable for their own success. The Ally is there to gently guide and
make resources available to the Leaders.

The goal is to get out of poverty, and thrive.

S.m.a.r.t How do we achieve goals? (Circles approach)

By setting:

Specific

Measurable

Agreed upon

Realistic

Time-Based Objectives
Servant Leadership Principles Allies & Leaders

Listening

Changing the Pyramid

Developing Your Colleagues

Coaching, not Controlling

Foresight

Self-Awareness

Unleashing the Energy and Intelligence of Others

Any Connection to Catholic Healthcare
Ministry Principles?
Circles Ashland meets at Duncan Memorial Church in the heart of Randolph-Macon
College campus.

This group has no religious affiliations; the church has volunteered to provide space
to accommodate the group which ranges from 50-80 persons on an average night.

Option for the Poor and Vulnerable Call to Family, Community and Participation

The Dignity of Work and the Right of Workers Life and Dignity of the Human Person

Solidarity Rights and Responsibilities

Spectrum of Surviving to Thriving

Survival - Living day to day, future is scary and uncertain.

Vulnerable - Traveling back and forth between stability and crisis.

Stable and Secure - Having a handle on current day to day life.

Thriving - Very stable, resources are built and growing as well as

actively seeking ways to give back to others in the community.
Cultural influences
Welcoming to all cultures and backgrounds

Tight knit community with many friends, volunteers and partners based out of
Hanover and Ashland (any given night expect about 50-80 people)

Supported my many different faith based organizations

Many different levels of socioeconomic status and education

What we did with the kids…
Gratitude

Respect

Diversity

Acceptance
What we did...
Gratitude

Respect

Diversity

Acceptance
Individual “Takeaways”
I loved how welcoming the whole
organization was, they made you
feel like family.

The most significant

part of the organization
to me is that it is a two
year program. The
organization has
I liked how they support the leaders in committed to guiding
every way during the evening, providing these folks through the
dinner, lessons, meetings, and child care spectrum.
so the leaders can really focus on progress
in the program
Questions?

Circles Ashland
References:
Circles Ashland. (2015). Retrieved September 25, 2018, from https://circlesashland-va.org/

http://circlesashland-va.org/

Keith, K. M., Dr. (2018). To serve first; The servant leadership journey. Retrieved October 25, 2018, from

http://toservefirst.com/research-highlights.html

Catholic Charities of Camden. (2018). Principles of Catholic social teaching. Retrieved October 25, 2018, from

catholiccharitiescamden.org/principles-of-catholic-social-teaching/