Today on Conversations, Melissa Montana is joined by Mary Ann Mings, Director of Circles of Allen County. Circles Allen County is a community-driven program that works to increase upward mobility for individuals and families in poverty in Allen County, Indiana. The Circles initiative builds intentional relationships across socioeconomic lines that help open up long-term pathways for economic mobility and self-sufficiency. Circles Allen County is an initiative of Broadway Christian Church and Inasmuch Ministry.
Communities across the nation are using Circles because the results are so encouraging. After 18 months, those in the program achieve an average 71% increase in their income, and they experience an increase in the number of people they can call on for support. Communities have also seen changes at the system level, revising unjust eviction policies, fighting predatory loan practices, and engaging in advocacy efforts to mitigate the Cliff Effect (The Cliff Effect occurs when a pay raise at work triggers a disproportionate loss of government assistance. Even a small raise can “push people off the cliff” when it comes to benefits. Suddenly ineligible for subsidized food, housing, healthcare, or childcare, the family is worse off than before receiving the raise). Circles has a real, proven impact.
For more information, visit https://www.circlesofallencounty.org/ or call (260) 264-7400
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