Cafca Conference 2009
Transcript of Cafca Conference 2009
Circles ™
Campaign
Community Action Agency since 1964
Began as grass roots initiative in Waterbury
Has expanded in the Northwest corner of CT
Maintains mission of ending poverty.
Learned about Circles from Move the Mountain
Saw clear link between MTM and NOI’s mission
Realized potential for Circles
Began planning process in 2006
1000 communities learning together to reduce poverty by 2017
Research on what works and barrier analysis
Media campaign on the 5000 Stories to change public opinion about poverty
Training Centers to teach others how Advocacy to change public policies
Circles Campaign in Waterbury, Meriden and Torrington
500 people out of poverty by 2017 Change the mind set of the community in
Waterbury, Meriden and Torrington regarding poverty
Become a Training Center Participate in Advocacy at the State Level
for Change
Intentionally building relationships across class and race lines and creating a community to
end poverty
Social Capital—building a community of relationships across class and race lines
aha! Process—teaches the hidden rules of class so we can build social capital
A Framework for Understanding Poverty Bridges Out of Poverty Getting Ahead
From: Some poverty is normal and tolerable.
To: No poverty is tolerable or necessary.
From: The full responsibility lies with the
individual.
To: The responsibility is shared with individual,
community and government.
From: Providing piecemeal assistance.
To: Helping people completely out of poverty.
From: We will deliver services to you on behalf of
the community.
To: We will help you build community around
your family and neighborhood so you reach your dreams.
Mental models for understanding poverty, middle class and wealth.
Hidden rules of class to improve relationships, resolve conflicts, and design effective approaches.
Common language for building relationships across class and race lines.
Mental Model for Poverty
Mental Model for Middle Class
Mental Model for Wealth
Survival, relationships, entertainment
Work, achievement
Financial, political, social connections
POVERTY
MIDDLE CLASS
WEALTH
DRIVING FORCES
Present most important
Decisions made for the moment based on feelings or survival
Traditions and history most important
Decisions made partially on basis of tradition/decorum
Future most important
Decisions made against future ramifications
POVERTY
MIDDLE CLASS
WEALTH
TIME
Believes in fate Cannot do much to mitigate chance
Noblesse oblige
Believes in choiceCan change future with good choices now
POVERTY
MIDDLE CLASS
WEALTH
DESTINY
Casual register
Language is about survival
Formal register Language is about networking
Formal register
Language is about negotiation
POVERTY
MIDDLE CLASS
WEALTH
LANGUAGE
1. Guiding Coalition—community-based group of diverse leaders
2. Getting Ahead3. Bridges Out of Poverty4. Circle with 2-5 allies for each family5. Weekly meetings6. Monthly Big View meeting7. Other self-sufficiency supports
20-week self-sufficiency planning process
Preparation for Circles
Community Assessment on Poverty
Problem solving at the community level
Car Donations Revolving Loans Matched Savings Programs (IDAs) Housing Job Coaching Brokering other community and basic
needs resources
Earned income Education Support system (Social Capital) Safe Housing Health insurance Stable environment Higher resources
Financial Emotional Mental Spiritual Social Capital Formal Language Register
Relationships Physical Integrity Motivation Knowledge of
Hidden Rules
5
4
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2
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Finan
cial
Emot
ional
Menta
l
Spiritual
Phys
ical
Support S
yste
m
Relat
ions
hips
Hidde
n Rul
es
Inte
grity
Mot
ivat
ion
Increased earned income More education Reduced welfare benefits Better transportation, housing, and
healthcare Stronger support system Better emotional health
Circles is community driven Guiding Coalition leads the initiative Volunteers needed to make meals,
donate space, provide presentations, programs for the children
Allies come from the community Financial resources needed Leaders are referred by social service
agencies
Finding people who are 9s and 10s
Explaining Circles Unknown program Follow-through Keeping people
engaged
Keep up the momentum of volunteers
Allies and Guiding Coalition members get busy
Bringing people together from differing backgrounds
ITS ALL ABOUT
RELATIONSHIPS!
Take what we have learned from Bridges and apply it to our initiative:
IT’S ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS Use what people in poverty know, the
relationship matters over achievement Following this model will lead us to
achieving