Lambton has been designated as the recruitment and training site for the Circles Canadian Campaign. Lambton's Circles staff will train and support other communities in Canada wishing to launch a Circles initiative.

First generation post-secondary students are now part of a supportive Circle at Lambton College as they complete their studies and move forward on their plan of change. College staff and faculty are serving as mentors. "We are the first Circles community in North America to specifically support adults from generational poverty in their goal to attain post-secondary education," said Gayle Montgomery, Circles Coordinator. "This represents the fruition of a long-term vision shared by myself and Wendy Asher, Dean, Community Services and Liberal Studies at Lambton College."

Also, three Circle Leaders were recognized for reaching their goal to transition out of poverty and choosing to stay on with the initiative and become Allies for others. This accomplishment represents the ultimate objective of Circles.

It is hard to believe we are nearing the end of 2011.

January 2012 will mark the third anniversary of the Lambton Circles Initiative.

So much has been accomplished this last year at both the individual and systemic level.

We have had 33 Leaders participate in Circles in 2012.

Another 10 will graduate their Getting Ahead classes and launch into the Lambton College Circle this January.

I believe we will be the first site to have a Circle to support College Student Leaders delivered on site at the College with wrap around support from the College Administration and Faculty.

Of the 33 active Leaders in 2012:

Ø  36% have exited Social Assistance

Ø  18% currently have increased employment earnings

Ø  21% have increased their education

*Leaders are only tracked in one category so some have done all three!

Our wonderful Allies continue to support and celebrate their Leaders accomplishments!

We continue to receive amazing supports from all sectors of Sarnia- Lambton.

Some of our older Circles' kids were delighted to take a bus trip to tour Toronto's Royal Ontario Museum last July.

In August, the Lambton Centre was the site of an overnight camping trip for 75 of us, complete with activities ( archery, crafts, mountain biking, swimming, bonfire & s'mores). Both children's activities were funded in part by donations.

Circles has provided  seven interest free micro-credit loans to date and all remain in good standing, three have been paid back in full.

Circles Leaders have become very efficient and effective at delivering the Community Action Poverty Simulation (CAPS) in the past year and plan to continue to provide this valuable public education experience in our community.

We have recently become the National Training Site for Circles in Canada.

This means that our local team will provide training and supports to other Canadian communities wishing to launch a Circles Initiative of their own.

I continue to present Bridges Out of Poverty training throughout our community and across the Province. Following a full-day presentation, I am often invited back to communities to meet with multi-agency alliances and share Lambton's Journey to Circles. Some of these communities have expressed interest in launching a Circles Initiative in 2012.

On behalf of myself, Mary Lou, Kelly and Martine ……..Happy Holiday's to you and yours!

Gayle Montgomery

Coordinator

Lambton Circles

Season's Greetings,

It is hard to believe we are nearing the end of 2011.

January 2012 will mark the third anniversary of the Lambton Circles Initiative.

So much has been accomplished this last year at both the individual and systemic level.

We have had 33 Leaders participate in Circles in 2012.

Another 10 will graduate their Getting Ahead classes and launch into the Lambton College Circle this January.

I believe we will be the first site to have a Circle to support College Student Leaders delivered on site at the College with wrap around support from the College Administration and Faculty.

Of the 33 active Leaders in 2012:

Ø  36% have exited Social Assistance

Ø  18% currently have increased employment earnings

Ø  21% have increased their education

*Leaders are only tracked in one category so some have done all three!

Our wonderful Allies continue to support and celebrate their Leaders accomplishments!

We continue to receive amazing supports from all sectors of Sarnia- Lambton.

Some of our older Circles' kids were delighted to take a bus trip to tour Toronto's Royal Ontario Museum last July.

In August, the Lambton Centre was the site of an overnight camping trip for 75 of us, complete with activities ( archery, crafts, mountain biking, swimming, bonfire & s'mores). Both children's activities were funded in part by donations.

Circles has provided  seven interest free micro-credit loans to date and all remain in good standing, three have been paid back in full.

Circles Leaders have become very efficient and effective at delivering the Community Action Poverty Simulation (CAPS) in the past year and plan to continue to provide this valuable public education experience in our community.

We have recently become the National Training Site for Circles in Canada.

This means that our local team will provide training and supports to other Canadian communities wishing to launch a Circles Initiative of their own.

I continue to present Bridges Out of Poverty training throughout our community and across the Province. Following a full-day presentation, I am often invited back to communities to meet with multi-agency alliances and share Lambton's Journey to Circles. Some of these communities have expressed interest in launching a Circles Initiative in 2012.

On behalf of myself, Mary Lou, Kelly and Martine ……..Happy Holiday's to you and yours!

Gayle Montgomery

Coordinator

Lambton Circles

You don't want to miss this chance to see Circles in action as a CBS crew follows the story of an Ohio Circle Leader as she gets a new job, connects with a Circle Ally and attends a weekly Circles meeting. This story is launching the Circles Campaign onto the national media spotlight, just on the heels of great coverage of Circles and Move the Mountain's CEO Scott Miller in the Huffington Post. Many Circle Communities are using this exciting opportunity to reach out to their local media to keep spreading the good news about Circles and our movement to resolve poverty.  After the CBS Evening News, please visit our facebook pages to post your comments and local stories and coverage for all of us to see that we are part of a national movement that is gaining momentum.

Where

CBS Evening News

When

Thursday, Sept 1 6:30 pm EST (check local listings as air times vary. We'll keep you posted if the air date is postponed)

Then

Please visit the facebook National Circles Campaign and facebook Move the Mountain Leadership Center and post your comments, local stories and local coverage.

follow on Twitter | like on Facebook | forward to a friend

By CATHY DOBSON, The Observer

Leaders of a unique anti-poverty initiative in Sarnia-Lambton say the Circles program has helped six people beat poverty and become self-sufficient.

Five graduated from Lambton College this spring and one is a labourer's apprentice.

Thirty-eight families, including 75 children, have participated in Circles since it began two years ago, said co-ordinator Gayle Montgomery.

The program is the first in Canada and uses a community approach to support and befriend those who want to leave poverty behind.

"This is a two-year milestone," said Montgomery. "I'm excited with the six because many of these families come from systemic poverty."

Education is key to self-sufficiency, as is a network of community members ready to advise and donate their time, she said.

Circles works with three full-time staff, as well as 54 mentors known as allies, and 46 volunteers who assist with childcare and meals.

It's an approach that has seen widespread success in the United States and is garnering a lot of interest in Canada.

"We've been asked to be the national training site for educating other communities about Circles," said Montgomery.

Charlene Gordon, a 30-year-old single mom, spoke to county council and said Circles has changed her life.

Gordon said she left an abusive relationship and found herself on social assistance for the first time in her life.

In the past year, Circles has opened up opportunities and provided resources that have allowed her to return to school, Gordon said, brushing a tear away.

"It's great to have people rooting for me. This cycle of living below the poverty line will stop if I make the changes."

Coun. Bev MacDougall asked if any local banks are part of the Circles movement.

At least one credit union offers bank accounts without fees, Montgomery said.

But loans are difficult to get if you are impoverished, she said.

Circles is trying to raise money to assist with the purchase of cars and other amenities that will get people back to work.

Of the Circles participants, or leaders as they're called, 63% have increased earnings. Another 56% have increased education and 38% no longer collect social assistance.

Circles Coordinator – Gayle Montgomery 
Lambton Warden – Steve Arnold
North Lambton Community
Health Centre Executive
Director – Kathy Bresett 

Quiet little Crescent Park, at the corner of Oak and Sycamore Streets in Sarnia was brought to life on June 27, 2011 when more than 100 people gathered at a community barbecue to celebrate the launch of Lambton Circles Community Garden — finally!  The rainy days of May and June, had us wondering if the garden would ever get planted so the sight of green plants peeking out of the dirt was a relief to all. 

While everyone enjoyed eating hot dogs, playing in the park and visiting with each other, the most poignant moment of the evening came when Leaders, Allies, Guiding Coalition members and other invited guests gathered in a Circle around the garden to share "New & Goods" (something new and positive in your life.) As the evening wrapped up, with words of encouragement and support from Warden Steve Arnold, the Snowbirds, in perfect formation, streaked across the clear blue skies to the delight of all present!

The garden is the result of a partnership between the City of Sarnia, West Lambton Community Health Centre and Lambton Circles and is the first of its type in the County. It was planted and will be maintained by four Circle Families and Allies with support from the rest of the group for daily upkeep. All produce grown will be used by Circle members and others in the community.

Circle Ally – Maggie Hatfield gets a helping hand

Warden's Award of Excellence:  Gayle Montgomery (Circles Coordinator) & Mary Lou Robb (Circles Caseworker) – Implementation of the Circles Model of Poverty Reduction

Warden's Award of Excellence:  Gayle Montgomery and Mary Lou Robb have worked tirelessly to bring the Circles™ model of poverty reduction to Canada.   They have recruited and inspired people within the Sarnia-Lambton community to volunteer their time, energy, and resources to Circles™, in addition to building relationships beyond staff / client with the Circle leaders, the people they are helping to exit poverty.    When delivering the Bridges out of Poverty sessions, Gayle and Mary Lou reach every attendee, making them reflect about how they deliver services and how they can implement change to remove barriers for those living in poverty.    Word about their efforts is spreading, and a movement is taking place across the province.   This past June, the Circles™ model was acknowledged as a Municipal Champion at the Ontario Municipal Social Services Association (OMSSA) Learning Symposium.   Enthusiasm is growing daily for this initiative, made a success by Gayle and Mary Lou's commitment and dedication.  

2010 has been a very productive year for Sarnia-Lambton's Circles® initiative.

We launched our web site, hosted a visit from Scott Miller and focused on significant systemic barriers. 

We are proceeding with meetings with elected officials to discuss the OSAP default issue. Our micro-credit program has received significant donations to date and I plan to make arrangements with Southwest Regional Credit Union to invest a significant lump sum early in 2011.

I have recently issued our third Circles® Interest Free Loan to assist a Leader to maintain her full-time employment.

The original Tuesday night Circle® (Mary Lou Robb – Coach) continues to thrive as our Leaders move forward towards self-sufficiency. 

Our second Wednesday night Circle® (Kelly Chappell – Coach) currently has 9 Leaders and their families and about 15 supporting Allies. It's early days for this group but they are coming together nicely.

The main focus in the early new year will be on structuring our children's programming which will involve the Guiding Coalition Education sub-committee as well as our childcare staff and volunteers.

We have received further generous support from the Seaway Kiwanis for 2011 which will allow us to provide our Circles kids with a bus trip to the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto next summer.

I'm thrilled to advise that the number of accomplishments within our initiative is just too long to list!

Happy Holiday's from the entire Circles ® Family