Miller begins poverty initiative

Scott Miller, CEO of Move the Mountain Leadership Center and author of “Until It’s Gone,” returned to Newton on Jan. 27 and 28 to begin the Circles Initiative in Harvey County — the first in Kansas.

In March of 2008, Peace Connections invited Miller to introduce more than 600 people in Harvey County to Circles, which is an intentional way for people to build relationships across class and race lines to end poverty in their communities.

Circles is a strategy that seeks to (1) change the community’s mindset, so it wants to end poverty, (2) change the goals, policies or approaches to end poverty, and (3) empower people in poverty to help solve community problems while transitioning out of poverty themselves.

This time Peace Connections, as the lead agency for Circles, invited Miller to meet with those interested in being part of the Guiding Coalition for Circles, as well as with other targeted groups that have not previously met with him.

During breakfast, Miller met with those working in community corrections and law enforcement invited to attend by Judge Richard Walker.

At a lunch meeting, Miller met with those from the Harvey County Economic Development Council invited by Mickey Dean, along with several others.

A morning coffee and evening session with Miller were open to the community.

The next step is to form the Guiding Coalition, the leadership body for Circles, and to send four to six people to a hands-on training in late March.

Two challenges ahead will be 1) to seek funding for two staff people for Circles and for a Getting Ahead class for those from poverty and 2) to encourage low-income leaders to join the initiative.

The next community Circles/Bridges meeting will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Feb. 17 at Peace Connections, 612 N. Main St. Everyone is welcome to attend. Contact Peace Connections at 284-0000 or info@peaceconnections.org with questions or to be part of the initiative.