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Circles of Hope connects community volunteers with individuals who are tired of just getting by financially and who are ready to move from limited resources to greater stability. Circle Leaders — who have already taken the big step of graduating from the 16-week Getting Ahead study group — chart their own path and develop their own goals.
What makes Circles of Hope unique from agencies tasked to meet needs in a specific area are the friendships, which develop between Circle Leaders and community volunteers. During weekly meetings, Getting Ahead participants, Circle leaders, allies and other interested community volunteers meet, get to know one other and grow together as friends and peers.
One of the most rewarding aspects of Circles of Hope is hearing what allies have to say about their participation. Most admit they volunteered in order to be of encouragement to someone else, but what they found was a new circle of friends who have enriched their lives.
Clarence Rempel, Circles of Hope ally to Jerica Hinshaw had this to say about becoming a Circles ally.
“For me, it’s a dream that resonates with the Old Testament prophet Micah’s dream for every person to have their own home with their own fig tree living in civil security and personal safety. As a disciple of Jesus, I was looking for a way to serve people in our community and love our neighbors. Completing my work as pastor of First Mennonite Church opened up space in my life for new opportunities of service.”
Brenda Learned, another Ally to Hinshaw said, “I would tell anyone interested in Circles or in becoming an Ally to take the free, training session. There’s no pressure to do anything beyond that, and there are many, many ways to help out other than becoming an ally. I would ask anyone who’s interested, ‘Wouldn’t you like to experience the joy of seeing one person or one family get to a better place of productivity and self-support?’”
When asked about the time requirements, Learned said, “As an Ally, I am committed to attending two meetings per month, but there are other occasional opportunities to help out in other ways. The Circles meeting is one of my highest priorities. What has impressed me most is my Circle Leader’s resiliency, tenacity and gratitude. She just keeps on, keeping on.”
Rempel said, “I have been surprised by the reciprocity of relationship. Learning and inspiration flow back and forth between the Circle Leader and Allies. I have learned more about some of the incredible difficulties persons in poverty face on a weekly basis. I have been inspired by our Circle leader's dogged persistence and against-all-odds successes; and I have been inspired by the power of future thinking and the possibilities of expanding relational networks.”
For more information about Circles of Hope or to register to attend a free ally training session, e-mail info@peaceconnections.org or call 316.284.0000.
Following the training, there is no obligation to become an ally. The next Ally training sessions will be from 8:30 to 4 p.m. on Oct. 30 and Nov. 20 at Peace Connections, 612 N. Main St. (Choose one session.) Lunch is provided.
Circles of Hope connects community volunteers with individuals who are tired of just getting by financially and who are ready to move from limited resources to greater stability. Circle Leaders — who have already taken the big step of graduating from the 16-week Getting Ahead study group — chart their own path and develop their own goals.
What makes Circles of Hope unique from agencies tasked to meet needs in a specific area are the friendships, which develop between Circle Leaders and community volunteers. During weekly meetings, Getting Ahead participants, Circle leaders, allies and other interested community volunteers meet, get to know one other and grow together as friends and peers.
One of the most rewarding aspects of Circles of Hope is hearing what allies have to say about their participation. Most admit they volunteered in order to be of encouragement to someone else, but what they found was a new circle of friends who have enriched their lives.
Clarence Rempel, Circles of Hope ally to Jerica Hinshaw had this to say about becoming a Circles ally.
“For me, it’s a dream that resonates with the Old Testament prophet Micah’s dream for every person to have their own home with their own fig tree living in civil security and personal safety. As a disciple of Jesus, I was looking for a way to serve people in our community and love our neighbors. Completing my work as pastor of First Mennonite Church opened up space in my life for new opportunities of service.”
Brenda Learned, another Ally to Hinshaw said, “I would tell anyone interested in Circles or in becoming an Ally to take the free, training session. There’s no pressure to do anything beyond that, and there are many, many ways to help out other than becoming an ally. I would ask anyone who’s interested, ‘Wouldn’t you like to experience the joy of seeing one person or one family get to a better place of productivity and self-support?’”
When asked about the time requirements, Learned said, “As an Ally, I am committed to attending two meetings per month, but there are other occasional opportunities to help out in other ways. The Circles meeting is one of my highest priorities. What has impressed me most is my Circle Leader’s resiliency, tenacity and gratitude. She just keeps on, keeping on.”
Rempel said, “I have been surprised by the reciprocity of relationship. Learning and inspiration flow back and forth between the Circle Leader and Allies. I have learned more about some of the incredible difficulties persons in poverty face on a weekly basis. I have been inspired by our Circle leader's dogged persistence and against-all-odds successes; and I have been inspired by the power of future thinking and the possibilities of expanding relational networks.”
For more information about Circles of Hope or to register to attend a free ally training session, e-mail info@peaceconnections.org or call 316.284.0000.
Following the training, there is no obligation to become an ally. The next Ally training sessions will be from 8:30 to 4 p.m. on Oct. 30 and Nov. 20 at Peace Connections, 612 N. Main St. (Choose one session.) Lunch is provided.
