Northwest Arkansas chapter of Circles USA celebrates successful first cohort

The Northwest Arkansas-based chapter of the national Circles USA financial stability nonprofit graduated its inaugural cohort on May 10.

Circles NWA is a mentorship program designed to help people pursue upward mobility out of poverty. Circles helps participants set goals and execute an 18-month plan to increase their income and move toward stability.

The NWA chapter started in July 2021 with a 12-week training class, during which the first cohort of six “leaders” learned basic financial literacy and created a plan to achieve their goals. Upon completion, they were matched with community volunteers referred to as “allies” in October 2021. Leaders and allies met weekly at Genesis Church in south Fayetteville for dinner and programming.

Circles NWA is organized by local nonprofit Innovative Poverty Solutions. Christina Williams is the founder and executive director. She highlighted the program’s two most important areas of success — building social capital and community leadership.

“It is amazing to me to see how people’s eyes were opened to the power of social capital when it comes to pursuing upward mobility from poverty,” she said. “The depth of supportive relationships that our Circle leaders and allies built over 18 months exceeded all expectations.”

Williams highlighted other achievements from the inaugural cohort over the past 18 months, including:

• One first-time homeowner
• One graduated with a bachelor’s degree from John Brown University
• One received a graduate certificate from the University of Arkansas
• One started a certificate program in medical billing and coding, which is fully funded through a social capital connection
• One paid off her truck (over $6,000)
• Two moved from apartment/temporary housing into rental houses

Williams said numerous community partnerships were important to the first cohort’s success, including Single Parent Scholarship Fund, Dress for Success, Partners for Better Housing, Upskill NWA, the city of Fayetteville and Hark NWA.

Circles NWA started a second 18-month cohort this past fall with nine leaders and 24 allies. Williams said a third cohort will launch this fall.