Circles Opelika is a Poverty Reduction Program. Your gift will support the Helping Hands Loan Fund.
Over the course of 12 weeks, Circles Opelika provides resources, speakers, and training classes that help participants (known as Circle Leaders) understand credit and debt, budgeting, self-care, parenting skills, tutoring for kids, career options, and more. Weekly meetings are held at the Southside Center for the Arts and provide dinner and childcare to build strong relationships and promote whole family involvement.
We are seeking $3000 to supplement our Helping Hands Loan Fund. This fund was established two years ago to assist Circle Leaders with monetary assistance as a last resort. As our families begin to experience the Cliff Effect (when the household incomes increase and the government subsidies decrease) the household deficit is typically larger than the income causing a strain on families. This loan is interest-free and repaid at a rate comfortable for the Circle Leaders making it less of a burden to repay.
Being able to offer an interest-free loan with flexible terms is a benefit to those we serve. It benefits the community because we prevent these individuals from seeking funds from pay-day loan entities or title pawn loan shops which further exacerbates their situations. The interest rate and terms of repayment cause even more problems and lead to a further decline in their financial standing. Studies show that communities that invest in poverty reduction programs experience lower health and economic disparities and better-educated children, due to increased resources available. Graduates of poverty reduction programs are better able to provide for themselves and their families and have more disposable income available, which leads to economic benefits.
To learn more about Circles of Opelika, visit their webpage: circlesopelika.org