The Southeastern Utah Association of Local Governments (SEUALG) is an organization in the Carbon County area that offers a plethora of programs to help low-income individuals and seniors. One of their most successful programs is the Circles of Carbon County Program, the Circles Coach, LuEssa Averett took time to come into Castle Country Radio to talk about all the details of this program.

“So the Circles program is community action program that we have in place. We’ve been a part of this program for a number of years and have helped multiple families within our community reach self-sufficiency. Essentially what we do is we help families within the community that are finding themselves crisis or poverty, whether that poverty is situational or intergenerational we help teach them and give them the tools that they need to become self-sufficient,” stated Averett. Some of the help that is offered range from soft skills, financial literacy, and healthy relationships, all of which help families eliminate debt and overcome any of the challenges that poverty brings.

A participant in the program is referred to as a Circles Leader.  “So a Circle Leader is someone who’s experiencing poverty with their family and they want to learn how to themselves out of that situation. They’re not looking for a hand-out, they’re looking for a hand-up. They’ll come meet with us weekly and take part in a 12-week curriculum,” explained Averett. The Circles Leaders work together with Allies or members of the community to help them along the way as they work the program.

Currently, the Circles program is looking for Allies to be a part of the program. They are looking for individuals/couples to offer a helping hand to a Leader that is going through the 12-week program. “Those are intentional friendships with members of our community who are volunteers. They come to just share life experiences, offer support, just kind of be there to learn from them, and provide what they know to their Circle Leader as well,” stated Averett. The Circles Program is currently advertising through posters at many of the local grocery stores where you can scan a QR code to sign up to assist a Leader.

Those interested in obtaining further information on the Circles of Carbon County Program can call the SEUALG office at (435) 613-0067 or visit their website at http://seualg.utah.gov/