Building Pathways Out of Poverty: How Circles Reno County Helps Families Achieve Long-Term Stability

Breaking the cycle of poverty takes more than a one-time intervention—it takes relationships, long-term support, and a community that believes in the potential of every person. That’s the heart of Circles Reno County, a community-driven program dedicated to helping individuals and families build financial stability and move toward long-term economic independence.

Through support from United Way of Reno County, Circles provides a structured, relationship-based model that connects people from all economic backgrounds to create a network of support. Participants, known as Circle Leaders, set goals for their future and receive consistent guidance, tools, and encouragement to achieve them.

A Community Model That Works

Circles Reno County is part of a national network—Circles USA, with more than 80 chapters across the country. The model is data-driven and outcome-based, focusing on building financial capability, strengthening social support systems, and addressing the deeper systemic barriers that keep people in poverty.

Each Circle Leader participates in:

• Weekly meetings that offer education, goal setting, accountability, and community

• Financial literacy and life-skills training, including budgeting, employment readiness, and debt management

• Mentorship from volunteer Allies, who provide encouragement and practical support

• Resource navigation, connecting participants to job opportunities, housing assistance, career training, and other local supports

This multi-layered approach ensures that Circle Leaders have both the knowledge and the relationships needed to achieve financial stability.

A Multi-Generational Approach

Poverty affects entire families—and Circles Reno County helps lift every generation. While adults participate in the Circles curriculum, their children take part in Circles USA Children’s Programming, led by trained childcare staff.

Kids learn age-appropriate lessons about money, opportunity, and resilience, helping them understand how to build a more stable future alongside their parents. This multi-generational investment strengthens family bonds and helps break cycles that have persisted for decades.

Removing Barriers to Long-Term Stability

Circles Reno County understands that financial hardship is rarely about money alone. Challenges such as limited access to education, job training, safe housing, or reliable childcare can prevent families from getting ahead.

That’s why Circles takes a holistic, trauma-informed approach:

• Helping participants enroll in education or job training

• Assisting with housing navigation and credit improvement

• Coaching participants through debt reduction and savings goals

• Addressing the emotional toll and trauma associated with poverty

• Connecting individuals to community programs and resources

• Building confidence, advocacy skills, and resilience

Every Circle Leader is paired with an Ally, a volunteer mentor who provides weekly support, encouragement, accountability, and perspective. These relationships are central to the program’s long-term success.

Big View: Tackling Systemic Barriers Together

One of the defining features of Circles Reno County is Big View Night, a monthly community gathering where Circle Leaders, Allies, residents, and local decision-makers work together to address the root causes of poverty.

Each session focuses on a specific systemic challenge—such as housing, childcare, transportation, recovery supports, or workforce development.

Recent Big View Night discussions have explored:

• Transitioning from supportive housing to independent living

• Local legislative issues that impact low-income families

• Substance misuse as both a cause and effect of poverty

• Workforce pathways and career advancement

These conversations help participants build advocacy skills and unite the community to create meaningful, long-term solutions.

What Success Looks Like

Circles Reno County measures success through both numbers and stories.

Participants experience improvements such as:

• Increased income and access to more stable employment

• Reduction in debt and improvements in credit scores

• Growth in savings and emergency funds

• Achievement of personal and educational goals

• Stronger support networks and more stable housing

Circle Leaders also share powerful personal milestones: graduating from college, paying off loans, securing better jobs, and feeling more confident and in control of their financial future.

Qualitative feedback from participants—such as feeling more hopeful, capable, and supported—is just as meaningful as the financial gains. Many describe a shift from “surviving to thriving.”

United Way at Work

As a United Way of Reno County–funded partner, Circles Reno County embodies our commitment to improving financial stability throughout the community. By supporting this program, United Way donors help create opportunities for families to build long-term financial security and generational change.

This work is possible because of the community members, volunteers, and supporters who believe in lifting one another up—and in the power of relationships to create lasting change.