NASHUA – With the goal of helping impoverished members of the community empower themselves, Circles Greater Nashua – a Circles USA initiative of Harbor Homes – is conducting weekly events to motivate low-income working individuals.

Relatively new to Greater Nashua, Circles is described by organizers of the nonprofit as one of Harbor Homes’ best kept secrets.

Circles USA is a national organization that works by pairing higher income individuals, called Allies or Intentional Friends, with members of the community who are low income – below the 200 percent poverty line, the Circle Leaders. The goal is to help low-income individuals grow to the point of not depending on entitlement programs.

“The circles initiative assists those individuals with raising their income so that entitlement programs are no longer needed and savings accounts can be built,” volunteer June St. Lawrence, who serves as a chapter coach, said. “This is achieved by pairing community volunteers from middle to upper income levels with low-income individuals.”

The Nashua Chapter – the first and only in New England – saw its first Circle Leaders and Allies graduate from the class portion of the program last month. During the course, which lasts 12 to 15 weeks, participants and volunteers can enjoy a full meal provided by organization, after which they will break into small groups to engage in hands-on activities.

One of those graduates was Nashua resident Cynthia Magarrell, who along with her 8-year-old daughter, Gracie Belanger, completed the class course aspect of the program. Magarrell said the program and its model to empower individuals really hit home.

“Circles really knocked it out of the park for me, what I experienced was empowerment. I’ve been given hope and I’ve been treated with unconditional positive regard,” Magarrell said.

With the program presenting a family atmosphere, one in which children of the Circle Leaders can participate by learning things that mirror what the adults are working on, Magarrell said her daughter was able to come to the courses, be involved, learn and make friends.

“As a parent, you really want your children to enjoy the experience,” Magarrell said. “Family here was an important thing.”

The model the organization works under is one that encourages the individuals to set their own goals regarding employment, education and personal life. These individuals participate in the 12-week course to become Circle Leaders.

“What happens is, in that first 12 to 15 weeks, we work on building people’s confidence, and rebuilding their dreams and goals they’ve had in the past,” Laurie Goodman, the chapter coach who works with the Circle Leaders during the length of the course sessions, said.

During the course, the Circle Leaders will get help working on building a budget based on their actual income and bills, while also helping them save money in case of emergencies. Part of that process involves setting S.M.A.R.T. Goals. These are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound.

These goals can include becoming financially independent, decreasing debt, building savings and expanding one’s social networking with the intent of achieving professional advancement.

Mary Putney-Duby, another Circle Leader who graduated in March, said the program helped her establish goals of being more careful with money, in addition to helping her work toward getting a college certification at Nashua Community College.

Chapter Coordinator Laurie Skibba works with the middle and upper class members of the community who serve as the support group and partners. They do this by learning not only what money means to the lower class individuals, but how it affects the mindset of everyone.

The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Harbor Homes’ 45 High St. location. Anyone interested in learning more about the program can visit the Circles Greater Nashua website: http://www.circlesgn.org/.

Mathew Plamondon may be reached at 594-1244, or at mplamondon@nashuatelegraph.com.

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