In 2008, the County of Lambton's Child Poverty Task Force determined that Circles® was the most appropriate model to address and reduce poverty in the County of Lambton. In 2009, Circles® Lambton was launched as the first Canadian Circles® Chapter and since inception Circles® Lambton has supported hundreds of diverse families within the County of Lambton.
The success of the Circles model is based on collaboration between middle-class volunteers known as Allies who are matched with low-income families and individuals experiencing poverty called Leaders - empowering terminology as they are leading their way out of poverty. Experienced staff called Circles Coaches work together with a multitude of community partners to support the Leaders goals and plans of change to increased education, and employment leading to full time sustainable employment.
Circles focuses on these main strategies for people experiencing poverty: crisis management,
life stabilization, increased education, job placement and job retention; advancement and economic stability leading to full self-sufficiency.
