Building Community Through Circles® — Peer Support and Allyship in Empower Upper Cumberland

Empower Upper Cumberland partners with Circles USA, a nationally recognized program that combines personal goal-setting, relationship-building, and community engagement to help families achieve long-term financial stability. The program is built around the idea that poverty isn’t just about lack of money—it’s also about lack of access to supportive networks and opportunity pathways.

How Circles Works in the Upper Cumberland

Participants commit to working toward self-sufficiency. Meetings are held regularly in group settings where everyone can discuss progress, troubleshoot challenges, and celebrate achievements (empoweruppercumberland.org, circlesusa.org).

In the Upper Cumberland, Circles groups meet in multiple counties, creating a regional web of support. This consistency allows participants to build relationships that extend beyond the program, opening doors to better jobs, training opportunities, and community resources.

More Than a Mentorship Program

While the supportive relationships in the Circles model also focuses on systemic barrier identification. Groups work to pinpoint local challenges—such as transportation gaps, childcare shortages, and the benefits cliff—and coordinate advocacy efforts. This dual approach ensures both personal progress and community-level change.

Why This Matters for Workforce Development

Strong social capital—connections that can lead to jobs, references, and new skills—is a critical factor in workforce mobility. Circles builds that capital intentionally, giving participants not only the tools to succeed in the workplace but also the confidence and support system to sustain that success.

By embedding Circles within Empower UC’s broader strategy, the program strengthens the region’s workforce from the inside out, one relationship at a time.