With a hand up, not a handout the strength of a circle

is formed.

Circle

around. Capital City Circles Initiative -

a plan to reduce poverty and prevent homelessness

in Carson City.

“Determine that the thing can and shall be done, and then we shall find the way.”

-- Abraham Lincoln

Circle of strength. On March 2, 2006 Carson City’s Board of Supervisors

passed a resolution to support the development and implementation of a ten year plan to reduce Carson City’s chronic poverty and homelessness.

“Carson City is beyond denial of the problem … and … the majority of Carson City’s poor and homeless have roots here.”

Supervisor Shelly AldeanMarch 2, 2006 Board of Supervisors meeting minutes

Circles of truth. National statistics show, on average, a chronically

homeless person can consume as much as $1million / year in social services.

Local Shelters Hospital Emergency Rooms Psychiatric Wards Detoxification Programs The Criminal Justice System

Carson City’s civic truth. In our community, a vast majority of

those who struggle with poverty and chronic homelessness were born and raised in Carson City.

A circular plan. Address the personal and economic issuesthat lead to homelessness. Personal issues = YOUR hand to another Economic issues = Building a healthy community

“Statistics show not only it is far less expensive but it is far more effective to prevent homelessness, than to deal with its aftermath.”

Lisa Keating, PhD Nevada Appeal

“Fresh Ideas” July 25, 2007

Circles of support.With community volunteers we: Partner with individuals who

are on the brink of crisis Raise awareness to build a

healthier community

“Circles is an opportunity for the faith based organizations in Carson City to unite under a single banner with the community-at-large, in an effort to help those in need.”

Father Jeff Paul St. Peter Episcopal Church Guiding Coalition Meeting

Circles of dependency?This is not a mentoring or a give-away program.

Full circle. With a human hand up to encourage people to take

leadership and decision making roles in their lives in partnership with their community “allies,” people can establish goals toward self-sufficiency.

Then, it is expected that one day these same people will reciprocate by giving back to the community similar kinds of help …. in this way the circle is complete.

“Sometimes all a person needs is a helping hand and someone who cares, then throughtheir own initiative they can begin to break

the vicious poverty cycle.”

Helaine JesseV.P. of Development & External AffairsWestern Nevada College

How a “Circle” is formed

Circle of need.Can you offer cash?Make a car donation?Make a pledge of service and become an ally?

Can you speak up for community initiatives insupport of education, libraries, public transit, livablewage jobs?

Carson City’s Center CircleCarson City Health and Human Services900 E. Long StreetCarson City, NV887-2190