Cobb Community Foundation is continuing our efforts to identify and bring robust, workable strategies to the table to meet needs identified through our comprehensive Human Services Needs Assessment. One of our objectives has been to help build the capacity of nonprofits providing services in Cobb’s “Red Zones,” i.e. those areas of the county with the highest levels of need. Last month we awarded $25,000 in Jumpstart Grants to help 5 such organizations to expand their fundraising capacity. A second program we are excited to help launch is the Circles USA program.
Circles USA gathers middle-income and high-income volunteers to support families in poverty. Surrounded by people who have landed jobs, negotiated a lease, or managed credit card debt, for example, people experiencing poverty are more equipped to achieve long-term financial stability. This program is not a band aid approach, but a proven model with measurable data. On average, participants achieve a 39% increase in income after 6 months in the program and a 78% increase after 18 months.
A core group of faith-based organizations and business leaders have come together to begin the work of building the program here in Cobb County. With Jeff Jernigan of Pinkerton & Laws and Roger Vest of Powder Springs United Methodist Church helping to steer the work of the committee, a foundation is being built and the necessary funding is being raised. Our first leadership planning meeting took place in January, and the goal is for Circles Cobb to launch its first group 4th quarter 2022.
If you or someone you know is interested in helping push this initiative forward, please contact us at CCFTeam@cobbfoundation.org. You can also financially support this initiative by contributing to the Circles Cobb Fund here at Cobb Community Foundation.
L to R, Ken Hall – Moore, Ingram, Johnson & Steele; Angie Smith – Mission 1:27, Adam Ogburn – Regions Bank; Roger Vest – Powder Springs UMC; Shari Martin – CCF; Jeff Jernigan – Pinkerton & Laws; Daryl Price – Noonday Association; Andy Starnes – Moore Colson
