Circles RVA creates intentional relationships that expand support communities and engage the wider community to reduce or eliminate the systemic barriers that hinder people from rising out of poverty. Circles RVA is part of Circles USA, a nationally-known, proven, and innovative way of connecting people across socioeconomic lines to move people & families out of poverty. The Circles model focuses on "Circle Leaders," individuals who are ready, willing and able to move from surviving to thriving economically. Circle Leaders participate in 12 weeks of life-skills training which span an array of topics and focus on setting SMART goals. Circle Leaders emerge with specific goals for achieving economic stability. Circle Leaders are then matched with two volunteer Allies who empower the Leader in the roles of cheerleader and accountability partner. Our society has been successful at creating programs that manage life with limited resources, but the Circles approach is about the longer term, harder work of permanently moving people out of poverty.