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ARRA Stimulus Funding
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provides funding during the current economic crisis to save and create jobs. The ARRA funding also calls for increased transparency and accountability to taxpayers. At NORWESCAP accountability and transparency has always been the cornerstone of our service delivery model, providing services to over 35,000 low income individuals a year with an administrative cost of less than five cents. NORWESCAP is pleased to report that we have received funding under the ARRA to expand services and provide new services to our community.
NORWESCAP designated part of the ARRA funding to expand one of the newer programs, the Circles ™ Initiative that is currently offered in Sussex and Somerset Counties.
Circles ™ Model
NORWESCAP launched the Circles ™ Initiative in 2008 as a new approach to ending poverty in Somerset and Sussex Counties. The Circles ™ Initiative is part of a national effort led by Move the Mountain (www.movethemountain.org) to provide transformational leadership to initiate move 1,000 families out of poverty. Learn more about this program by visiting here: http://www.norwescap.org/circles/index.asp.
Stimulus funding has provided an opportunity for the program to continue to operate in Sussex and Somerset Counties. The program has added a Circles Coach to work directly with Circle Leaders, individuals that are working on their path out of poverty.
A Circle Leader is the center of the Circles ™ Initiative and is prepared to take advantage of opportunities and become a leader as part of a larger community. Circle Leaders assume decision-making and leadership roles to receive and give support within the Circle. A Circle Leader receives support from individual volunteers called Allies. Allies help a Circle Leader obtain personal goals and increase their knowledge of poverty issues. Circle Leaders through training and experience become experts on poverty issues in the community. The program is currently recruiting Allies to assist low income individuals.
Eligibility
Income eligibility for the ARRA Circles program can be up to 200%
federal poverty guidelines:
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Family |
200% |
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Size |
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1 |
21,660 |
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2 |
29,140 |
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3 |
36,620 |
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4 |
44,100 |
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5 |
51,580 |
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6 |
58,700 |
The program is currently seeking enrollment of Circle Leaders.
Level of Service
This program will provide services to 20 Circle Leaders in Somerset and Sussex County. The program will also engage 20 Allies to share and develop resources with Circle Leaders.
Contact Information Circles Initiative
NORWESCAP Circles Initiative
Bruce Hayes, Coordinator
908-454-7000 ext. 110
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