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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 and to create an entirely new Circles ™ model called the Circles ™ Community College Model.
Circles Community College 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. In addition to program support for the existing Circles ™ Initiative, NORWESCAP is in the process of creating a new Circles model to assist low-income individuals enrolled in community college.
Through NORWESCAP’s work with low-income families, it has become clear that adults living in poverty enrolled in secondary education have the desire to complete a college degree; however the number of barriers to success is often insurmountable. Graduation time is often two years or longer than a traditional student and for many, despite years of hard work, a degree is never obtained. Some barriers to graduate reflect the difficulty for non-traditional students to receive supportive services; others are more serious and based on different learning techniques. Several studies have highlighted these obstacles and lack of resources available to a low-income student enrolled in post secondary education.
NORWESCAP is now preparing to launch a community college model based on the Circle premise. A Circle Leader is the center of the Circles ™ Initiative and will be a student that 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.
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 |
Referrals will be provided through the community college engaged in this model. It is anticipated that the program will be available and fully operational by January, 2010.
Level of Service
This program will continue to provide services to 20 Circle Leaders in Somerset and Sussex County and will provide services to 25 new Community College student leaders. The program will also engage 30 new mentors to share and develop resources with Community College student leaders.
Contact Information Circles Community College Initiative
NORWESCAP Circles Community College Initiative
Alicia Liss, Coordinator
908-454-7000 ext. 110
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