Volunteer for Circles
There are countless ways to get involved with Circles Washtenaw County! We need volunteers for many areas. If you would like to be a part of our vision to empower families and can volunteer your time and talents, please take a minute to complete the form below.
Volunteer for Circles
There are countless ways to get involved with Circles Washtenaw County! We need volunteers for many areas. If you would like to be a part of our vision to empower families and can volunteer your time and talents, please take a minute to complete the form below.
Learn More
What choices would you make if you had little time and little money to spare?
Circles helps end poverty. Join us to find out how!
At our Volunteer Information Session you will:
- Learn about local poverty and how it affects our community
- Meet Allies and participants to hear how Circles has impacted them personally
- Find out how YOU can best use your time & talents in the Circles program
Circles is a relationship-based program designed to break the cycle of poverty permanently. It matches low-income people with two middle-income partners. These new friends (Allies) help broaden their social network, giving access to people and resources they might never have if they only relate to their neighbors in poverty.
Circle Allies are members of the community who want to create a supportive, befriending relationship with a low-income individual (aka Circle Leader) or family enrolled in the program. The Circle Allies support and learn from the Circle Leader as they work together toward accomplishing the Leader’s plan.
So what does a Circle Ally do?
Two-to-three Circle Allies are paired with a Circle Leader for 18 months, during which time an Ally will likely commit to 4-10 hours a month. In addition to attending a monthly goal meeting with their Circle Leader, an Ally may participate in a “Big View” meeting with other Circle Leaders and Allies and/or attend one or more of the weekly dinner meetings. As part of this relationship, a Circle Ally might critique a resume, network on behalf of the Circle Leader, provide a listening ear and/or simply provide direction and encouragement.
Interested?
- Come to an orientation! Upcoming dates can be found under the Upcoming Orientations tab above.
- Read about Pete’s journey as an Ally in his weekly Journal Entries.
- Check out the Find Out More About Becoming an Ally video below.
You can also fill out a Volunteer Application or contact the coordinator for more details: Suzanne@FriendsInDeedMI.org.
If you enjoy organizing events and coordinating volunteers, join our Community & Hospitality Team! This team makes sure our weekly meetings and meals run smoothly. Team members plan our weekly meals, schedule groups to prepare and serve food, and make sure there are volunteers to greet people at the door and make everyone feel welcome.
If this kind of work appeals to you, please be sure to check Community & Hospitality Team on your Volunteer Application or contact our Coach: Bonita@FriendsInDeedMI.org.
Signup to Volunteer at a Meeting
We need volunteers at each Circles meeting to greet participants, provide transportation and/or sign up their group to prepare and serve a meal! You can sign up for a particular meeting date on our Circles Signup Page.
For answers to your Frequently Asked Questions about volunteering your group for a Circles meal, click here FAQ.
If you like working with school-age kids, the Children’s Program may be for you. As a volunteer, you will volunteer two hours an evening on a regular basis to provide tutoring and homework help.
Interested?
Fill out a Volunteer Application or contact the Circles Coordinator for more details: Suzanne@FriendsInDeedMI.org.
We have several resource teams designed to help shape the program:
- join the Recruitment Team and recruit others to work with us
- join the Jobs and Education Team and help identify career and education resources
- help fund the program as a member of the Fundraising Team
- help bring about change in our community by joining the Advocacy & Awareness Team.
Interested?
Fill out a Volunteer Application and indicate your interest or contact the coordinator for more details: Suzanne@FriendsInDeedMI.org.
Apply
Register Your Group
You can sign up your group to help out at a particular meeting here.
Not sure, but you think your group might be interested? Just fill out the following group registration form:
