ST. GEORGE — Switchpoint Community Resource Center is having a Volunteer Roundup barbecue Thursday, June 14, at 6 p.m., under their new pavilion at 948 N. 1300 West to share information and recruit allies for its Circles program.
Circles is a nationwide initiative designed as a long-term approach to end poverty permanently. This is accomplished by building relationships between middle class volunteers, allies and families in poverty, Circle Leaders, to help them thrive rather than survive.
“We have seen over 100 families enter our local Circles Initiative and have experienced amazing results – families who have moved out of poverty and are changing the generations to come in their families,” Switchpoint executive director Carol Hollowell said.
The Circles initiative requires an 18-month commitment to ensure trust, education, knowledge about resources and goal setting. Allies are trained to become an encouraging support system, to be an intentional friend, to stand side by side and model the way to more self-sufficiency.
“The relationships I am developing as an ally are personally beneficial and go both ways,” Ken Trent, ally of St George Circles, said. “My circle leader has enriched my life as I hope I have hers. The principles we learn are valuable no matter what your status is in life. It is rewarding to witness the growth and progress the Circle Leaders make as they incorporate those principles into their lives.”
For more information on the Circles Initiative please watch this video.
For more information about Switchpoint and to learn ways you can help, click here or call Julie Duckett at 435-628-9310 ext. 3.
Switchpoint Community Resource Center has been in existence since 2014 and provides temporary shelter and support for the homeless community in Washington County. Run largely by volunteers, additional services include job-training programs through its thrift store, food pantry and Bed ‘n’ Biscuits Dog Daycare Facility.
One of the innovative aspects of the facility is an area designated where over 20 nonprofit partners and local government agencies come to offer services to those who visit the center.
Beyond food and shelter, the Switchpoint Community Resource Center is a steppingstone to independence for homeless individuals, making poverty a temporary situation.
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