AMES, IOWA (ANS) -- There are times in our lives when we face situations that are overwhelming. Whether it is everyday difficulties or other challenges that are financial, emotional, or physical, these challenges can isolate us and keep us from realizing our potential and our goals. That is why a program called Beyond Welfare, originating in Ames, Iowa, and its sister program, Circles4Success, in several cities and towns throughout Iowa, believes that shared values can support a common vision.

Jenny and John Schinker waving goodbye to the church crowd as they get ready to ride in the Flag Day Parade in Atlantic

This article would like to highlight the work Circles4Success does throughout the state of Iowa, while focusing on one group in particular in Atlantic. For the past year the Atlantic group has been coordinated by Melissa Stark who has a background in Social Services and “backyard missions.” The group will have been in existence going on three years this July. During this time they will have completed four community projects.

You may be asking why a group known for coming “beyond welfare” is doing community projects. Let me explain, and in doing so give insight into our vision, mission and purpose.

The vision of Circles4Success is to create a community where everyone has enough money, friends, and meaning to fulfill their dreams and potential in life, by contributing their talents, time, experience, strengths, and hopes. This creates the mission of building circles of support that will eliminate poverty by bringing together a constituency to address systemic barriers that hold poverty in place.

In order to accomplish the vision and mission, Circles4Success is therefore dedicated to recognizing and supporting the voices of those who have been marginalized by poverty. In doing so, it has been necessary for us to support the development of learning relationships across all lines: class, race, and gender, as well as divisions which develop between the “helped” and “helpers,” (the human services delivery system). We also work at relating to one another first as human and do away with the labels that divide and separate us. Therefore we “make friends on purpose.”

Those involved in the program believe that the problems of poverty and other social problems are held in place by our separation and isolation from one another. So, in order to effectively build a constituency for social change we must “cross the lines” and relate to one another as equals with mutual respect, reciprocity, and the spirit and practice of interdependence.

In relating to one another, we are also motivated to support one another in ways which will secure the family unit and create a thriving community where the safety of our children is a high priority shared by all. In doing so, Circles4Success believes it is helping to build a community and statewide network led by the consumer, in partnership with other citizens, which will improve the quality of life for Iowans regardless of income and status.

In helping to build a better community in Atlantic, the Circles4Success group has completed four projects and is currently working on its fourth. Briefly, the four projects included:

* The “Book Basket.” The group purchased and accepted donations for sets of 15 different children’s books and distributed them to 10 locations around town where children were known to be.
* The “Coat and Tote Drive.” The members of the group collected and donated money in order to buy gift cards for five area schools so they could purchase needed winter coats and school supplies for children in the community.
* The “Cedar Park Renovation.” There was a need to renovate a park in one of the town’s older communities. The group took the old park and turned it into a beautiful park where families could take their children. The park now includes picnic tables, benches, a large sand play area with toys, a gym play-set for the children, and a picnic shelter with benches and barbecue.
* The “No-Budget Wedding.” In planning the wedding for John and Jenny, Circles4Success was joined by another community organization, JEL (Just Eliminate Lies), a youth Tobacco Awareness Group, which the couple’s daughter, Jessica, is a part of. John and Jenny and their two daughters had become a part of Circles by first attending its Community Christmas Supper.

At a meal in February, Jenny mentioned that she and John had wanted to get married for many years, but didn’t have the resources to put a wedding together. At the next Circles meeting, Melissa mentioned this desire to the group. It was a unanimous decision to give them a wedding.

Jenny, John Kelsey and Jessica after the wedding

It turned out to be a community event with people donating their time, treasure, and talent. Various individuals enjoyed the opportunity to provide the photography, videotaping, music, wedding cake, punch, food, decorating and serving at the reception. Another person and her daughter had great fun going to the after Easter sales to get a fancy dress for the younger daughter, Kelsey. The wedding weekend was provided by a bed and breakfast near Atlantic.

The motto of Circles4Success is, “What we can’t do alone, we can do together.” The group says that if a need is made known to them, they look for a way to help and get the community involved.

The Circles4Success program includes a larger Community Leadership Team Meeting (CLTM), which meets on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month where a meal is served and childcare is provided. The group invites the community to work together, share ideas and develop stronger relationships within the community.

If you wish further information about the Circles4Success and Beyond Welfare programs, contact: Melissa Stark at712-243-7550 ext. 3308. For information about the JEL Tobacco Awareness Program, please call Karla Akers at Karla Akers at 712-243-8006 ext. 3380. Both programs are part of Cass County Memorial Hospital, Home Care/Hospice.

Allen Stark is a retired high school and middle school English and performing arts teacher. He now runs a writing business called The Paper Bridge. Allen makes his writing and editing skills available via his website www.thepaperbridge.net. He has also written for three newspapers, was the weekly writer of the Digging Deeper Devotions for Southwest Community Church in Indian Wells, California, and editor for the Birth Choice newsletter. He is currently the senior staff reporter for the Audubon County Advocate Journal in Audubon, Iowa. In addition, Allen writes a weekly column called, Echoes, and contributes to the Southwest Iowa Writers Guild column called The Write Stuff. When Allen is not writing, he is busy with "backyard missions" work in his community. He lives with his wife, Melissa, and daughter, Sierra, in Atlantic, Iowa (USA). His e-mail address is: amsstark@msn.com.