Turning the Tide on Poverty
Is a process designed to engage community members in meaningful discussion, thoughtful
planning, and place-based action to loosen the grip of poverty in their community. The project is
sponsored by the Southern Rural Development Center in conjunction with Everyday-Democracy,
The Farm Foundation, and The Kettering Foundation.
What is Turning the Tide on Poverty?
It is an effort to help communities take action to fight poverty in their communities. By working
together, people from all over the community can jointly explore the causes of poverty and find ways
to help families and individuals move from poverty to prosperity.
What Will We Do?
The project begins by organizing community members into Community Circle groups to learn about
poverty and to start talking about possible solutions. Once the Community Circles are complete, all
Circle participants will come together for a Community Action Forum. Then, those that want to stay
involved will form Action Teams working together to carry out the ideas from the Action Forum.
What is a Community Circle?
Community Circles:
 Are usually made up of about 8-12 people from different backgrounds.
 Meet together once a week for about 5-6 weeks in two-hour sessions.
 Agree to a set of ground rules that help them talk through the issues.
 Are led by a neutral facilitator whose job is to help the group stay on the topic and work
toward shared understandings.
 Look at an issue from different directions and explore common concerns.
 Come up with practical ways to address the issue.
 Work with other Community Circles in the community to make plans for action and change.
Where Will This Lead?
 Create a shared vision of what we want for our community.
 Gain a better understanding of poverty and identify what contributes to it.
 Get people moving together in a positive direction to address poverty and its causes.
Why Is This Important?
If we are going to make progress in eliminating poverty, people from all backgrounds will
need to come together to share their knowledge and experiences, so that we can find a
solution to poverty that best fits our community.
How Can I Participate?
 Volunteer to help organize the Community Circles.
 Sign up to participate in a Community Circle in our community.
 Participate in the community Action Forum at the end of the Community Circles.
 Volunteer to help with the ideas that come from the Action Forum.
For More Information, Contact:
[INSERT LOCAL CONTACT INFO]