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Continually Increasing Circles
The Study Circles Resource Center describes the Study Circle process as, "A five-session discussion guide to help people talk about poverty in their community and take action to create a place where everyone can thrive." Additionally, for those living in Making Connections neighborhoods, the Annie E. Casey Foundation has grant monies available to implement the Study Circle recommendations.
As we followed the Study Circle guide, I really enjoyed the process of examining the past, visualizing what could be, then stepping forward knowing there were resources to make our recommendations a reality. The overall conclusions of the group at Victory Memorial was that the children are the future we want to embrace and empower. The next step was for a group of five participants to meet and make recommendations as to how the grant money would be spent.
In the spirit of the Study Circle findings, the committee recommended half of the grant money go to the youth of the community by funding educator's requests for improving the next year's learning experience plus four fun activities for the youth beginning with this week's game night for 13-16 year-olds. One-third of the funds have been targeted for elementary school enrichment projects at IPS 39. A little over 10% will be used for printing and publishing of the Early Childhood Directory being developed by the Southeast Learning Partnership.
As a result of my involvement in this Study Circle at Victory Memorial, I learned enough about the process to want one for my double-block of Churchman Ave. Even though we came up with projects for our block which need lots of manpower and little money, we established eight new community leaders who volunteered to spearhead the projects we feel will enhance our block's properties and its people. But the most thrilling part is that a group of people living in a community bonded and are now neighbors living in a neighborhood.
I am just now beginning the grant writing process and already our property clean-up efforts are being joined by the youth from the American Legion as their community service project. And thus, another circle has already begun and I am dreaming of continually increasing circles beyond my ability to comprehend.
Jane Mullikin
I was sick when Martha Day stopped by to ask me to help with the Study Circles being held at Victory Memorial last fall. It was beyond my comprehension that I should open my mouth and say "yes" when I was feeling so horrendous--but I did--and thus I opened a door to another door to another door which I hope continually increases and never ceases.
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