Ripples
A Narrative:
The main focal point for the Circles of Support program is Matched Circles, but Community Engagement is another key aspect. Monthly Community Leadership Team and Big View meetings bring our Circles of Support community together to build relationships and work for positive change in our community. They empower community members with low incomes to offer solutions to some of the systemic issues of poverty. Allies who have middle or upper incomes join them, providing social capital and resources to cooperatively address these challenges.
Here is a real example of how it works. Recently, a group of Circles of Support Getting Ahead students met with Jim Heilig, the Duluth Transit Authority (DTA) director of administration, to talk about ways to improve bus service in Duluth, especially for those who are working or seeking work. Mr. Heilig explained the only way to increase service would be to raise bus fares. The Getting Ahead group told him that they and most other bus riders would not mind paying slightly more for service if the buses could get them were they needed to be, when they needed to be there. The group understood that bus riders in most other cities pay higher fares and that service in Duluth was suffering due to lower revenues.
After hearing from our community, the DTA began exploring a fare hike that would allow additional routes and service. On August 30, 2010, the Duluth City Council gave approval for the DTA to raise fares and increase bus service. Starting in January, the DTA will provide bus service on Sundays, holidays, and later at night to support those working evening shifts.
Jim Heilig visited with our Circles of Support community at the Big View: Solutions to Poverty meeting on August 26 and applauded our help and involvement in this issue. The Circles of Support community is excited and inspired by this small "win." It is truly an example of how a small group of engaged citizens can make things happen!
Past Narratives:
Click on the links below to view past issues of Ripples.
July 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
July 2009
