Mission
Circles NWA
Circles NWA :The mission of Innovative Poverty Solutions (IPS) is to develop and implement community-driven, innovative solutions to ending poverty in Northwest Arkansas (NWA).
Sponsoring P&G Alumni
Sponsoring Alum: Sarah “Sally” Schoen
24 years in CBD in US (Philadelphia, Rochester, Fayetteville, Cincinnati, Los Angeles) and Europe (Geneva, Switzerland)
Additional Alums involved: Henry Ho and Mike Russell
Sarah “Sally” Schoen is on the IPS Board (since 2024) and has served as a Volunteer Ally within the Circles Program for the past three years. During her time with Circles, Sally met with her Circle Leader weekly, advocated alongside her for improved housing conditions, and leveraged her business acumen for her Circle Leader’s career advancement. Over the 18-month program, her Circle Leader achieved stable housing, secured a job promotion, doubled her support network, and grew significantly in confidence and leadership. Sally has returned as an Ally in cohort 4 and is working with a new Circle Leader to support and grow the Circle Leader’s small business.
In her endorsement letter, Sally writes, “Circles NWA gives Circle Leaders the confidence, critical business skills training and a new network of community support to overcome real barriers. Circles NWA is exactly the type of organization I sought to support in retirement because it is set up for success and making a major impact.”
Circles Northwest Arkansas
Circles NWA, IPS’s flagship program, supports upward mobility for low-income households. Built on a “flipped” mentorship model, Circles centers the leadership of those in poverty by matching participants, known as Circle Leaders, with 2–3 middle- or upper-income volunteers called Allies. Over 18 months, Allies walk alongside their Circle Leader to support economic growth, job readiness, and community connection.
The program includes
1) Circle Leaders completing a 10-week course on financial literacy and career skills while Allies complete an 8-week “poverty IQ” training to better understand systemic poverty,
2) weekly cohort meetings, focused on budgeting, expense tracking, and long-term goal-setting, and
3) career development that Includes resumes, networking support, skills assessments, and professional headshots, and
4) other program elements. In 2024, 88% of Circle Leaders increased their income and doubled their social capital (number of people they can reach out for connections or support.)
2025 Grant
PGAF’s $25,000 grant will support 12 new Circle Leaders and 30 new Volunteer Allies as part of Cohort 5 of the Circles NWA program. It will begin in Fall 2025 and continue through Spring 2027. Grant funds will support the successful launch and implementation of this 18-month cohort which include: 1) Professional coaching services focused on financial literacy, career development, and navigating systems like public benefits, 2) Training for participants (Circle Leaders) and volunteer Allies, and 3) Essential program materials and participant supports, including meals, transportation assistance, and childcare during weekly meetings.
Success Story
“This journey has shown me what’s possible when I dare to dream big and believe in myself. It’s taught me the power of leaning in, trusting the process, and surrounding myself with people who truly care.”
— Sarah Bryan
For a long time, I felt lonely and disconnected. It was hard to get consistent feedback or guidance, which made it difficult to know where to start improving my situation. Challenges with Medicaid affected both my mental health and my ability to keep steady employment. It often felt like I was stuck in a domino effect—one setback leading to another—creating a perfect storm that seemed impossible to escape.
When I joined Circles NWA, I began to gain perspective on what I could do to change my life. My Allies, Gwynne and Sally, were incredible partners along the way. Gwynne encouraged me to embrace my authenticity and stand firm in my values, while Sally helped me grow in confidence and connect more openly with others. Their support, and the community I found through Circles, reminded me that I wasn’t alone in navigating life’s challenges. Together, we have shared experiences, learned new skills, and encouraged one another to keep moving forward.
Today, I’m proud of the life I’ve built. I found a job that truly fits my needs. It has hours that let me spend quality time with my kids, better pay that’s helped me pay down debt, and the stability to start improving my home. I’ve been able to replace old wood, paint the front, and make my space feel reliable and safe – something that’s more than enough for me!
More importantly, I’ve gained confidence in myself and in what I’m capable of achieving.
With the help of community I’ve built a stronger, more stable life for myself and my family—proving that with the right support, change starts from within.