A milestone on the journey to financial security

The six women were filled with excitement. Wearing bright blue gowns and caps, they entered the hall amid cheers from their family members and friends. It was their graduation from the Circles of the Coastal Bend program, an opportunity provided by Catholic Charities. They finished the program by attending weekly meetings, learning financial literacy, and daring to dream of a brighter future.
 
All six are mothers; some are single providers, and some have already made positive changes in their lives, such as getting a better job, returning to school to complete their education, or buying a home. Stephanie Fuentes shared how the community that she experienced helped her find the confidence to pursue her dreams. Jessica Rohr says, “Life’s going to happen, whether you want it to or not. Financial difficulties, employment difficulties… but what Circles provided for me, along with knowledge, was a lot of moral support.”
 
Every week, their mentors encouraged them; speakers helped them learn about ways to save money, budgeting, and many other topics. They all stuck with it and were proud to reach this milestone. Keynote speaker, councilwoman Silvia Campos, shared her own journey from collecting signatures to keep the libraries open to running for office: “Don’t wait to be asked to be a leader – you just have to do it.”
 Graduate Maribel Ruiz with program director Isabel Jones and Coach Oscar Martinez CaptionIsabel Jones, the program director, expressed her gratitude to the speakers, sponsors, advisory team, and hospitality team who contributed to making Circles possible: “We became a family.” Addressing the first group to complete the core program, she said, “You’ve gained the tools, you’ve gained the skills, and you’ve gained a community.” They will be remembered—they are the first group in Texas to finish the program.
 
Coach Oscar Martinez handed out the certificates and explained that the program is still ongoing. “We continue to meet with them once a month, to see how it is going and to support them on their journey.”
 
As this continues, a new group of families will begin on September 2. Interested individuals can apply to become a Circles Leader (someone working to rise out of poverty) or a Circles Ally (a volunteer who walks alongside Leaders) by visiting: https://catholiccharities-cc.org/circles-of-the-coastal-bend.