Advocacy has been part of our work from the start — a natural outgrowth of our Circles NWA community listening to one another, identifying shared challenges, and mobilizing relationships to address them. Month after month in our Circles Big View gatherings, Circle Leaders, volunteer Allies, and community members have surfaced the issues that matter most — from unsafe housing conditions to benefit cliffs to predatory auto lending — and worked together to push for solutions.

What began as local conversations has grown into citywide resolutions, task forces, and connections to statewide and national efforts.

Our advocacy focuses on building economic security and mobility for the ALICE demographic (Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed) and following the lead of those closest to the challenges. This has led us to champion affordable housing, renter protections, benefit cliff solutions, and fair lending practices. We will continue to follow the leadership of our VOIS Fellows and Circle Leaders as we advocate for new actions and possibilities that build a better community.