Community Team Volunteer (Ally)

Community Team Volunteers, also called Allies, build genuine and supportive relationships with Circles Leaders as they work toward greater economic stability. Allies offer consistent encouragement, practical support, and access to social connections that may help Leaders reach their goals.

Allies do not serve as case managers or financial sponsors. Instead, they walk alongside Leaders as trusted community members, celebrating progress, helping work through challenges, and expanding the relationships and opportunities available to them.

Attend weekly Circles meetings, build a consistent relationship with a Circles Leader, listen without judgment, offer encouragement, and help the Leader think through goals and challenges. Allies may share helpful knowledge, introduce community connections, celebrate milestones, and maintain informal contact between meetings.

This role is a good fit for adults who are open-minded, dependable, encouraging, and interested in building relationships across economic and social differences. Allies should be willing to listen, learn, respect personal boundaries, and allow the Circles Leader to remain in control of their own goals and decisions.

Allies make an approximately 18-month commitment to a Circles cohort. Participation includes weekly meetings at Friends In Deed as well as regular informal communication with the Circles Leader between meetings. Orientation, training, and ongoing support are provided.