Five County’s Circles program seeks volunteers, plans Iron County cohort to help residents move above poverty line

Catherine Moster of Five County Community Action Partnership told the Iron County Commission on Sept. 20 that the organization plans to start a local cohort of the national Circles poverty-reduction program in Cedar City in early 2026 and asked for volunteer allies and local partners.

Moster said Circles pairs “leaders” (people working to move out of poverty) with volunteers called “allies” and offers weekly classes, child programming and quarterly family nights. The program focuses on three pillars: intentional friendships, personal transformation and systemic change. “We try to bring people up to 200% of that poverty guideline,” she said, describing the program’s target outcomes.

Moster presented county-level data: she said 38.6% of Iron County residents live at or below 200% of the federal poverty guideline and noted average monthly wages in Iron County are lower than the state average. She said childcare costs and housing affordability are major local barriers and that Circles aims to help participants secure more stable employment, certificates and transportation while supporting children’s parallel programming.

Darren Bushman, Five County’s new executive director, said the program is “incredibly volunteer intensive” and asked local officials to help recruit volunteers, corporate partners and meal providers for weekly sessions. Bushman said Washington County’s cohort showed early success and encouraged Iron County to support early-stage recruitment and site selection; candidates for meeting sites mentioned included the county senior center and the library.

Moster said Five County hopes to begin the Iron County cohort in January or February 2026 and will work with county staff and community organizations on space, volunteer recruitment and referrals. Commissioners expressed support and suggested coordination with existing interagency groups addressing intergenerational poverty.