Big View
The goal of Big View is to leverage our collective experience, networks and resources as a Circles® Community to address more systemic challenges faced by our Circle Leaders and make an impact in the broader community.
What is Big View?
We tackle critical community-wide issues impacting our Circle Leaders such as housing, employment, childcare, healthcare and the environment through our Big View initiative by pooling our resources, experiences and connections.
Once a month, we hold a Big View session where we discuss these issues and design tangible ways to address problems and barriers faced by our Circle Leaders. Occasionally we host guests who speak to these issues, answer questions and listen to the perspectives of our Circle Leaders and Allies. Big View guests have included District council members, Mayors, OPP officers, business owners and community members.
Big View In Action
Housing was voted as the number one barrier to moving away from poverty across both the North and South Circles® sites. How this translates into action is somewhat different.
The North site has initiated a podcast project called "Walls Within: Diary of a Housing Crisis" which will include a series of podcasts, a website and a public awareness campaign. The hope is that by sharing stories of lived experience from Circles® community members who have been challenged to find safe, appropriate and accessible housing, they will raise awareness of the scale and impact the housing crisis is having on the community and inspire action. The podcast will feature in-depth, personal stories of struggle, hope and overcoming obstacles connected to Housing in Muskoka. Find out more here.
Through discussions and investigations, the South site leaned towards the ability to navigate online resources and determine what housing supports are available. They have come up with an idea to create a ‘Housing Navigation tool’ that will help individuals and families navigate the system to find out what supports, programs and initiatives are available to them.
These two projects are currently in progress. Stay tuned to our newsletter and check back here for more updates.
The Cliff Effect
The Cliff Effect occurs when a pay raise at work triggers a disproportionate loss of government assistance. Even a small raise can “push people off the cliff” when it comes to benefits. Suddenly ineligible for subsidized food, housing, healthcare, or childcare, the family is worse off than before receiving the raise.
By inviting community members to sit in on Big View evenings, Circles provides opportunities for Leaders to share their challenges and come up with solutions to alleviate the Cliff Effect. Our Bridges in Business workshop offers suggestions for local employers to help offset The Cliff Effect and invest in their employees to alleviate poverty.