Community members met Monday at the Dallas County Family Resource Center to discuss how to better the future for local families.

Leaders of the center’s Circles of Transformation initiative participated in the meeting.

Circles of Transformation aims to help low-income families reach financial goals, through the aid of community volunteers and support groups.

The program partners families working to get out of poverty with two to three middle income community volunteers who befriend them and lend support.

Organizers say no money is given to families. Instead they offer hope, friendship and a developing sense of self-worth.

Families can be referred by friends, family or can refer themselves.

Sessions will also focus on education, career, relationship and other goals.

“As we engage families that want a better future story for themselves, we work collaboratively [with volunteers],” said COT coordinator Laurel Blackwell. “They’ll do some self-reflection and gear up for the transition we hope they’ll start making in their thinking and possibilities for their lives.”

During Monday’s meeting, the leadership team discussed how to provide childcare for the meetings and where they will take place. They also discussed volunteers and referrals.

COT director James Thomas thought the group made great progress.

“I think the meeting went very well,” he said. “We accomplished our goal of identifying the needs we need to fill in order to begin Circles of Transformation effectively in Selma,” Thomas said. “We want this to be a long-term initiative in Selma. We’re trying to plan it as a sustainable movement.”

The team plans to hold a “Taste and See” next month to have individuals come out to dinner and see what the program is all about. The event is scheduled for Aug. 17 from 5:30-8 p.m. at Memorial United Methodist Church located at 2150 Broad St.

For more information about Circles of Transformation, call Blackwell at 524-3652 or the Dallas County Family Resource Center at 874-7785.