Participants of Circles South Muskoka share experiences about coping with inflation
This story is the first in a four-part series featuring members of Circles South Muskoka discussing poverty and how to achieve more stability.
Inflation is hitting people in Muskoka hard, forcing them to make difficult decisions about which expenses to prioritize.
Our reporter connected with the Circles South Muskoka group in Gravenhurst to talk about inflation, housing, transportation and mental health. The program, run by YWCA Muskoka, brings people together to learn about poverty and how to overcome obstacles.
The group consists of Leaders and Allies. Leaders are low-income individuals who have graduated from YWCA’s Getting Ahead program, which enables them to develop a plan to improve their situations.
The Allies are graduates from YWCA’s Bridges Out of Poverty program, which teaches them about the complexities of poverty from the individual to systemic level.
Both programs created a common language and understanding of poverty. Through the Circles program, Allies walk alongside Leaders working to achieve self-sufficiency, forming trust and friendship along the way.
But progress and prosperity take time and look different for everyone.
“Prosperity doesn’t mean just finances. Prosperity means that social connection, it means your mental health and well-being is topped off, your physical (health),” said Circles coach Kelly Jones.
Jones has first-hand experience with situational and generational poverty. She graduated from Circles in Huntsville four years ago. Now, she is devoted to helping others get ahead.
Something holding everyone back right now is the rising cost of everything.
“One of the things that I’ve noticed with inflation is food (and) the costs of fresh produce. The cost of a lot of things that we used to get for very little money has gone up,” said Circles Leader Terri Jo Déraiche.
Grocery sales that push people to buy in bulk, with deals like two for $5 or three for $10, may benefit stores more than customers, said Jones. People on tighter budgets can often only afford to buy one item at a time.
Circles South Muskoka is a group of Leaders and Allies that meet to discuss poverty. Allies help Leaders in their journeys toward achieving more stability and self-sufficiency. — Sarah Law/Metroland photo
“I had to choose between do I get groceries, or do I get diapers? Of course, I got diapers,” said Circles Leader Mya M. “It’s just unbelievable how much things have gone up.”
Rising gas prices are another huge worry. Getting to work, school and medical appointments is more expensive, leaving little room for leisure activities.
“Something as simple as just going out for dinner is now something like McDonald’s,” said Déraiche. “You don’t go to a restaurant for under $30 nowadays if you’re two people, and who wants to go by themselves?”
Not being able to do these things can make people feel bad about themselves.
“I just feel embarrassed. I can’t go and do things (with my child) like everybody else around me can,” said Mya M.
Feeling hopeful won’t lower the costs of food and gas — but having clear goals in mind to achieving more stability is essential in getting people out of the poverty cycle, said Kelly Jones.
Circles co-ordinator Amy Jones said she has seen people in the program overcome barriers like making phone calls, which meant they could start reaching out to other community agencies, and one woman being able to talk to men again, which meant she could form new friendships and connect with a male counsellor.
Securing child care was one of Kelly Jones’ goals as a Circles Leader. This gave her more breathing room to plan ahead.
“Circles builds the self-esteem and confidence for individuals to just cope with things better,” she said. “When we can empower ourselves to do things for ourselves, it makes a world of difference.”
And Circles Leaders are investing the energy into empowering themselves and each other.
“There’s so many systemic barriers that everybody’s facing. Everybody’s frustrated about gas prices, everybody’s frustrated about how much more their groceries cost, but if you have a sustainable and safe income, that looks different,” said Circles co-ordinator Amy Jones. “Now people are facing it in unprecedented ways and they continue to show up and have hope for the future, which is incredible.”
Kelly Jones, left, and Amy Jones of YWCA Muskoka’s Circles South Muskoka program. The program fosters relationships between community members to help people achieve their goals of self-sufficiency. — Sarah Law/Metroland photo
Sarah Law – Gravenhurst Banner – Monday, June 13, 2022