Circles of Troup County will host its fifth graduation ceremony Sept. 17.

Six families will graduate from the initial 12-week class and move to the next phase of self-sufficiency.

Circles is a countywide initiative that works to eradicate poverty by helping individual families reach their goals to move to self-sufficiency.

Families that are chosen to participate attend a 12-week class that helps them develop practical skills including goal setting, budgeting, job readiness and learning the “hidden rules” of economic class.

Circles’ two-generation approach includes teaching children basic life skills as well.

“This graduation is really a beginning. All our participants have already set goals that will move them to self-sufficiency: better jobs, attending school, learning a new skill,” said Sherri Brown, director of Circles of Troup County. “Once they graduate, they continue attending weekly meetings for the next 18 months while working with volunteers from the community. Our volunteers — we call them allies — offer encouragement, knowledge and social networks to help them reach their goals.”

The graduation is open to the community. Each graduate will tell her story.

“Attending this graduation will give people a good overview of how Circles works,” Brown said. “We hope the community will join us to celebrate this milestone and learn a little about the strength and motivation our participants have to change their lives.”

Circles graduation will be at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 17 at Troup Baptist Association, 1301 Washington St. A reception will follow the graduation.