Being The Community

Krista Eagan (center) celebrates the completion of her 18-Month Match Circle with allies Joe Sailors (right) and Janet Voth (left).  Story by Tom James.

   Joe Sailors came to Circle of Hope through very organic means. You might say he was already an ally before he walked through our door. Let me explain. Joe had befriended a homeless couple and was doing his best to help find them the services they needed to get their lives on a more stable path. Joe was new to Newton, he had been a teacher in Haysville for many years, and he didn’t immediately know what the process was, or who to reach out to. He just began navigating the system much the way an unhoused person would, from the ground up – with the exception that he had a car and unlimited minutes on his phone.

    At every turn in this process, he realized how difficult things would be for someone without these tools that many of us take for granted. As he put those tools to use and began navigating the social support structures in Newton, one can imagine that he didn’t have to go far before he heard the words “Circle of Hope” or “Peace Connections”. Not long after that, he certainly heard the sentence, “Please join us for a meal next Tuesday“.

    Joe is quick to talk about the magic that he feels when he sits down to share a meal with purpose, and with community. That first Circle of Hope meal led to four months of Tuesday night meals with his friends, hoping that the strength of the Circle would draw them onto a more positive path. 

     Sadly, that didn’t happen, but what did happen is that Joe began his journey to becoming a Circle ally, from the ground up, so to speak. He admits that those four months were crucial to building the trust necessary to become truly connected, to be able to step into the Circle of Hope as a trusted ally.

     “I think it’s one of the purest, most innocent experiences I have as an adult. It is simply a time for people to connect and be in community. You don’t see people with phones out. You don’t see arguments. It’s a very innocent and intentional time together. And I think the community is very loving and supportive of each other.”

     As our discussion ended, Joe added, "I just don’t think we have enough intentional community experiences like this that are available to people in this town”. We agree, Joe, but we’re glad you’re part of the one here at Harvey County Circle of Hope!