Circles of Troup County is accepting applications for its next class, which has 15 openings to begin in late June.

The goal of Circles is to work with families who want to get ahead, learn to set goals to become self-sufficient and are willing to make new friendships.

“We’re adding something new with this class,” said Sherri Brown, director of Circles of Troup. “We are offering the same class at two different times each week – Tuesday mornings and Thursday evenings – and participants can attend whichever class works best with their schedules. We’re hoping to be able to open these classes to people who have jobs with rotating shifts.”

Goals of the participants are varied.

“We work with people who want to go to school, get a job or get a better job. It’s up to them to choose and set their goals,” Brown said.

Participants attend the 10-week class, then are matched with volunteers from the community who may help them reach their goals.

Of the participants in the first three classes, Brown said 85 percent have reduced debt, 100 percent are employed, 24 percent have increased their income, 38 percent have enrolled in post-secondary school and 18 percent have taken on leadership roles in the community.

Circles of Troup County serves people in LaGrange, West Point and Hogansville. There is free transportation provided for residents of West Point Housing Authority.

Weekly classes this summer are held on Tuesday mornings and Thursday evenings – participants must attend one class each week for 10 weeks. Classes meet at Troup Baptist Association, 1301 Washington St. in LaGrange.

To be accepted into the Circles program, applicants must fill out an application and have an interview. Applications are available online at circlesoftroup.org/how-to-apply/ or at the Circles office at Mike Daniel Recreation Center, 1220 Lafayette Parkway.

Applications for the summer class are due by 5 p.m. June 19.

For information, see the website, www.circlesoftroup.org or contact Sherri Brown at sbrown@troupco.org or at (706) 883-1687.