BY ANITA STIEFEL / THE OBSERVER

Circles Opelika recognized four at Circle Leaders 2023 graduation, held Oct. 5 at Southern Union State Community College. Graduates included Mary Uzzle, Antoinette Swanson, Jasmine Meyers and Tovelle Benson.
Circles Opelika is a community-driven program that works to increase upward mobility for individuals and families in poverty in Opelika.
Participants, called Circle Leaders, partner with community volunteers, called Allies, to receive training on finances, employment, health, goal setting and communication skills.
Pictured in the photo on the right from left to right are Regina Meadows, Tovelle Benson, Mary Uzzle and Nathaniel Dunlap Jr. Left photo, Uzzle’s young daughter gives her mom a hug. Swanson and Meyers were not in attendance the night of the graduation.