A Communication Approach to Confronting Poverty: Creating Interactional Capital and Building Cross-Class Community through Collective Communicative Practices in the Boulder County Circles Campaign

This qualitative, ethnographic research study documented the use and effects of collective communicative practices (CCPs) employed by an organization, called Circles, that aims to create community among a group of diverse people from different socioeconomic classes, including those who currently live in poverty, for the purpose of aiding the efforts of those who are impoverished to move out of poverty. Using data collected from participant interviews, questionnaires, participant-observation, and Circles documents, the research findings suggest a new conception of the communication being promoted through Circles, called interactional capital, which describes the types of communication and other communicative resources that facilitate the creation and maintenance of social capital through interactions with others. The discussion chapter examines the nature and impact of interactional capital on participants at the individual, collective, and societal levels; and it explicates implications of the study, both theoretically—with respect to relationships among poverty, communication, and community— and practically, with regard to what lessons learned from this analysis suggest might be best practices for antipoverty programs, including Circles. COLLECTIVE COMMUNICATIVE PRACTICES iv Acknowledgments Without the help of a whole host of people I am proud to call family, friends, and mentors, this work would not have been possible. Loving thanks to my incredible partner, and now fiancée, Jeff, who stood by me through the many highs and lows of my graduate school career, who was my biggest supporter and my constant advocate, and who, on a very practical note, made sure that I had a constant supply of coffee during the weekends that I sat in front of my computer screen for 15 hours at a time. Infinite thanks for loving, inspiring, and challenging me; for truly believing in me; and—no small task—for putting up with me as I wrote this dissertation. Many thanks to my mom, whose unconditional support and love kept me going, who cooked me dinners and took care of everything that I put on hold to get this done, who raised me to believe that I can accomplish anything I want to, and encouraged me to always follow my dreams. Many thanks to my dad, who was willing to listen to, think about, and debate these ideas with me; whose work with people struggling with bankruptcy continues to inspire me to be an advocate for social justice issues; who reminds me all the time that he is proud of me; and who gave me some of my favorite dissertation advice: “Just finish it! ” Many thanks to my fairy godmother, Becky, “Dr. Dork,” who set a shining example of perseverance and determination in finishing her dissertation. Many thanks to my wonderful group of friends, especially Sarah, for making my Boulder commute absolutely enjoyable and for being eternally positive; Molly, for always being willing to lend an ear to help me talk through an idea, over wine; and Katie, for getting it done first. Much thanks and appreciation to my committee: Bob, David, Stephen, and Ben, for your energy, time, great ideas, redirections, and willingness to read nearly 400 pages! And last but certainly not least, thanks to the best advisor I could possibly ask for: the amazing Larry Frey, who not only introduced me to social justice scholarship and inspired me to pursue it but also dedicated countless hours of reading, editing, and helping me to develop this work. Larry, without your immense help, this dissertation truly never would have been written. I am so grateful to have all of you in my life. COLLECTIVE COMMUNICATIVE PRACTICES v