In August, I was fortunate enough to spend a week at the Aspen Institute. Along with 14 other global nonprofit leaders, I was selected as an American Express Leadership Academy Aspen 2.0 Fellow. The fellowship, focused on the Aspen Institute tradition of values-based leadership, brings together leaders from the sector to discuss a core set of readings drawn from texts ranging from Plato to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Over the course of the last two months, I have had time to reflect on the fellowship as well as my overall experience with the American Express Leadership Academy. Combining Aspen with my experience with Class IX of the American Express Leadership Academy at the ASU Lodestar Center, I have spent considerable time discussing and thinking about themes and challenges that are common across the sector. These challenges are faced by organizations globally, organizations of all size and scale and across focus areas – from education to equity; homelessness to environment; immigration to arts. Many, if not all in this sector, are aware of the challenges and can rehearse them on-demand: funding, capacity, retention, burn out, etc. Many of these challenges tend to be thought of as resulting from…

What I have learned in Public Allies:

• Social justice
• Data rescue 
• Networking
• Public speaking
• Advocating for myself

I felt like I was stuck working in a place with no more room to grow and develop. I didn’t know what my next step was going to be. I was working mixed shifts at Starbucks, wondering what the next challenge would be. I’ve always known my dream was to become an educator and empower children – to love, to learn and to believe in their capabilities. I wanted to be a person children can look up to for guidance and encouragement and be able to make a difference in their lives. One day I got a message – it was from my future director telling me to apply to Public Allies.

I can honestly say that my life has changed dramatically with Public Allies. They not only helped me overcome some small fears, such as writing a professional email and making connections with nonprofits, but also taught me to advocate for myself. I was always terrified to speak out. 

I doubted myself, worried that what I had to say wasn’t great, and I wouldn’t be able to offer important input. Those small skills brought so much confidence and developed my character greatly. I can continue to use everything I’ve learned anywhere I go in both life and in future job opportunities.

One way I helped build capacity…

Public Allies core value: Collaboration

We believe in the strength of the collective and we build consensus and empower each other to achieve common goals.

It takes a village to raise a child. As the Human Resource Staffing Coordinator (and later, the Volunteer Coordinator) for Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale, I realized that it really does take a village to raise a child. There is strength in the collective power of partnerships and teamwork. Above all, I learned that crisis, obstacles and challenges are all areas of opportunity. All are blessings in disguise. It is what happens in times of crisis that leadership, collaboration and partnerships come together to create something magical and positive in the hearts of all those affected – in this case, the children of Arizona. In terms of Public Allies, everyone leads to help create a just and equitable society for each other. However, the children are the great futures that we must never allow to suffer alone. That is why it takes a village to raise a child. We cannot do it alone.

During the Arizona teachers strike, my organization was hit hard. What seemed like a small walkout turned into a statewide political movement that trickled down into localities, especially those in youth development and education – of which Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale is all about. The kids had nowhere to go during the walkout. What happened was beyond what I had imagined. It is one…

Thinking back, I had no idea where I was in life or where I wanted to be. I only knew I wanted to be in the nonprofit sector; I knew wanted to help. I have always known that to be my purpose. How I was going to get there and do my life’s purpose was up for debate. That is when I discovered Public Allies Arizona.

They took a single mother of two, who was pretty much stuck in life doing the bare minimum, and believed in me. They gave me a chance to express my talents and gifts in order to better serve the community.  They also allowed me the opportunity to connect with my purpose. I am here to help others find a way out of no way. 

Throughout all the trainings, workshops and countless social engagements, I started to remember who I was and what I brought to the “equation called life.” I brought hope that you too can dig deep and grasp anything your heart desires, anything you reach to seek no matter the situation. I realized you do not have to let your circumstances define you.

This is the mindset I chose to keep during the 10-month program. While serving at my placement, I filled my purpose by contributing to a cause.

I never want to take this experience for granted. I learned so much along the way and will carry this information with me forever.  Coming into Public Allies, I was just a stay-at-home mom; entering…

Through Public Allies Arizona, I was placed at AZCEND as the Family Resource Center Coordinator. AZCEND is a one-stop-shop for families in the Chandler/Gilbert community. AZCEND offers food boxes through their Food Bank, rent and utility assistance though the Community Action Program (CAP), and senior programs through the Chandler Senior Center and the Gilbert Community Center. In addition, they offer case management for homeless clients in the Interfaith Home Emergency Lodging Program (I-HELP). At AZCEND, they aim to change lives by nourishing minds and bodies to create a connected, thriving community.

Within the Family Resource Center parenting workshops, early literacy programs, Giggles, Squiggles and Squirms (G.S.S,) child watch, and community health are offered. I set up and coordinated parenting workshops, helped with G.S.S, and assisted with child watch. In addition, I attended networking and community events to do outreach for our programs.

My biggest accomplishment with my FRC team was Operation Santa. Operation Santa is an annual Christmas gift assistance program. In 2017, AZCEND provided Christmas gifts for over 480 children. Anyone can get involved with Operation Santa. Donors assist with ‘Adopt a Family’ program, donations of new…