The disaster risk in Elkhart, Indiana, is comparatively low, according to recent risk assessments. Low for earthquakes. Low for wildfires. But that doesn’t mean disasters don’t strike, especially as cases of extreme weather becomes more frequent. 

Nonprofits have to prepare for these disasters, both big and small. This month, National Preparedness Month, is a time to think about resources and to plan for the expected – and the unexpected. 

When Britney Russell started her hair styling business in 2011, she already had a vision for where it might take her. 

This is how Sir Vin Delights got its name, according to owner Donna Rose: Her husband is nicknamed Sir Vincent, “and I am a delight.” Her juices, sold from Miramar, Florida, now have a brick-and-mortar storefront. But she also has distribution to clients that including the Miami Dolphins training camp.

Everything rises and falls on leadership, said Dan Ellis, CEO of NHS of Baltimore, “It’s the key to everything we do.” 

He looks at leadership training like this: If your staff is such a large part of your budget, then not investing in them to help them be “as good as they can be” is just plain foolish.

As longtime community development leaders begin to retire, a new generation must carry the wave forward.

NeighborWorks® America knows it takes people with vision to bring the work of affordable housing and community development forward. During the NeighborWorks Training Institute in Miami Beach this month, the organization presented Visionary Leader awards to two people whose vision expanded community opportunities in the state of Florida: Ignacio Estaban, retired CEO of Florida Community Loan Fund, and Germaine Smith-Baugh, president & CEO of the Urban League of Broward County.

Good boards lead to impactful organizations. That’s the reason behind the training that NeighborWorks® America provides to board members and organizational leaders alike. All sides were represented this week during the Board Governance Exchange, a daylong convening so that board members and organizational leaders could talk about lessons learned and practical advice for effective board service. 

Gabriel Figueroa had already been doing community engagement in Fitchburg, Massachusetts when Francisco Ramos, Community Building & Engagement director for NewVue, asked if he wanted to help with a program that would assess the needs of residents.

More than 1,500 affordable housing and community development staff members from across the country met in Miami Beach this week to connect, strategize and learn. This marks the first time the NeighborWorks® Training Institute, often considered a “mobile university” for community development professionals, has been held in Miami Beach.