Careers In Compassion
American Humanics prepares next generation nonprofit leaders
When used needles and burnt
students of color. A significant
spoons are as common as crayons
portion of AH students are non-
and coloring books around the house,
traditional; many return to school
it’s easy to see why kids of substance
to pursue a career that makes a
abusers often follow in their parents’
difference.
footsteps. “And when a child hears
these statistics time after time,” said
“II foundd thatt myy reall
Roni Flakes, “it can become very
passionn wass too helpp
discouraging.” thosee whoo aree goingg
throughh whatt I’vee
Now a senior in the American
beenn through.. II cann
Humanics nonprofit management and
bee aa voicee forr thosee
leadership program at the University
thatt mightt nott havee
of Arkansas-Little Rock, Roni could
thee couragee too speakk
have become just another statistic.
forr themselves.””
Fortunately she has never let circum-
stances stand in the way of her pur- Nonprofits represent the
pose. fastest growing sector in the US
economy. They will need a signifi-
“My way of conquering that
Roni Flakes, recognized for her inspiring
cant number of talented, diverse
shame was to begin telling others my
story at the 2009 AH Management/
leaders as the current generation
Leadership Institute, Indianapolis, Ind.
story,” she explained. “It was retires. AH is committed to adding
empowering, and I found that I can
Leader last summer. In January she
diversity to the workforce and
be a voice for those that might not
told her story to over 1,000 AH stu-
leadership in the sector. Commu-
have the courage to speak for them-
dents, faculty, and nonprofit profes-
nities of color consistently repre-
selves.”
sionals attending the annual AH Man-
sent 35-40% of the AH student
agement/Leadership Institute in Indi-
body, including talented and pas-
Roni’s passion led her to UA-
anapolis.
sionate people like Roni.
Little Rock’s American Humanics
program. There she gained compe-
“Through my involvement with
“It was so powerful and so
tency in fundraising, volunteer man-
AH I found Simone’s Home, Inc., a
touching to see young girls in
agement, and other skills needed to
residential girls’ home started by a
those same situations as mine, to
turn her passion into a career.
graduate of the AH program,” Roni
hear them lovingly call me
said. AH course-work helped prepare
‘Mommy,’ and to be able to make
American Humanics (AH) is a
her for a productive internship. “I
a difference in their lives,” said
national alliance of colleges, univer-
presented a fundraising plan to the
Roni. “It has been a blessing to be
sities, and nonprofits dedicated to
board of directors and saw many of
part of the AH program.”
preparing the next generation of non-
my ideas utilized in the organiza-
profit leaders. The AH certificate is
tion,” she continued. “That’s some-
For more information, visit
offered at nearly 70 universities
thing that I’m really proud of.”
www.humanics.org or call (800)
nationwide; AH graduates now serve 343-6466.
as professionals with organizations
Many nonprofit internships are
such as March of Dimes, Girl Scouts,
unpaid, which can inhibit people like
4-H, and the YMCA.
Roni from exploring a career in help-
ing others. The NextGen scholarship
The AH NextGen Leaders Award is a
provides a $4500 stipend to help sup-
competitive scholarship program to
port the intern’s living expenses. Of
support AH students serving as
the 385 NextGen Leaders recognized
interns with nonprofit organizations.
so far, 81% are female and 42% are
Roni was recognized as a NextGen
www.humanics.org
Advertorial, Professional Woman’s Magazine Author: Richard M. Potter Spring 2009
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