By Jill (Bennett) Iman, Ph.D., JVA Consulting
As a new addition to the JVA team, I am excited to be able to work with and support those who are making the world a better place. In my short time, I have already witnessed the immense passion our clients have for addressing some of the greatest obstacles that face those living in communities across Colorado.
My desire to be a part of JVA and the work that you all as social change makers are doing every day is deeply rooted in my own background. The combination of my doctoral research focusing on racial, gender and socioeconomic inequities, time spent directly working on policy with a U.S. senator and, perhaps most impactful, growing up with a mom who ran a nonprofit has created this desire to find the intersections between on-the-ground, direct services and the creation and implementation of public policy.
My mom, Diane, was the executive director of a nonprofit in Columbus, Ohio, for almost 30 years. Action for Children (AFC) is a resource and referral agency that works with parents, childcare providers, businesses and community organizations to promote the availability of quality childcare. Through advocacy and referral services, AFC is working toward transforming the future, so that every child in central Ohio has access to quality early learning experiences.
Nonprofits and public service have always been a part of who I am. As an infant, I was often passed around the agency as a temporary “baby break” for staff, and as a young kid, you better believe I was at AFC if ever there were days off from school (often stuffing envelopes or even manning the front desk). From the time I was 12, it was just my mom and I living together, and with that, I transitioned from just the frequent visitor/volunteer at AFC to my mom’s confidant: I listened as my mom weathered the financial and funding cycles; I felt her sorrow when staff needed to be cut; I witnessed her joy when fundraising events were successful and small initiatives were supported; I listened to the planning meetings she held in our home; and ultimately, I learned to appreciate the true highs and lows of being a part of a community organization.
I have not run a nonprofit, but my best friend and one of my personal heroes has. I’m proud of my mom, and I only hope to carry on a small piece of her legacy by making a difference in the world and working with those who are already fighting the good fight.
It’s nice to be introduced to you and I cannot wait to begin working alongside you.
Leave A Comment