Welcoming Myla, Brooklyn Org’s New Nonprofit Engagement Manager

As I learned while growing up in Williamsburg Brooklyn, in times tough and easy, it is essential that we look to our communities for the support we all deserve. Our neighbors can provide not just moments of joy and camaraderie, but also the tools for our survival and continued ability to thrive. In community, we learn from each other, grow together, and plant seeds for the future together. Often, helping one another starts with a simple question: “How are you?”

What do you need? Have you eaten? Would you like to have a seat? Are you comfortable? Supported? How can we help you?

That’s why it’s such a pleasure to be Brooklyn Org’s Nonprofit Engagement Manager. Every day, I feel the privilege of being able to call all Brooklynites my neighbors, and the honor of offering my support to my fellow nonprofit colleagues as they carry forward the incredibly impactful work they do to uplift Brooklyn and all the borough has to offer.

It is my job to connect Brooklyn nonprofits with the resources they need, whether that’s a training, a webinar, a conference, or simply a conversation with someone who shares their experiences. I believe in the importance of having a safe, understanding place to land, and I’m grateful that BKO is that place for so many.

As the Nonprofit Engagement Manager I also get to do the fun stuff: sometimes a happy hour or yoga with colleagues is what’s needed to rebalance and recharge. We take pride in connecting to the humanity that drives the organizations we work with, meeting individuals where they are with what they need instead of just what we think is needed. This knowledge is gained through our dedication to listening to the communities and nonprofits we serve and being open to ideas and collaborations whenever they arise.

If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. At Brooklyn Org, we know that Brooklyn Backs Brooklyn, and that it takes many hands to make light work. Our grantee partners are supported by donors and volunteers across the borough who understand that deep, longstanding roots in the communities these nonprofits serve are key to creating stable foundations upon which all Brooklynites can build. Because of that understanding and generosity, the many nonprofit organizations in our network are able to craft a legacy of service that future generations will continue to benefit from.

In my short time at Brooklyn Org I’ve already witnessed the passion that drives our grantees to pursue their missions, and I’m constantly reminded that there are people out there who are quietly rescuing their communities. They have identified a need and dedicated themselves to fulfilling it, even when the going gets difficult. With all of the upheaval around the world, their actions inspire me to be a changemaker, to consider what unique gifts I might be able to offer my neighbors near and far. It is our hope that their work will inspire you to ask your community what it needs too!