Harriet. The nonprofit CEO.
Harriet is the CEO of the Center for Enriched Living (CEL), a nonprofit providing opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The center, located in Riverwoods, Illinois, used to be open seven days a week to members of the community, offering social, recreational and educational programs. In mid-March, however, the center had to shut its doors to abide by Illinois’ shelter-in-place orders. That left the center’s nearly 500 members without the important gathering space they had come to rely on — a place to connect with friends and learn new skills to help them thrive in school, their jobs and the community.
“We are a vibrant, joyful place,” Harriet said. “People chose to be there, they don't have to be there. So when they are sheltered in place, they are really removed from so much. It is devastating for them.”
Harriet and her team took swift action, transforming their once in-person classes into virtual programming, all at no cost to participants. Children, teens and adults with developmental disabilities can now sign up to partake in free online courses offered through the center over Zoom. Classes include creative writing, book club, professional development and even dance parties.
Before the pandemic, CEL had planned to provide virtual programming at some point in the future. It was part of Harriet’s vision for the center, but not one she thought would be instituted so quickly.
“This sort of accelerate what we had been talking about doing and wanted to do,” she said. “It really did put it on the fast track.”
She credits her talented team for the center being able to launch virtual programming in such a short amount of time. At first, CEL offered a limited number of virtual programs in the mornings or evenings. Now, virtual classes take place seven days a week from roughly 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. CEL also acquired grant funding to purchase about 20 computers, which people can check out — again, for free — during quarantine so they have reliable technology to connect with CEL’s programming.
What started as an experiment and quick solution to maintaining a connection with the members has grown into a successful new programming branch of the organization. Harriet expects CEL will continue offering virtual classes even after the center is able to reopen to the public. People seem to love the online course options, are staying engaged and the center is able to reach more people in need.
“The face-to-face, in-person connection, you cannot replace,” Harriet said. “But the next best thing is connecting virtually. We will definitely continue virtual programming, there is no question about that.”
FINDING HER FOOTING
Adapting to this “new normal” did not come without challenges for Harriet, both professionally and personally. She said she felt like she was “standing on quicksand” during the first few weeks. Things seemed out of her control, but she knew she needed to fight to stay afloat. She wanted to ensure the organization was secure financially during this period of economic uncertainty, and she wanted to make sure her staff and the people the CEL serves were taken care of. She found her footing and asked herself: “What can I do in my mind and in my life and in my actions to take control?”
CEL applied for and received a loan through the federal government’s Paycheck Protection Program, which will help the center with some financial challenges. Harriet also recognized providing a social connection for both CEL members and staff was important during quarantine.
“The reason our program people are so wonderful, why they are so good at what they do, is because they love being with people,” she said. “You take that away and they are at a loss.”
CEL’s virtual programs enable that much-needed connection. She is proud to work for an organization with dedicated and capable professionals, board members, donors and supporters who have made providing these services to the community they serve possible.
“As a leader at a nonprofit, you are only as good as the people you work with,” Harriet said. “I have a very strong team, a very capable team.”
CLINGING TO HOPE
To stay strong herself, Harriet meditates at least twice a day and practices yoga. She limits the amount of news she watches and connects with friends and family over the phone and through video chats. She holds virtual happy hours with her CEL team and Facetimes with her daughter and four-month-old grandson. The results of a Myers–Briggs test she took years ago have proven true during this period of self-isolation.
“I am an extroverted introvert, I never knew that before,” she said. “I love being alone but also love, love, love being with people. I learned that I can be alone and I am ok with it, but I can't be alone for too long. So I have made a deliberate effort to reach out to friends and family, staff, board, donors. I am calling them, checking in on them.”
Harriet is also an optimist and is taking note of the unintended consequences of this otherwise incredibly challenging and tragic time.
“The air is cleaner. There are more birds in my backyard than I have ever seen,” Harried said. “Nature is rebounding. There always has to be some good. We can never lose hope. Never. Ever.”
LEARN MORE ABOUT HARRIET...
WHAT IS YOUR INSPIRATION TO KEEP GOING?
“Thinking about our members and what the center means to them and all that they are capable of achieving in their life. They love the center, and that is what keeps me getting out of bed in the morning — making sure this place is there for them as long as we can keep it open. We are going to emerge from this stronger than ever.”
WHAT ARE YOU GRATEFUL FOR AT THIS MOMENT?
“My health, my home, the good food in my pantry and my great friends and family. I always finish my meditation with a moment of gratitude.”
WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO WHEN THINGS “GET BACK TO NORMAL?”
“I love to travel, and I am looking forward to planning my next trip. Also, getting together for dinner with my friends and shooting the breeze over a glass of wine. And, holding my baby grandson.”