8/9/2019 AHMI09 Roni Flakes Advertorial

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Careers In CompassionAmerican Humanics prepares next generation nonprofit leaders

American HumanicsSM 1100 Walnut St., Ste 1900 Kansas City MO 64106 v (816) 561-6415 f (816) 531-3527 www.humanics.o

When used needles and burntspoons are as common as crayonsand coloring books around thehouse, its easy to see why kids of

substance abusers often follow intheir parents footsteps. Andwhen a child hears these statisticstime after time, said Roni Flakes,it can become very discouraging.

Now a senior in the AmericanHumanics nonprofit managementand leadership program at theUniversity of Arkansas-LittleRock, Roni could have becomejust another statistic. Fortunatelyshe has never let circumstances

stand in the way of her purpose.

My way of conquering thatshame was to begin telling othersmy story, she explained. It wasempowering, and I found that I canbe a voice for those that might nothave the courage to speak forthemselves.

Ronis passion led her to UA-Little Rocks American Humanicsprogram. There she gained

competency in fundraising,volunteer management, and otherskills needed to turn her passioninto a career.

American Humanics (AH) is anational alliance of colleges,universities, and nonprofitsdedicated to preparing the nextgeneration of nonprofit leaders.The AH certificate is offered atnearly 70 universities nationwide;AH graduates now serve as

professionals with organizationssuch as March of Dimes, GirlScouts, 4-H, and the YMCA.

The AH NextGen LeadersAward is a competitive scholarshipprogram to support AH studentsserving as interns with nonprofitorganizations. Roni wasrecognized as a NextGen Leader

Roni Flakes, recognized for her inspiring

story at the 2009 AH Management/

Leadership Institute, Indianapolis, Ind.

last summer. In January she toldher story to over 1,000 AHstudents, faculty, and nonprofitprofessionals attending the annualAH Management/LeadershipInstitute in Indianapolis.

Through my involvementwith AH I found Simones Home,Inc., a residential girls homestarted by a graduate of the AHprogram, Roni said. AH course-work helped prepare her for aproductive internship. I presenteda fundraising plan to the board ofdirectors and saw many of myideas utilized in the organization,she continued. Thats somethingthat Im really proud of.

Many nonprofit internships areunpaid, which can inhibit peoplelike Roni from exploring a careerin helping others. The NextGenscholarship provides a $4500stipend to help support the internsliving expenses. Of the 385NextGen Leaders recognized sofar, 42% are students of color. A

significant portion of AH studentsare non-traditional; many return toschool to pursue a career thatmakes a difference.

Nonprofits represent the fastestgrowing sector in the US economyThey will need a significantnumber of talented, diverse leadersas the current generation retires.AH is committed to addingdiversity to the workforce andleadership in the sector.Communities of color consistentlyrepresent 35-40% of the AHstudent body, including talentedand passionate people like Roni.

It was so powerful and sotouching to see young girls inthose same situations as mine, tohear them lovingly call meMommy, and to be able to makea difference in their lives, saidRoni. It has been a blessing to bepart of the AH program.

For more information, visitwww.humanics.org or call (800)343-6466.

www.humanics.org

I found that my realpassion was to help

those who are goingthrough what Ive

been through. I canbe a voice for thosethat might not have

the courage to speakfor themselves.