From today’s paper:

Nonprofits to get guidance on economic challenge

By Corinne Ciocia

Tennessee Voices

The Center for Nonprofit Management is currently hosting a series entitled “Weathering the Economic Storm” for area nonprofit directors.

It is dedicated to helping the Middle Tennessee nonprofit community learn the necessary skills to meet the economic challenges that lie ahead. We have seen an incredible turnout. That tells us Nashville has a nonprofit community determined to find a way to continue to serve its clients, even when it becomes harder and harder to find the means necessary to do so.

Those of us who call Nashville home know it is a special place. As the financial news remains unstable, and on some days dire, our center is seeing what makes this area special every day. The nonprofit community is realistic about the challenges that lie ahead, but committed to facing those challenges and optimistic that it will continue to find a way to help those in need.

On Oct. 29, we will honor the individuals of this community with our annual Salute to Excellence, giving away $159,000 in awards to nonprofits that have demonstrated a resilience and desire to achieve excellence, even in a challenging economic environment.

We will have the opportunity to acknowledge individuals like Nejib Adem, a caseworker for Catholic Charities who works late conducting an evening workshop designed to teach male refugees of the Somali Bantu how to help in the household, and John Shouse, board member of the Autism Society of Middle Tennessee. One of his many accomplishments in service to this community is his effort to bring together area organizations and Metro Nashville Public Schools to craft a values statement on how to educate students with disabilities.

We will also honor organizations like the Nashville Adult Literacy Council that responded to the need for more volunteers by creating a new program designed to accommodate busy people who want to give their time. “Start Now” is the first program of its kind in the country, and has been a huge success.

There are many employees like Adem, board members like Shouse and volunteers like those who support the Nashville Adult Literacy Council. These people are working every day, with little or no fanfare, to make Nashville a special place to live. In the face of economic adversity, this community is coming together to learn and teach each other how to survive, and continue to serve those needing help.

 Congratulations to all of our exceptional finalists!