Gain Your Outside Perspective

Nicky's Outside Perspective: Back on the Trail By Nicky Wood, MSW Last week was my first time leading an expedition since becoming a mom. My last expedition was in the early fall of 2020, at the start of the pandemic. It felt like so long ago and yesterday at the same time. The most significant change was how I needed to prepare myself and my family for an expedition. Now, it feels much more monumental to get to day one! I can tell you that once we pulled our backpacks out of the van at the trailhead and watched the van pull away, it felt like I was back in the saddle. The worries of the world melted away, and I was just there. There in the woods, in the rain, with whatever we remembered to bring and nothing more. Our challenges are what are in front of us, and we have only each other to rely on.  After this trip, the one thing that sticks with me is that pivotal moment that an instructor lives to facilitate, helping a participant turn a challenge into fun. In some ways, the instru...

In the spirit of collaboration and community building, Outside Perspectives Directors recently participated in the Connecticut Community Foundation's Nonprofit Community Conversation hosted at Naugatuck Valley Community College this past Friday. This event brought together nonprofit leaders, community members, and municipal leaders to connect, share, and discuss the path to a brighter tomorrow. The Connecticut Community Foundation, guided by its mission to foster an equitable and inclusive community in Greater Waterbury and Litchfield Hills, organized this gathering with a compelling goal. They aimed to unite people around a shared vision for the future while engaging in intentional conversations about the community. The Foundation, present and listening, gathered feedback to share with the community, nonprofit organizations, and municipal leaders.   Nicky, Lauren, and Liza sat at different tables alongside other nonprofit leaders and community members at the event. Everyone at the...