In the Face of Disaster, Community Becomes Our Greatest Strength

I wanted to start this year’s first newsletter on a positive note, but I could not ignore the devastation caused by the wildfires in my home state of Southern California. Seeing so many communities upended, and so many people displaced was tough. While the fires didn’t personally impact my home, I knew many worried about their homes and loved ones. However, many have come together over the last few weeks to help those who need it most.

The resilience of so many reminds me of how important it is to keep our communities strong. In times of crisis, the actions of our civic leaders aren’t always perfect. No matter how well-written your crisis communications plan is, nothing goes according to plan. It’ll always take a village to get through the most challenging times. And the better-prepared we are, the quicker and stronger we tend to bounce back when things waver.

I know it will take time for the communities that were destroyed to rebuild and for those who have lost trust in their civic leaders or the systems that were supposed to protect them. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that communities are stronger than any crisis. Recovery isn’t just about rebuilding homes—it’s about restoring trust, connection, and hope. We each have a role to play, whether it’s through small acts of kindness or advocating for better systems. As we move forward into this year, let’s continue to show up for one another, find ways to build stronger, more resilient communities, and ensure that when challenges arise, we rise together.

Here’s to a year of rebuilding, resilience, and renewed strength.

To find out more on how you can help the communities impacted by the wildfires visit the American Red Cross.

–Robert  🤝