2021 Worldmaker Awards
As part of our 10th Jubilee, we are bringing to life our long-held vision of honoring leaders who express the fullness of our Worldmaker mission. The 2021 Worldmaker Award winners represent individuals and organizations who are actively shaping a stronger, more connected and equitable world. 2021 Community Weaver: Dr. Renée
Worldmaker International Announces New Board Leadership
Worldmaker International, a nonprofit human resilience organization founded in Iowa, announced today they have made changes to their Board and Executive Leadership Team. Former COO, David Richmond from the UK, is assuming the Board Chair position with Ivy Kusinga, a native of Uganda, serving as Board Vice-Chair. “I am confident
Plant Your Dreams Event Recap 2021
We were wrapping up our Plant Your Dreams event in partnership with The Academy for Scholastic and Personal Success when a Board member came up and said, “I’m not sure what your expectations were, but by every measure I can see, this event was a success. It was inspiring to
Community Members Invited to Help Local Youth Plant Their Dreams
The Academy for Personal and Scholastic Success, in partnership with the nonprofit Worldmaker International, is hosting a Plant Your Dreams event for Academy students on Sunday, April 25, 2021 at The Big Apple Orchard located west of Mount Vernon, Iowa. Community members are invited to attend. The Academy, which uses
A Story about Grandfriends: How Community Involvement Can Help Seniors Thrive
For twelve months we have been isolated, separated from family and friends because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sharing meals, holidays, and hugs with our children or grandchildren who do not live with us, attending civic meetings or religious services, gathering with our friends and neighbors — how often did we
What It’s Like to Live with OCD – Guest Blog by Author Bob Burg
I’d be 26 years of age before even knowing the medical name of this internal hell that had plagued me for so long; or that it was even a medical disorder as opposed to a personal one. Until then, I simply thought; one, I was crazy. And, two, that I’m
Pocket of Excellence – Paulette Johnson
Think you can’t deepen social bonds during this time of pandemic-related physical distancing? We invite you to think again! Times of great challenge bring great opportunity to pave new paths forward. Perhaps this is just the time to start a new tradition that will build resilience now and into future
Choosing to Celebrate 2020
For the past several months, we have been called on to live in unfamiliar ways, often physically distanced from family and friends. There is great benefit in choosing to find and celebrate the good within dark times — and we amplify the benefit by celebrating together. What has this looked
How to Parent Amidst a Global Pandemic – November Newsletter
Hi friends, In our last newsletter we updated you regarding the derecho that blazed a 700 mile swath across the Midwest, demolishing homes, businesses, properties, and crops. Presented with an opportunity to pivot and serve our fellow Iowans, we stepped into meeting immediate needs of food, water and shelter and
Worldmaker Provides Free Resilience Program to Help Iowa Families Manage Stress
Worldmaker International is providing free resilience education to Eastern Iowa families. The Pandemic Parenting program, developed as part of a $200,000 CARES Act grant to Worldmaker, provides practical strategies to help parents meet today’s increased demands, keep a healthy perspective, and respond to their child’s social, emotional, and mental health
Feeling Our Way: Supporting the Emotional Needs of our School Communities
The unprecedented social and emotional challenges that American PreK-12 students are facing in light of the COVID-19 pandemic is a complex topic. So we were pleased to be invited to a broad conversation to collectively shed some light on the path forward. Thank you to the University of Southern California’s
Midwest Derecho Recovery
Hi friends, You might have heard about the recent derecho that, with little notice, blazed a 700 mile swath across Iowa and beyond, demolishing homes, businesses, properties, and crops. This included hurricane like winds up to 140 mph through sections of our home community. Some of our team members are