🔥 Firebrand Collective
A blog for nonprofit leaders and consultants who are committed to social justice, equity, and impact.
Why Self-Care Without Community Care Isn't Possible
Self-care for people of color isn’t always possible. We’ve been raised to respect our elders, to say yes to family, and to always put them ahead of ourselves. So when people tell us to take care of ourselves, we struggle to accept what that actually means from a cultural standpoint.
Three Ways to Support Loved Ones With Mental Health Issues
Mental health is heavily stigmatized in many Asian and Pacific Islander cultures. In the United States, 13% of Asian Americans have been diagnosed with a mental health condition, and we know that this number is most likely underreported. As a result of the stigmatization, Asian Americans are 3x less likely to seek services. Here are ways we can support them.
How Trauma Affects the Way Survivors Work in the Non-Profit Sector
The nonprofit sector has talked about vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and burnout for years. But there is little discussion on this topic of internal trauma that staff is experiencing. And trauma is contagious. If it is not dealt with, it has the potential to create a toxic environment. So how do we create a space for survivors to thrive?
Okay, We Need to Talk About Toxic Non-Profit Workplaces
The 2016 Nonprofit Employment Practices Survey, published by Nonprofit HR, puts the average employee turnover rate at 19%. We’re not talking just burnout here. In fact, we’re past burnout. We’re talking about the need for collective care and radical healing.
Supporting Humans with Self-Care: My Dog's Perspective
One year ago, I became a certified assistance dog. My job is to give lots of love and support to people who need it. I’m great at snuggles but my job requires me to do so much more.
Five Strategies to Manage Your Self-Care as a New Entrepreneur
As a first-time entrepreneur and a new business owner, self-care can be challenging. There is always so much to do and never enough time. Recently, a fellow entrepreneur said to me, “You’ve got to be crazy to think you’re going to have evenings and weekends off, especially in your first five years”. Here’s the reality. Entrepreneurs are at high risk of experiencing stress, burnout, and potentially, mental health conditions.