Phyllis J. Edwards is the Executive Director for Bridging Communities, a non-profit organization in Southwest Detroit whose primary focus is eldercare and community development. She is the board chair for Aging Services Consortium for Detroit, treasurer for the Southeast Michigan Senior Regional Collaborative, member of the advisory board for the Detroit Area Agency on Aging 1A, and board chair for Community Development Advocates of Detroit (CDAD).
Nationally, she is a board member for Self Development of People, National Association of Nonprofit Organizations and Executives, and previous member-at-large with National Association of Social Worker (NASW) Board of Directors.
Learn more about Bridging Communities.
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Timestamps:
Overview of Bridging Communities' mission and work [3:11]
Describing the life of a Detroit senior [7:02]
The need for intergenerational approaches to social service [9:09]
The role of spirituality in Phyllis' organizing work [12:44]
Why Phyllis decided to embark on a new career at retirement age [14:11]
Why community service is so important to Phyllis [17:14]
How to make a difference when operating in strict corporate spaces [19:18]
Challenges in getting programs funded that benefit seniors [21:17]
The process of managing a successful program [23:44]
Overcoming stereotypes and making a seat at the table [26:53]
Changes Phyllis would like to see in how organizations are allocated funding [32:13]
Pushing back against outside developers that don't know the community [36:11]
How to support Phyllis and Bridging Communities' work [38:00]
Hopes and vision for 2021 [40:05]
How to get in contact [41:49]