We recently connected with Kristina DaSilva and have shared our conversation below.
Kristina, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
At HandsOn Broward, our mission is to empower people to make a difference for causes they care about. Founded in 1974 on the belief that service accelerates meaningful change, we’ve spent the last 48 years mobilizing individuals, families, and businesses in volunteerism to generate impact in Broward County. Through our partnerships with hundreds of local companies and nonprofits, we have created opportunities for people to revitalize schools, parks, playgrounds, and neighborhoods. Our volunteers create art in public spaces, build sustainable gardens, renovate community properties, respond to disasters and work to protect the environment.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
When I joined HandsOn Broward 14 years ago, I was a volunteer with a desire to do something that matters. I was searching for a way to blend my passions with my service to create for myself a greater sense of purpose. I came across this wonderful organization that was working to support community members affected by Hurricane Wilma, and disaster recovery was just one of the many programs and projects that they were coordinating to make a difference in our community. It sparked a desire in me to be a part of this group of people who went to work each day with a shared goal of simply doing good. So when a job opportunity came up, I did just that. I joined the HandsOn Broward team in October of 2007.
In the years since, I’ve had the honor and the privilege to work alongside an incredible team to lead thousands of people in service each year, making a difference where it matters most. As HandsOn Broward’s current Chief Operating Officer, I feel fortunate to be in constant witness to the power of people to transform communities. This work is my steady reminder that together, we can accomplish anything, and that kindness is the greatest catalyst for change.
Have you ever had to pivot?
In our work, bringing people together in shoulder-to shoulder volunteerism is a critical part of what we do. So when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the way in which we mobilized people in service was challenged at it’s core. We had to quickly pivot to a new model which enabled people to support the rising needs of a community in crisis from the safety and comfort of their homes.
From that, the HandsOn at Home program was born and soon, hundreds of volunteers were mobilizing to support food collections, supplies drives, virtual service-learning and at-home volunteering projects to meet the needs of our nonprofit partners and neighborhoods. There were many silver linings throughout the process, which included ways of solving community challenges that we hadn’t thought of before.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
When your mission is kindness, it’s not hard to build a reputation that you can be proud of. But when I consider what it takes to fulfill that mission, it is clear to me that without the thousands of volunteers who join us in service to make Broward County a better place, we wouldn’t have any reputation at all.
Volunteers are the heartbeat of communities and they have sustained HandsOn Broward’s programs for nearly five decades of doing good. I’m still as energized about our work as I was when I first heard about this organization so many years ago and am profoundly grateful to be a part of it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.handsonbroward.org/
- Instagram: @handsonbroward
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HandsOnBroward
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinadasilva/
- Twitter: @handsonbroward
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/HandsOnBroward