We recently connected with Nesha Higgins and have shared our conversation below.

Nesha , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about serving the underserved.

Thank you so much! I’m really excited to share a bit about what we do. Serving the underserved is truly at the heart of everything we do at Melabiz Community Hub. We focus on creating a safe and supportive space for youth who might not have access to the resources they need, whether that’s mental health services, mentorship, job readiness programs, or just a place to feel seen and heard.

A lot of these young people are dealing with really tough situations—gun violence, housing instability, or just the everyday challenges that can feel overwhelming. Our goal is to step in where traditional services might not reach, and provide the kind of holistic support that can help them not only survive but thrive. Seeing the change in them when they feel empowered is what keeps me going. It’s why I started this journey, and it’s why I keep pushing forward.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Absolutely! I’m Nesha Higgins, the founder of Melabiz Community Hub, a nonprofit organization that focuses on supporting underserved youth and families in Maricopa County. My journey into this work came from my own personal experiences and a deep desire to create the kind of support system I needed when I was younger. Growing up, I faced challenges navigating the foster care system and youth homelessness, and I often felt alone without the resources or guidance that could’ve helped me. That experience shaped my mission to be the person I needed at that time.

At Melabiz, we offer a wide range of services designed to uplift and empower youth. We provide free mental health support, leadership and personal development workshops, financial literacy training, job readiness programs, and mentorship through our flagship D.R.E.A.M. Girl Initiative. We also have a drop-in center where youth can come to access resources, tutoring, and emotional support. Our MYGuard Initiative focuses on reducing gun violence through mentorship and crisis intervention, a program that’s particularly important given the challenges many youth in our community face.

What sets us apart is our holistic, community-driven approach. We don’t just address one need, we look at the whole person and how we can help them build a better future. Whether it’s helping someone with their resume, providing a safe space to talk, or offering free therapy, we’re here to meet people where they’re at and give them the tools to succeed.

I’m most proud of the transformation we see in the youth we work with—watching them grow from feeling uncertain and unsupported to becoming confident leaders in their communities. It’s incredibly fulfilling to know that we’re making a real difference. For anyone interested in supporting us, just know that every donation, partnership, and bit of advocacy helps us keep these services free and accessible to those who need them most. We’re all about creating lasting change, one person at a time.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

My biggest piece of advice for managing a team and maintaining high morale is to create an environment where everyone feels valued and heard. Open communication is key—people want to know they can express their ideas, concerns, and feedback without judgment. Regular check-ins, both formal and informal, help keep the lines of communication open and ensure everyone is on the same page.

Another important thing is celebrating small wins. It’s easy to get caught up in the big picture and forget to acknowledge the day-to-day successes. Recognizing individual and team efforts goes a long way in keeping morale high. It could be as simple as a shout-out during a meeting or a quick thank-you email. People need to feel appreciated for the work they do.

Finally, be flexible and understanding. Life happens, and team members need to know that you’ve got their back when things get tough. Building trust within your team helps foster loyalty and commitment, and ultimately creates a more positive, productive work environment. A happy team is a motivated team, and that’s what leads to long-term success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://melabizcommunityhub.org
• Instagram: melabiz_communityhub
• Facebook: melabiz community hub