Desert Charities - Oct-Nov-Dec 2023

Page 8 Desert Charities News – www .desertcharities.com • www.dcnnews.com October/November/December 2023 www.visi tredcross.org/soc al 251201-08 2/22 Volunteer. Donate. Take a Class. Visit redcross.org/SoCal or call 1-800-RED CROSS to learn more. We invite you and others to join the American Red Cross mission by volunteering, learning lifesaving skills like CPR or making a financial donation. Your support helps ensure families don’t face emergencies alone. Down the Street Across the Country Around the World Navigating Post-COVID Waters: My Journey with Women Leaders Forum Two decades; that’s how long my heart has been intertwined with theWomen Leaders Forum of the Coachella Valley (WLF). Yet, through the challenges and triumphs of these past 20 years, the past few have been unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. COVID-19 was not just a health crisis; it transformed the very fabric of our societies, demanding adaptability, resilience, and a renewed vision. Stepping into the role of president of WLF post-COVID was a decision borne from recognizing WLF’s need to reinvent and rebuild, as well as an opportunity to strengthen an organization that has always provided support and encouragement through personal and professional trials. The shadows of the pandemic loomed large, but I was determined to harness the dormant energy within our community. As we moved forward, I couldn’t help but reflect on a critical realization that became more evident in the wake of the pandemic: the old ways, however cherished, needed revisiting. The global upheaval prompted by COVID-19 was also an invitation—a call to reconnect, reengage, and reimagine. Central to our resurgence has been the drive to foster new relationships, while rekindling and strengthening existing ones. My vision was clear: fortify partnerships between our individual members, business members and sponsors, and cultivate an environment wherein every member felt seen, heard, and empowered. Today, as I look back on our post-COVID journey, it isn’t just about WLF’s recovery or growth. It’s about reimagining lives, identities, and leadership. It’s about a collective of women leaders coming together to connect, engage, and inspire. By Jenell Vandenbos , President, Women Leaders Forum of the Coachella Valley