Creative Citizens Soften Impact of Tough Economy with New Network

    EUSTIS, FL, March 12, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Not everyone is feeling helpless in this down economy. "Creative citizens from L.A. to Miami are crafting innovative solutions to rescue those overwhelmed by tough times," says Debra Berg, director of the National Institute for Civic Enterprise (NICE). She maintains that "more than ever, the public is stepping up to the plate to help people impacted by the financial crisis, and they're not waiting to see if the government will do it first." To help these innovators connect and share strategies quickly, NICE has recently launched its NICE Community Forum at www.NICENetwork.org. "Especially in a troubled economy, new ideas to help those in need are vital to avert a crisis. This forum will help do that," Berg added.

Berg was interviewed recently by Sky Radio for the March series of American Airlines' Innovators Report. Her research reveals a surprisingly healthy civic trend fueled by everyday people. She calls the trend "The New Civic America." Her organization promotes these individuals, called civic and social entrepreneurs, who are showing up in their communities to pitch in and help out.

One such example Berg cited is a Central Florida realtor who, in the depressed Florida real estate market, became aware of people experiencing foreclosure and job loss. Having once volunteered at an outreach mission in another city, she decided to replicate the food bank operation in her town to help the displaced and hungry.

Berg's Sky Radio interview focuses on NICE's primary mission which is to turn the corner on a wide range of human service social challenges by providing web-based and face-to-face networking opportunities, nonprofit training, and recognition for social entrepreneurs. NICE also invites volunteers and donors to participate in the forum. Depending upon the initiative, a simple online dialogue can result in a project being "civic franchised" into other communities fast. Berg points out that if a solution is successful in one location, it makes sense to replicate the idea, even parts of it, elsewhere. She predicts that the NICE Community Forum will become a valuable one-of-a-kind "go-to" knowledge base for high quality community programs even after the economy recovers. The first series of topics spotlighted on the forum features youth mentoring and economic survival tips for nonprofits.

NICE's other mission is to help foster mutually beneficial partnerships between businesses and nonprofits. This type of relationship offers companies positive advertising exposure and provides nonprofits new resources to help more people. NICE welcomes companies to the website to research successful causes prior to investing their time and dollars. Berg cites how corporate America invested $14 billion last year on social responsibility initiatives. "They understand the power of creative people coming together to transform communities, but they also want to know the most effective place to put those dollars. We can help them do that," she added.

For further information, contact Debra Berg at 352-589-5981; [email protected]. Listen to Debra Berg's Sky Radio interview at www.NICENetwork.org.

The National Institute for Civic Enterprise (NICE) - networks innovative human service nonprofit leaders, donors, and volunteers for the purpose of speeding up assistance to all categories of the disadvantaged, needy, and underserved. NICE's primary mission is to turn the corner on a wide range of human service social challenges by providing web-based and face-to-face networking opportunities, nonprofit training, and recognition of civic and social entrepreneurs. It also facilitates corporate-nonprofit partnerships and encourages replication of new social innovations nationwide and worldwide. www.NICENetwork.org.

Debra J. Berg - is the author of The Power of One: The Unsung Everyday Heroes Rescuing America's Cities based upon an eight-year trek across America of citizen innovators in thirty cities. Berg is the president of Power of One Publishing, LLC and director of the National Institute for Civic Enterprise (NICE). Online press kit: www.DebraBerg.com.

Sky Radio Network - provides business, technology, health and entertainment programming to some of the largest airlines in the world, including United, American, Delta, Northwest, US Airways and America West. The mission of the Sky Radio Network is to produce high-quality business and technology programming which educates, informs and entertains airline passengers. www.SkyRadioNet.com

# # #