The image with this post is from 2017. It's written by a guy from Omaha, Nebraska, that I met in Chicago, Illinois, at a Rotary Zone Leadership Development Summit. I love that this popped up in my timeline today because all of the conversations that are about companies and organizations looking to build diversity, inclusion, and equity committees
We did it — four events in one weekend! It was a challenge but we organized four Community Heart & Soul picnics in local parks throughout Ambridge. We followed CDC recommended guidelines which allowed residents to have a low-pressure experience meeting our leadership team and learning about how Ambridge Heart & Soul will become the basis for building our community’s shared values and unique action plan.
I can honestly say, I love where we are at in this journey. Community Heart & Soul is about storytelling and how it can help communities build brighter futures together. The goal is to involve as many residents as possible, including those who are underrepresented and have not typically had a voice in their community’s planning processes. During our picnics, residents were welcomed and encouraged to visit five stations to help set the stage for meaningful and transformative action plans. " Ambridge Community Heart & Soul solicited feedback from residents at community picnics. Photo credit: Rustbelt Mayberry Photography / Ambridge Heart & Soul. Each station had a different experience:
AMBRIDGE HEART & SOUL FOLLOWED CDC GUIDELINES FOR SAFETY AT THEIR SUMMER PICNIC EVENTS. PHOTO CREDIT: RUSTBELT MAYBERRY PHOTOGRAPHY / AMBRIDGE HEART & SOUL It will be an uphill battle to earn people’s trust in a town where it wasn’t always easy to be heard. Fortunately, there is training and support from the Pennsylvania Humanities Council and the folks at Community Heart & Soul that will help everyone join together and collectively make a lasting impact. This is not new terrain for me as a longtime advocate for civic engagement in Ambridge. The Community Heart & Soul program builds on my own work of making meaningful change through conversations and storytelling. We are on our way to greater inclusivity and shared decision-making with these recent picnics, which engaged those missing voices and helped us learn more about what is important to our community. The next step is identifying shared values, called Heart & Soul Statements. We are setting the stage for meaningful and transformative plans for action! RESIDENTS WROTE THEIR HOPES FOR THE TOWN ON CHALKBOARDS AT THE AMBRIDGE HEART & SOUL PICNICS. PHOTO CREDIT: RUSTBELT MAYBERRY PHOTOGRAPHY / AMBRIDGE HEART & SOUL I can already envision us doing the strategic group events — that we have yet to plan but will be coming in the future — because we laid the foundation and started the conversation. I see our Community Heart & Soul events allowing safe discussions where residents want to connect, converse, and answer real questions about their community in places like the library, parks, and more. Resident-driven starts with residents seeing themselves in positions to be heard! Kudos to our team for being exactly what this community needs to make Ambridge what we all know it can be! Relish the process because we will see results in each event moving forward. I’m pumped! You never know when someone calls you for an interview how the finish product will turn out. I worked tirelessly to help change the conversation in my area by promoting civic engagement. At no point was I looking to be a voice for the community, my goal was to be an avenue and lighthouse.
Before the name 'Karen' became a social norm for a person who felt that their belief of entitlement trumped my personal boundaries and basic human decency and respect, I was used to it. It never stopped me because I moved forward in life with the unwritten understanding that I have to be emotionally stronger, educated, focused, healthy, and in sync with my morals and purpose.
Growing up the one thing I knew was that I am an athlete. Being an athlete made me feel like a person, a valued person despite the internal and external struggles of my life. School wasn't number one in my mind as a youth, that was just something I had to do so I could do a sport. I recognize what's going on in the world. But I also recognize what
Story time. I was asked to do an interview during the height of the quarantine. This was before we went into the phases of opening the state again and before the protest of masks and the BLM protests.
I had the honor of being part of a panel discussion on change
Why say Black Lives Matter and not All Lives Matter? How do white friends help, do we say I am your ally in all of this? We will ask the uncomfortable questions to ignite the change Over the past 2 weeks I have received a number of calls, visits, messages, and texts checking in on me here is a bit of advice
As many of you are learning about the blind eye and silence moments that you had during the time our lives intertwined. Realize I don't want to relive them, I don't want to be considered a victim of them. I want you to look at me today and realize that I am dope and I chose to move forward without giving in to the stupidity, arrogance, narcissism, and pridefulness of others. I went to support the youth who wanted to do a protest in Ambridge. I did not realize what seeing signs saying reading black lives matters and strangers of all color and ages standing together to call out racism was going to cause an emotional reaction from me.
I have so many life experiences from having dark skin that I at times I am numb and have to sit back and take care of my mental health.
Do a social experiment for yourself, If you want to know how it kinda feels to have brown skin. Put on a red baseball cap that says make America great again and do not say anything. Go outside your home and around in places of work, community, and go to places that have people who do not know you personally. ‘You’re Supposed To Give Back’: Beaver Co. Woman Teams With Local Groups To Raise Money For Laptops4/9/2020
“People are angry. They don’t understand what to do next. There is confusion,” said Mycyk.
With remote learning, layoffs and kids with homework, Felicia says it’s too much to manage. On her social media page, she’s heard from dozens of families who need help. “You can’t blame the school for not being ready for this because guess what? They were ready for everybody to be in the school,” Mycyk said. With tough choices and many unknowns, Mycyk began partnering with local churches and the Rotary Club to raise money to buy laptops for families in need. “You’re supposed to give back to your community,” said Mycyk. Mycyk says the one thing that can’t be given back is the loss of opportunity now that athletics are canceled for the rest of the academic year, too. “It still hurts. … I have 14 seniors on my team,” Mycyk said. Raeffon Ruskin is one of those seniors on the Ambridge High track & field team. “Working all that time for my senior year to be taken away from me, it breaks my heart,” Ruskin told KDKA. In Ambridge, The Network of Hope, Good Samaritan Church and Rotary Club are all helping to buy laptops for families in need. This article by Pam Surano originally appeared on KDKA. If you want your group to want to include more diversity, make sure it is healthy enough to attract the right person to want to apply, to want to volunteer, or to want to move into your area.
I AM NOT PERFECT -- I have and will mess up again. People who appreciate what I can do take time to speak life into me. They make an effort to help me continue to move forward because they see what I have done and what I am capable of doing. Those who do not really care will be upset because I did not do what THEY thought I should have done. To do the right thing at the right time always is what I hope to be able to do.
Look around at the people you are with most of the time. Are you surrounding yourself with people that want to see you succeed? What kind of energy are these people around you feeding you?
New year means better you. It starts by being intentional with your movements.
How many times do you start and quit. Keep bad habits in 2019. COMMENT below a bad habit that won't make it to your 2020. In 2013, When I first came up with creating a hyperlocal website focused on the communities that my local school district served, I thought for sure it would be welcome with open arms from everyone.
I endured racism, sexism, ageism, and probably a few other isms that I don't know the definition of. I thought to myself what's wrong, I came with quality content and a team of skilled people. 2019 my website and social media pages are still going strong with engagements over 75,000. Lion Club District 14- N PDG Thomas Toland and the Ambridge Lion Club members recognized Coach Felicia Mycyk with the Heart of a Lion Award. The award generally is given to a member unless there is a citizen that embodies the Lions Club motto of “serve with uncommon kindness, putting the needs of our neighbors, our communities, and our world first."
I played when it was just for me and there was a welcoming opportunity! I asked Franco Harris years ago to come to see me play. Also, if possible could he do the coin toss, he agreed, and has been a supporter of women football since that moment almost 15 years ago. Playing football was some of the most favorite seasons of my life. I am so impressed with the young girls and ladies who have moved so far in this sport.
![]() Felicia Mycyk is a Rotary tornado because of her many Rotary activities and leadership. She’s also a coach, mother, entrepreneur, motivational speaker and a devoted community leader. Felicia joined Rotary in 2011. Her Rotary activities include serving as a Club Vice-President, then serving as Ambridge Club President for two years. She has chaired several committees including the Annual Community-Wide Car Cruise and Unity Day. She is now the Public Image/Social Media Chair for District 7300. She’s looking forward to her role as an incoming Assistant District Governor. Felicia loves working with children. She heads up a youth program sponsored by the Ambridge Rotary Club that allows school-age children to have a free weekly activity throughout the summer. She started an EarlyAct Club in her local elementary school for 7 students to experience Rotary as early as Kindergarten. She helped the EarlyAct Club do a successful Shoes for Nicaragua project. What Felicia loves most about Rotary is the ability to connect with people locally, nationally and internationally just by being an active Rotarian. She regrets not having more time to devote to Rotary service. She is a Paul Harris Fellow. Since 2006 Felicia has provided consulting services helping businesses, organizations and communities focus on goals, not tasks, in their pursuit of success. She also does motivational speaking and facilitates a workshop for others to set a plan and move forward with their decisions. Felicia tirelessly works to engage her local community, Ambridge, in a meaningful way by changing its conversation and perception. Through her work in the community, she pulled a team together to create Ambridge Connection, a community resource that promotes civic engagement. She 8 loves to write stories, produce videos, and provide live coverage for local happenings that matter to her community. Felicia is a sports Wonder Woman. She played football for the Pittsburgh Passion as a starting cornerback. She coached competition cheerleading, varsity track, various football camps as well as high school and youth football. She now serves as a football coach for Moon Area School District. She also provides one on one speed and agility coaching focusing on multi-directional speed. A former Girl Scout board member and troop leader, Felicia served on various boards throughout the region including Leaders Serving Beaver County and Laughlin Memorial Library. She was recognized with the “Be the Change” award by the Pennsylvania Governor’s Conference for Women. She was honored for her leadership involvement as a coach at the Black History Achievement Award Banquet. 9 Felicia was recently selected as one of the “40 Under 40” to participate in the Legacy Zone Young Professionals Summit in Cleveland. Felicia spends as much time as possible with her husband, Nathaniel, and their four children. She and Nathaniel first met while in elementary school. She moved out of Ambridge for a while and when she returned, they started dating. As an entrepreneur, a mother of four and wife, Felicia had to figure out how to balance her energy. She loves to share her experiences to help empower and inspire others to move to the next level of their lives. Felicia believes that most great achievements are combined efforts doing daily habits and accomplishments. She loves helping others win by inches with play-by-play victories. She finds this calming and relaxing. What a wonderful role model for all of us to emulate. Another highlight was a special presenter for teens who were in attendance, Felicia Mycyk, a former Pittsburgh Passion quarterback and the regions only African American female football coach. She outlined fear as something one doesn’t know––the unexpected. She said living fearlessly does not mean living recklessly. Mycyk, also a marketing strategist and Moon Area School District track coach, cautioned against the YOLO (you only live once) mentality. She warned young women when faced with the pressures of premature sexual intimacies to stop and think about the decision they are making. “With the YOLO mentality, you may reason to go for it because you may not be here tomorrow, but chances are you will and you may end up pregnant or worse, end up with a disease,” she said. She went on to say that the YOLO thinking is a lie. “Everything you do in your day-to-day life, glorifies God. Do you want to live for today, for instant gratification or live for tomorrow?”
Mycyk says it was determination that got her on the playing field and kept her going while she evolved into the person she is today. She said she decided not to be defeated and not to be like everyone else. “I’m me,” she said, “don’t let fear control you. If you let fear get the best of you, you have not allowed God to work in your life.” Aldrich said she is honored to touch the lives of women and help them move past their fears to reach their full potential. Her motivational program, sponsored by Highmark, The Poise Foundation, McAuley Ministries Foundation and Marriott Pittsburgh City Center, is held annually for primarily female audiences. This article originally appeared in the New Pittsburgh Courier. ![]() (CLEVELAND, OH) – Jennifer Jones, Vice President of Rotary International, is excited to announce the selection of the “40 under 40” to attend the inaugural Young Professionals Summit to be held in conjunction with the Legacy Zone and Rotary Institute in Cleveland, Ohio. Felicia Mycyk, President of the Ambridge Rotary Club, was selected to attend the Legacy Zone Young Professionals Summit to be held September 29 – October 1, 2016. “ It’s a honor to have the opportunity to influence others in a way to make the future brighter for current and incoming Rotarians” shared Mycyk. “To have a voice at the table is one of the best ways to contribute to change and to build community. “ The Legacy Zone Young Professionals Summit will provide a unique opportunity to learn more about young professionals and their perceptions of Rotary, identify the challenges that clubs have attracting young professionals, and develop new ideas and innovative strategies to enrich the experience for young professionals in Rotary. “The individuals selected are committed to Rotary and eager to connect with others who feel the same way,” says Jennifer Jones. She is also one of 17 global directors who oversee the stewardship and governance of Rotary. Jones adds, “these young professionals are the bright future of our organization and they exemplify how Rotarians feels at every age – ready for service to their communities and the world.” The Legacy Zone and Rotary Institute consists of 28 districts with over 60,000 Rotarians in North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, eastern Nebraska, northern Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, northern Ohio, western and central Pennsylvania, upstate New York and a portion of Ontario, Canada. Less than 20% of Rotarians are under the age of 40 in the two zones, where the primary goal is to join leaders, exchange ideas, and take action with the focus on Service Above Self. This article orginally appeared on the Ambridge Rotary website. ![]() Esquire Network's gripping docuseries "Friday Night Tykes" returned Tuesday, March 22, 2016. Along with focusing the lens on the iron-belt towns for the first time, the current season, titled "Steel Country," is also special for featuring the first female coach of the series. Felicia Mycyk, who coaches Ambridge Lil Bridgers, is a former female pro-football player. She used to be the starting defensive back on the Pittsburg Passion, which was the first women's football franchise to be featured on ESPN and Sports Illustrated. "Most times when people first see me, they don't realise that I am a football coach. They think that I am a teen mom or a cheer-leading coach," Mycyk revealed in an exclusive clip. However, that is definitely about to change for the inspiring coach, who grew up breathing the game with four competitive brothers. With "Steel Country," Mycyk will show the world why she is a respected coach in her own right. This season, especially, is scared for any coach to prove their worth, considering football is not just a pastime in Western Pennsylvania. This is the birthplace of many NFL greats like Joe Montana, Joe Namath, Mike Ditka, Darrelle Revis, Tony Dorsett and Johnny Unitas. Around these areas, football is a tradition and a birthright. The young boys of these areas are pressured not only by their families and their coaches, but also by their entire communities. This story by Mangala Dilip originally appeared in the IB Times. |