normal">
During
her 25 years as an occupational therapist Bev Weinberg noticed “a lot of
untapped talent” in many of the students with disabilities with whom she
worked. Seeing beyond their disabilities, Weinberg was disheartened to see
young people “graduate to the sofa,” instead of furthering their education,
contributing to the economy, or giving back.normal"> normal">
“I saw
a need to bridge that gap,” Weinberg said.normal"> normal">
In
2017, she began planting the seeds of change. By 2019, her full-fledged
nonprofit organization, Integrate for Good was
incorporated and she began serving roughly 3,500 people per year in the
Montgomery, Bucks, Philadelphia, Chester and Delaware counties. Tapping into
her passion for helping individuals who are often recipients of assistance assume
leadership roles, Weinberg, through Integrate for Good, creates volunteer
opportunities for people of all abilities to give back.normal"> normal">
She met
SCORE Bucks County certified mentor Bill Grant at a workshop in December 2019
and began mentoring with him. A few months later, as COVID changed the
fundraising landscape in early 2020, Grant’s insight was integral in helping
Weinberg pivot her organization.normal"> normal">
“We
were a year old when COVID hit,” Weinberg said. “We didn’t have a
brick-and-mortar organization. Everything we do is in the community. COVID shut
all that down. Now how do we do what we do?”normal"> normal">
With
Grant’s help – and connections – Weinberg was able to keep moving forward.
Grant shared his extensive network of nonprofit contacts and business owners
with her and helped transition the fundraising initiatives to a virtual format.
As the only staff person for the organization, Weinberg wears many hats.
Maneuvering through day-to-day tasks on top of last year’s changes stemming
from COVID was made easier with Grant’s help. He made sure to keep her informed
about impending deadlines and new initiatives. normal"> normal">“Our
SCORE mentor Bill Grant really had been instrumental in keeping our head up and
navigating,” she said.
“He was also really good at listening and being a sounding
board.”normal"> normal">
Grant
lauded Weinberg for “organically” creating the nonprofit and continuing to grow
her following through a strong board of directors, events and transitioning as
needed during the pandemic.normal"> normal">
Integrate
for Good has since moved to a hybrid model, blending virtual events with
traditional in-person initiatives, such as the organization’s recent gala.
Integrate for Good also provides team-building events for companies that are
led by people with disabilities. Weinberg collaborates with volunteers, her
board and college interns to keep going.normal"> normal">
The
importance of collaboration was the biggest lesson she learned from her SCORE
mentor.normal"> normal">
“There’s
no way one person would be able to do that without strong community
partnership,” Weinberg said. “We don’t operate in a silo. Take advantage of
resources that are out there.”normal"> normal">
Weinberg
lists SCORE’s free webinars and mentoring at the top of the list for other
nonprofits and entrepreneurs.normal"> normal">
“Surround
yourself with good resources and good mentorship,” she said. “That all comes
from SCORE. It’s like hitting the jackpot.”normal">
Get involved
Integrate for Good welcomes volunteers of all abilities. If
interested in volunteering or donating to the nonprofit, email howcanwehelp@integrateforgood.org or fill
out the contact form on the website.
