Born and raised in Nevada County, Singer went to the University of Colorado after graduating from Nevada Union and did not intend to return. But after traveling through Africa, India, Asia, and beyond during a Semester at Sea, she realized she wanted to help the kids in her hometown, and came home to co-found The Friendship Club, which provides academic, emotional and social support for girls and young women.
Helping Kids Feel Like They Belong
Today, The Friendship Club has evolved into one of the three pillars of Bright Futures for Youth, along with NEO Youth Center and SAFE, serving youth experiencing homelessness. At the heart of it all is a commitment to care and belonging — Singer’s goal has always been to help kids feel like they are part of the community. “I am proud of the way we have done that, involving them in community service projects, connecting donors and kids at events, teaching these youngsters that people care about them and they can care for others, and creating a safe place where kids feel listened to and supported,” she said.
The multilayered organization has been successful under Singer’s leadership, but like any nonprofit, it does not operate without challenges. “We grew so far and so fast serving hundreds of young people every month, no one imagined what it would look like,” said Singer. “Raising money is the biggest challenge — there’s economic uncertainty among donors and grants are not always available. We have a quality, unique program, terrific staff, a great facility; we are relevant and responsive. We are committed to meeting the needs of children and young adults in our community and communicating why investing in the next generation is important.”
Focused on a Future Where Everyone Thrives
Bright Futures’ mission — to ignite the potential of youth today for vibrant communities tomorrow — mirrors Singer’s broader vision for Nevada County’s future as a place where everyone thrives. Even as she was stewarding the evolution of The Friendship Club into Bright Futures, Singer has been collaborating with other community leaders to guide a similar journey for the larger ecosystem. She helped establish and served as a board member of the Center for Nonprofit Leadership, which early on knew the importance of a Community Foundation. For Singer and other community leaders, the formation of the Disaster Relief Fund in reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic reaffirmed the need for a community foundation. “If [the Community Foundation] had been up and running, we would have been able to get supportive dollars into the community sooner,” she said.
As a board member for the Community Foundation, Singer sees the Community Foundation as a connector, bringing organizations together to solve big problems and providing a wider landscape view of the community. She also points out the important role of a community foundation as a way for new community members to plug in. “The Community Foundation has staff that is knowledgeable about the community and can help inform donors, open doors, leverage resources, make introductions. The Community Foundation is playing a crucial role identifying and addressing both immediate and long-term community needs,” she said.
“We Need Each Other”
Singer understands that young people (and nonprofits) cannot thrive without a healthy, supportive community surrounding them. Nonprofits are one part of an interconnected mosaic that includes the arts, safe, affordable housing, a healthy environment, and quality food systems. “While I am deeply committed to the youth of Nevada County, I am also deeply committed to the community. We need each other.”