A Resilient Community Is Built by Resilient People

A Resilient Community Is Built by Resilient People

By Jesse Kauffman

As someone born and raised outside of the Evansville area, I’ve had a unique perspective and opportunity to see what makes our community special, and I can say that the most important part of what makes the Evansville area a great place to do business and raise a family is the people. 

I recently had the pleasure of attending The City-County Observer’s Community Service Awards Luncheon on October 20^th, where I was able to see first-hand many of the great servant leaders in the area receive recognition of their wonderful efforts to improve the community they are part of.

Looking around the room at the attendees and award recipients, it was clear that “E” really is for everyone, as community leaders from a wide range of industries, non-profits, education, and public servant roles were in attendance.  The conversations before, during, and after the luncheon supported the vision of a community working together to solve the problems we all face and to ensure we thrive no matter what challenges lay in store.

The resilience of our community was well represented by the award recipients: State Senator Vaneta Becker, Attorney Charles Berger, a community volunteer with Junior League of Evansville Lisa Vaughn (also Co-Chair of Feed Evansville), City Councilman Alex Burton (also Co-Chair of Feed Evansville), retired Superior Court Judge Rich D’Amour, retired County Treasurer and County Clerk Susan Kirk, and Mayor Lloyd Winnecke.  

Each award recipient displayed the kind of grit, toughness, and willingness to rise to new challenges that have made them leaders in the community.  They each have the kind of community-first attitude required to ensure that everyone around them grows and benefits.  And most importantly, they showed that true progress is only possible when we each challenge each other to be our best, and to hold each other accountable to do what’s best for the community instead of just what is best for us as an individual.

In today’s polarized world, the “City-County Observer “Community Service Awards” event was a refreshing display of how a community of people with different talents, backgrounds, and experiences can work together to bring the vision to life of a more prosperous Evansville and the Tri-State. 

I’m encouraged by the efforts our community is putting towards continuing to improve ourselves, and confident that these examples of leadership and service will continue to serve as role models for each of us in our own journeys to improve our community. 

Three cheers to the management and staff of the City-County Observer for having the vision to sponsor this most worthy community event.  I can see now why people of our community are calling the CCO their “Homegrown and Homeowned’  community newspaper!

Because at the end of the day, resilient communities are built by resilient people.

Footnote:  Jesse Kauffman is the Lead Consultant for Everyday Business Resilience Group, providing Business Continuity and Project Management services to local and global businesses alike.  He and his wife, Josi, strive to make life better for their own family, without spoiling their kids in the process.  It’s quite a balancing act!