Community Building Program Empowers Future Nonprofit Leaders

Secora Chambers ’23, ’24 MBA vividly remembers the moment she realized how much of an impact her internship at The Table & Gallery, a small business involved heavily in the arts community, would have. As an artist and a business major, she found this opportunity was a perfect match for her unique skill set. It was when she hosted her first art show that the full gravity of her experience hit her.

“I was nervous, but Sonal [Soveni], the owner, encouraged me,” she said. “It was a rewarding experience because I was able to see the community that built me come together and share in my success.”

For Secora, this wasn’t just an internship—it was an opportunity to bring her artistic passions to life while developing practical business skills that would set the foundation for her future.

The Helping Hands Nonprofit Leadership Program, now in its third year, is designed to provide students such as Secora with opportunities to intern at local nonprofits and with area small businesses, gaining firsthand experience in leadership roles.

“We make sure students are well-rounded individuals when they step out into the workforce,” explained Anita Sebabi, employer relations manager for the University of New Haven’s Career Development Center (CDC).

The vision for Helping Hands came to life through a partnership between Terry Floyd, vice president and community relations consultant at Wells Fargo, and Marcus Paca, former assistant director of employer relations at the University. Together, they aimed to create a program that would provide real-world experience while fostering leadership in the nonprofit sector.

“My personal passion is to reach out and help people,” Terry shared. “We’re giving students and alumni the opportunity to pair up with nonprofits and develop skills that benefit both the nonprofits and their careers.”

Marcus echoed Terry’s enthusiasm. “I’ve seen the growth and impact that the Helping Hands initiative has had on the University of New Haven and everyone else who’s been involved,” said Paca, who spent nearly four years at the University before joining Nuvance Health as director of workforce and career development. “I’m overcome with joy with the way it’s expanded, and I look forward to the impact it will continue to have on the community.”

This year’s cohort included 16 students, including Secora, who completed her degree over the summer. Each of the participants took part in a professional development workshop focused on core competencies such as leadership, critical thinking, and communication. These skills were then put into practice during their internships.

“At the end, the organization supervisors sent in evaluations,” Anita said. “It warmed my heart to hear the feedback and see the growth in each of the students.”

For Sonal Soveni, the founder of The Table & Gallery, the Helping Hands program provided essential support for her growing business. “For me as a small business owner, it was like a dream come true to have extra hands on deck,” she said.

Secora’s work at The Table & Gallery ranged from managing the business’s Instagram account to developing an employee handbook. Her contributions didn’t just fill immediate needs—they laid the groundwork for long-term success.

“A lot of the work I was doing, I wanted to make sure it would last beyond me,” Secora explained. “I created documents and plans that could be used by the team in the future.”

Sonal praised Secora’s contributions, noting the lasting impact she’s had on the business. “She’s part of the team,” Sonal said. “I’m bringing her on as a consultant to advise other students on what works and doesn’t when it comes to gaining visibility and selling artwork.”

This partnership exemplifies the mutual benefit of the Helping Hands program—students gain experience, while local businesses and nonprofits receive valuable support.

At a recent event celebrating the program’s achievements, Wells Fargo’s Terry Floyd expressed his hopes for Helping Hands moving forward. “I think for the nonprofits and the companies involved, the sky’s the limit,” he said.

“Helping Hands invests in students and small businesses in a way that creates lasting change,” he continued. “We’re going to keep this going.”