Nichole Nichols, services coordinator for our Arrowhead Grove community in San Bernardino, draws on her experiences as a single mother to sculpt services for her residents – a rich program that includes a children’s dance program, a mommy group and services focused on nutrition and health.
“Witnessing other mothers struggling to manage their children and lacking time for themselves prompted me to create something for them,” Nichole said.
“As a single mother, I observed many other single mothers feeling somewhat lost,” Nichole said. “Witnessing other mothers struggling to manage their children and lacking time for themselves prompted me to create something for them.”
Sanda Bowers, Regional Director, spoke with deep admiration about Nichole Nichols, describing her as a “golden star” among service coordinators.
“Nichole is one of the most passionate and dedicated individuals I’ve ever worked with,” Bowers said. “She shows up every day with unwavering passion.”
What sets Nichole apart is not just her professionalism, but her personal connection to the work – having faced and overcome her own challenges, she brings empathy and understanding to those she serves. Her lived experience allows her to truly relate to residents, guiding them through hardship and teaching them how to thrive, just as she has.
“At first, many residents were hesitant to participate in the workshops, as they were primarily designed for adults, and they were reluctant to bring their kids. This led me to start a mommy group. By simply placing the children at the center of the table, mothers could supervise their kids while I talked to the parents about their needs. For many residents, this was the first time anyone had asked them what they required.”
Nichole quickly learned her residents’ wanted services focused on nutrition, physical education, and mental health support.
One of the special initiatives Nichole launched was her Golden Butterflies children’s dance program. Nichole draws on her strong background in dance and a personal understanding of its transformative power, to share the joy of the arts with children from underserved communities.
Nichole said her goal is to give her students a strong grounding in a variety of techniques that will not only spark their interest in dance but also improve their chances for college scholarships. She let them name the group, which has performed at two recent An Evening of Hope galas.
“I want them to hold themselves to high standards and never dim their light and the name Golden Butterflies represents that,” she said.