WE Rise: Nikki Post - A Champion for Community

Nikki Post, Director of the Southern Tier Community Center, a division of The Children's Home, shares her insights on her entrepreneurial journey.

Nikki's journey is a testament to her passion for community service. "I have always wanted to do community work," she says. In 2018, she transitioned from higher education to working at the Children's Home. Initially, she served as a Health Homes Care Manager, providing in-home case management services and coordinating care for youth.  

In October 2018, Nikki joined the Raise the Age program, working with juvenile delinquent females and assisting their reintegration into the community.  

Despite her relatively short tenure at the agency, Nikki applied for and was appointed Director of the Southern Tier Community Center in July 2020.  

Nikki's early challenges included gaining trust from the community, staff, and the agency itself. The community center, with its long history, faced skepticism and doubt from some quarters.

"Being that the building came with its own history dating back to the late 1950s and early 60s, I had to find a way to gain trust and also maintain some of the history of the building," she explains. The sudden closure of the building and the need for renovations added to the complexities.  

Nikki attributes her success to a strong support system, including her supervisor, the STCC team, the parent company and close friends. "The parent company, The Children's Home, finance, H.R., Community Donor and Relations, and the President/CEO and the board were encouraging, and gave me such good advice and support," she shares. Her diligence, determination, and self-belief also played a crucial role.  

Under Nikki's leadership, the community center secured over a million dollars in funding in its first year and has been thriving ever since its reopening in January 2023.

Nikki emphasizes the importance of confidence, servant leadership, fiscal responsibility, and collaboration. She also highlights the importance of community and compassionate action.  

Nikki advises her younger self to follow dreams and take chances, emphasizing inner strength and intelligence. "The advice that I would give to my younger self would be to follow your dreams and take chances," she says. "You will never know what will come about. You are stronger than you think and much smarter than you know." She maintains a balance between her business and personal life through exercise, gardening, and spending time with family.    

When facing challenges, Nikki stays motivated by remembering her passion for the community and her desire to make a positive impact. "I have a passion for the community and the people who live in it," she affirms. "I enjoy helping people and seeing change and growth. It's so exciting. I enjoy that I get to make an impact in people's lives and be an inspiration to them. I feel like this is what I was born to do."    

Her advice to those starting a business is to find a trustworthy mentor, be bold and confident, stay innovative, and build a diverse workforce.    

Nikki cultivates a positive mindset through exercise, teamwork, and open communication. "I cultivate a positive mindset by coming up with ways to release negative energy, going for walks, asking others in the office about what their perspective is and also creating a culture that is about teamwork," she explains. "No one goes this alone, saying 'thank you' and giving lots of encouragement." Her daily rituals include exercise, hydration, and connecting with her team and community.    

She draws inspiration from leaders of the Civil Rights movement, admiring their strength, tenacity, and self-control.

Nikki recognizes the impact of community and mentorship on her journey. "The community has impacted my journey because it has opened my eyes to the world around me and it has increased my knowledge and worldview," she reflects. She advises building strong business relationships through active communication, community engagement, and networking.    

She believes entrepreneurs can support each other through mentorship, collaboration, and mutual encouragement. "Entrepreneurs can support each other by being a sounding board when things get hard," she advises. "They can help you to reset yourself especially when you get bogged down in the everyday mundane tasks. They can also help you see things more objectively and be honest with you when you are going in the wrong direction."  

Nikki encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to develop a business plan, seek financial guidance, and network actively. "An actionable step to the audience to move closer to their goals: put together a business plan starting with your mission and vision," she suggests. "Ask yourself, 'what is it that you want to accomplish with your business?' Find a person that knows accounting and budgeting to help set up a budget for your business. If you haven't done this already, be a part of some networking events. That's a great way to connect with people."    

Connect with Nikki and learn more about her work through various channels:

• Social Media: Find the Southern Tier Community Center on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn,

• Website: Explore their offerings at www.thestcc.org.

• Direct Contact: Call Nikki at 607-444-3354, email her at npost@chowc.org, or call or text 607-427-0398.

Nikki's dedication to serving her community is truly inspiring. Her leadership at the Southern Tier Community Center has created a thriving hub that offers a wide range of programs and services to support individuals of all ages.  Her story is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and a commitment to making a positive impact.