The CBO Sector was created to delve into topics relating to community-based organizations (CBOs), urban policy, and urban philanthropy. The blog’s purpose is to focus on the unique environment and nature of CBOs. From their inception, development, structure, leadership, and, lifespan, urban CBOs are sectors unto themselves. This blog emphasizes this point and highlights the work of urban CBOs while providing insights and tips relating to urban community development and social policy.
About Me:
Ruby Maddox
I’ve always been involved in CBOs. I spent many years at the Springfield Boys and Girls club and various other CBO after-school programs.
My background is in higher education, environmental literacy, and nonprofit management.
I enable colleagues,students, and community members connect to their goals around engagement, effective communication, and concept development. I’m also passionate about engaging others to explore their full potential and purpose. I value different approaches to experiential learning at any age. I’m an advocate for community involvement and public service, i.e. volunteering and civic engagement.
When I entered college I became active in my school’s Community-Service Learning program where I taught theater to youth at a local community center. Later I co-founded Gardening the Community (GtC), a youth urban agriculture program. In 2010 I traveled to Ghana to volunteer with urban farmers in Accra and examine the relationship between the local government and urban growers. I went on to receive my B.A. from the University of Massachusetts in Public Policy and Urban Communities and completed my Masters degree in Nonprofit Management and Philanthropy at
Bay Path College. Since then a large part of my focus has been on community engagement, social justice, experiential learning.
I’m addicted to Gorgonzola, NPR, and Netflix. I’m a Game of Thrones fanatic and completely enamored with Risk podcast (go listen, it’ll change your life). My sister is my best friend and Sean Paul dominates my workout playlist.
Honors & Awards
Startingbloc Fellow – Boston, 2014
BusinessWest 40 under 40, Community Leader Recognition Award, 2014
Rotary Club of Springfield, Paul Harris Service Award, 2012
National Winner of the Real Food Challenge Award, 2011
Springfield Food Policy Council, Community Investment Award, 2011
Leadership Pioneer Valley Fellow 2011-2012
Community Engagement Panel, Co-panelist with Governor Deval Patrick, 2009
Center for Whole Communities Fellowship Recipient, 2009
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