At Home with HomeAid

This year, HomeAid has been expanding our national team and with that, the position of Chief Impact Officer was created.  We found our perfect candidate with Melissa Nicewarner Daly, and if that name sounds familiar it is because Melissa comes to the national team as the founding Executive Director of HomeAid Austin. 

For those of us lucky enough to have worked with Melissa for several years, we know a few things to be true:  she is engaging, loving, energetic and a gal who knows what she wants!  I thought it would be fun to take a peek into that sharp brain of hers to get some perspective on what she envisions in her new role, learn new things about her and hear her take on how we can all make a difference in ending homelessness regardless of where we are at:

What is your best advice for people looking to make a difference?

I think we're here on Earth for three reasons: to learn as much as we can, love as hard as we can, and leave this place better than we found it. Finding a role, whether it's paid or volunteer, that allows you to check all three boxes while applying your talents is how you can make a significant difference. I try not to focus on too much at once but rather ‘do less better.' In non-profits, it is common for us to take on too much in order to meet the need, but we are most effective when we focus on solving one problem at a time and do so in a way that is innovative and engages the community at large.

How do you measure success and what does that look like?

To me, success is defined by the joy I feel in improving the lives of others. Gratitude and joy stem from a sense of purpose. I feel most successful when I'm connecting people with a cause that resonates with them. That connectivity sparks transformation not only in the lives of our beneficiaries but also in ourselves. Service creates a ripple effect of empathy that inspires more positive change in our communities.

What is your vision for the future of HomeAid?

I feel an immense sense of urgency when it comes to creating a level playing field for marginalized groups, and I want to pay my opportunities and privilege forward. I see HomeAid as a leader in connecting organizations serving people experiencing or at risk of homelessness with resources that will change the way they see themselves and ultimately move their lives forward. I am relentless in my efforts to position HomeAid as a key player in housing our most vulnerable neighbors because I know that avoiding or exiting homelessness is often impossible when done alone. At HomeAid, we have the privilege of maximizing the talents and resources of our supporters to create lasting change.

Which of your personal interests relate to your job?

I am a hospice volunteer, and there is a Ram Dass quote that resonates with me: “We are all just walking each other home.” I’ve quickly realized while spending time with people who are nearing the end of life that death is what gives life meaning. Knowing there is an end to our time here is what urges us to make the most of each moment together. When I am present and focusing on helping others, I am fulfilling my promise to the world. Whether it’s helping my daughters understand their potential or connecting someone living in transitional housing with a full-time position in the building industry, I have the power to open doors for others. I’m grateful I have found work that allows me the opportunity to walk alongside my neighbors and make a difference.

What are your hobbies?

I love the water. I swam competitively in college, and I still occasionally swim on triathlon relay teams. For me, swimming gives me a quiet space where I can push my body to its limits and experience the kind of peace you find when meditating or doing yoga. There is a spot in the San Marcos River where I swim against the current and am able to stay stationary for as long as I have the endurance to do so. When I’m not swimming, I’m usually trail running. I tend to get lost a lot, but I always seem to find my way back home. Nature is my sanctuary and where I reconnect with myself, and going off the beaten path is a way of letting go and disconnecting from everyday life.

What is something that many people might not know about you?

While working at Back on My Feet, I cheered for runners at countless races over the years. I developed a ridiculously loud whistle and clap. As much as I love competing, I also love spectating and cheering on athletes and performers--perhaps that’s because I know the joy of feeling encouraged and supported and want to pay that sensation forward. I recently cheered on my husband and his teammate while they tackled the Texas Water Safari, a 260-mile canoe race from the headwaters of the San Marcos River to Seadrift. For three consecutive days, they could hear me whistling from afar!