Dare and Achieve
When Aeron Novotny, a United States Navy Veteran, had his initial call with his American Corporate Partner point of contact, he already had a goal in mind that he held close to his heart. He wanted to establish a Non-Profit Organization. The mission? To end hunger for Virginians by building communities rooted in self-sufficiency and mutual support. The idea was to encourage individuals in and around his community to grow their own food to share, alleviating food insecurity.
Seemingly, Novotny knew exactly what he wanted his next steps to be post-military. Helping to make that dream a reality is where Audrey Lodato contributed her support through mentorship. With her background in the Non-Profit sector, working as Senior Director of Regional Programs at Best Friends Animal Society, Lodato knew firsthand the importance of giving back to the community.
Lodato quickly remembered:
“How big a lift it is to get a Non-Profit off the ground.”
“making a new friend and going on the journey together”
But working with someone so passionate about the mission and “making a new friend and going on the journey together” made it all worth it. Working with Novotny, Lodato recalled his steadfastness, “He directed his own mentorship, knew exactly what he wanted to accomplish, and was getting guidance on how to get it done.”
Reflecting on the past nine months working with Lodato, Novotny spoke proudly about all the things they have been able to accomplish together:
“Getting a board together, securing seed funding, and most recently launching the first community garden at a church with the news covering it.” He continued, “I wouldn’t have been able to do a quarter of this without her guidance.”
Thinking back to when she received the email about the news of the press release for the first community garden, Lodato recalled, “I was in a van full of people when I got the news, and I immediately told all of them about it and about the mentorship” because as she puts it, “When Aeron wins, I win.”
As of today, Lodato and Novotny are still actively participating in the mentorship program and are continuing to work diligently to spread the word about Community Farmers. To his fellow Veterans considering creating their own small business or Non-Profit Organization, Novotny imparted, “Just go for it, there is nothing you can lose, and everything to gain.” Discussing the ACP mentorship program, he continued, “Set up a meeting at the very least to see what the program could help!” He is looking forward to continuing to grow his friendship with Lodato, long past the formal year-long mentorship.
Ready to have someone cheer on your wins as if they were their own? Join ACP’s thriving community of 42,000+ Veteran and Military Spouse Alumni and apply for your free year- long one-on-one mentorship today.
