**Building Community, Impact, and Resilience: The Mission Control Podcast with Glenn Wilson**

The *Mission Control Podcast*—hosted by Paul Schmidt of **UnoDeuce Multimedia**—has become a platform for nonprofit leaders to share how they “make it happen” in their communities. In one particularly inspiring episode, Schmidt sits down with **Glenn Wilson**, founder, president, and CEO of **Communities First Incorporated**, to explore what it takes to transform neighborhoods, build resilience, and spark meaningful change.

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### From Football Dreams to Community Builder

Before he was a nonprofit executive, Glenn Wilson dreamed of playing professional football. His plan was simple: make it to the NFL, then return to his hometown of Flint, Michigan, to help rebuild the neighborhoods he loved. When injuries ended that dream, he pivoted—bringing the same grit and vision to a new playing field.

Through years of experience in healthcare, transportation, and public service, Wilson recognized a deep need for affordable housing and community revitalization. With encouragement from his wife, Essence, he sold his business and committed three years to see what impact he could make. Fifteen years later, **Communities First Incorporated** has grown into a regional powerhouse for social and economic change.

> “I really wonder if I can do something in our community that would have lasting change.” — *Glenn Wilson*

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### Launching in a Recession: Faith and Tenacity

Starting a nonprofit in 2008—at the height of the recession—wasn’t for the faint of heart. As Wilson recalls, “Everybody told me I was crazy.” While others focused on demolition and downsizing, he saw potential in old buildings and struggling neighborhoods. His vision took shape with the **Oak Street Senior Apartments**, one of the first adaptive reuses of a school building for affordable senior housing in the country.

For the first four years, Glenn and Essence ran the organization themselves, doing everything from finance to fieldwork. Their perseverance paid off—laying the groundwork for what would become one of Michigan’s most respected community development nonprofits.

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### Building on Financial Integrity

Wilson believes that the difference between dreamers and doers often comes down to one word: **accountability**. Early in the organization’s journey, he prioritized fiscal responsibility—hiring a contract CFO and conducting a full audit on just $10,000 in the bank.

“Fiscal responsibility is one of the things that usually keeps nonprofits from excelling,” Wilson says. That decision built trust with funders and opened doors for future growth. Today, Communities First employs over 40 staff members across multiple states.

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### The Power of Storytelling

As both Wilson and Schmidt agree, storytelling is at the heart of effective leadership. For Wilson, it’s about connecting emotionally—sharing not just what the organization does, but *why* it matters.

“Your best salesperson is you,” Wilson notes. “If you can’t tell people why they should walk alongside you, you need to find someone who can.”

By being transparent about his own experiences—like losing a home to a fire—Wilson has helped others see the human side of the housing crisis. Storytelling, he says, turns empathy into action and recruits allies who believe in the mission.

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### Flint’s True Story: Resilience Over Ruin

Flint has faced its share of challenges—from the decline of GM to the water crisis and COVID-19—but Wilson refuses to let those hardships define the city.

“You can either be the person to impact your environment or you can let your environment impact you,” he says. “I choose to impact my environment.”

Under his leadership, Communities First has emphasized collaboration—working alongside other nonprofits, civic leaders, and residents to foster resilience and renewal.

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### Entrepreneurial Spirit in a Nonprofit World

Wilson’s business background has shaped his nonprofit philosophy: to be **mission-focused but business-minded**. He teaches that a sustainable nonprofit must operate like a smart business—strategically managing income, expenses, and talent while staying true to its core mission.

“It’s about being mission-focused, but being business-minded as a nonprofit,” he explains. “At the end of the day, it’s still a business.”

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### Communities First’s Three Pillars

Wilson describes Communities First’s work through three interconnected pillars:

1. **Economic Mobility** – Helping families build wealth through financial education and advocacy.
2. **Equitable Real Estate Development** – Creating and managing affordable housing through innovative projects, such as transforming old schools and factories into livable spaces.
3. **Engaged Communities** – Hosting more than 90 community events annually, advocating for policy change, and fostering civic engagement across Michigan and beyond.

With projects spanning Flint, Lansing, Detroit, and even Indiana, Communities First adapts to each community’s unique needs while maintaining its commitment to equity and inclusion.

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### Leading Through Service and Collaboration

Beyond his work at Communities First, Wilson serves on numerous boards—including the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan and the Mass Transportation Authority. For him, board service is about adding value and learning from others.

“You’re supposed to serve on boards because it means something to you, and you feel like you can add value,” he says.

These experiences have deepened his understanding of the intersection between community needs, corporate responsibility, and public policy—further fueling his commitment to collaborative leadership.

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### Lessons for Nonprofit Leaders

Fifteen years into his journey, Wilson offers timeless advice for nonprofit professionals:

1. **Lead with Your Story** – Authenticity inspires action.
2. **Balance Mission and Money** – Sustainability requires both purpose and prudence.
3. **Value Collaboration** – Collective wisdom strengthens communities.
4. **Stay Passionate** – Let the work energize, not exhaust, you.
5. **Invest in Talent and Technology** – Efficiency and skill drive long-term success.

> “We can focus on the good or we can focus on the bad. I choose to impact my environment.” — *Glenn Wilson*

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### Why Glenn’s Approach Matters

Wilson’s journey from aspiring athlete to transformational leader embodies what *Mission Control* is all about—ordinary people doing extraordinary things through purpose-driven work. His blend of vision, storytelling, and disciplined strategy offers a roadmap for nonprofit leaders everywhere.

For anyone looking to start or sustain a mission-driven organization, Glenn’s story is proof that **community impact begins with personal conviction**—and grows through collaboration, resilience, and relentless belief in what’s possible.

To learn more about Communities First Incorporated, visit [communitiesfirstinc.org](https://communitiesfirstinc.org).
Listen to the full conversation on the *Mission Control Podcast*, available on Spotify, YouTube, and all major podcast platforms.

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**“You have something to say. We just got to figure out how to channel that and how to get it out.” — Paul Schmidt**

Together, Wilson and Schmidt remind listeners that progress happens when passion meets purpose—and when people keep showing up to build better communities, one story at a time.

The Mission Control podcast is where nonprofit stories and leadership lessons take center stage. Hosted by **Paul J Schmidt**, each episode offers candid conversations with leaders who are making meaningful change in their communities. In this episode, Paul welcomes his friend Beth Read, founder and executive director of **TWIGS**, a Michigan nonprofit dedicated to easing the daily burdens of families navigating cancer.

Beth’s warmth, humor, and authenticity shine throughout the conversation. Even her loyal dog, Murphy, makes a cameo, reminding listeners that nonprofit work—like life itself—is rarely polished but always real.

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## The Heart Behind TWIGS

TWIGS exists to *lift everyday burdens from cancer patients and their families so they can concentrate on healing and spending time with loved ones.* This mission is both practical and deeply personal for Beth.

The name “TWIGS” carries a story of its own. An acronym for *to work in grateful service,* it was also Beth’s mother’s high school nickname. Beth founded the organization in her mother’s honor—not to mark her illness, but to celebrate her spirit of giving.

Beth’s mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and given a year to live. She fought for nearly three years, which gave her family more time to make memories. Beth’s family had access to support systems that eased their daily lives. But she quickly realized many families in her community had no such help. TWIGS was born out of that awareness: a way to extend support services like rides, housekeeping, yard work, and errands to families who need it most.

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## Starting Small, Growing Steady

Beth’s leap into nonprofit leadership came during the pandemic. Though she had zero nonprofit experience, she brought a strong background in business, real estate, and management. She leaned into her research skills, asked plenty of questions, and surrounded herself with people who knew more than she did.

“Let’s help one person and see what this looks like,” Beth recalls. That philosophy shaped TWIGS’ early growth. By focusing on one family at a time, TWIGS built trust and found its rhythm despite COVID delays and unexpected setbacks.

Collaboration was crucial from day one. Friends, colleagues, and board members like Kate—who brought both personal cancer experience and professional expertise—helped transform Beth’s vision into a functioning nonprofit.

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## Leadership Lessons Along the Way

Beth is the first to admit she learned nonprofit leadership by doing. She drew on past business experience but also adapted to the unique challenges of running a mission-driven organization.

Her leadership style is grounded in empathy and example. “I’ll never ask you to do something I won’t do myself,” she says. In TWIGS’ early days, Beth personally cleaned homes, weeded gardens, and drove patients before inviting volunteers to join.

Key takeaways from her leadership journey include:

* **Lead by example**: Show willingness before asking others.
* **Practice empathy**: Volunteers give their time freely; respect is non-negotiable.
* **Fill your gaps**: Surround yourself with people who bring skills and knowledge you lack.
* **Stay accountable**: Use mentors, coaches, or peers to help manage time and energy.

Beth also highlights the importance of passion. “You have to really believe in your cause,” she says. Without that conviction, burnout comes quickly.

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## The Volunteer Journey

For grassroots nonprofits, building a reliable volunteer base is often the turning point. TWIGS was no exception.

At first, Beth handled nearly every task herself. Gradually, volunteers joined, especially to provide rides to medical appointments—a critical service for cancer patients. Many of these volunteers had personal connections to cancer, which helped build trust with clients.

A local news feature gave TWIGS wider exposure, sparking a wave of new applications, especially from retirees. Today, Beth says volunteers “fight over shifts” to help. She describes them as “amazing humans” and emphasizes her deep gratitude: “I could hug every one of these people.”

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## Challenges and Growth

Like any young nonprofit, TWIGS faced hurdles. Some families were hesitant to accept help. Gaining trust in the community took patience. And fundraising—always an uphill climb—sometimes felt uncomfortable.

Still, TWIGS persevered. Nearly 100 people have been served in just four years, a testament to steady growth and unwavering dedication. For Beth, every donation, every volunteer, and every family supported is a milestone worth celebrating.

Looking ahead, her goals include securing sustainable funding to support paid staff, expanding programming, and ensuring TWIGS can continue meeting the needs of families for years to come.

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## Beyond the Hustle: Finding Balance

Running a nonprofit while juggling family life and a career in real estate leaves little downtime. Yet Beth emphasizes the importance of self-care. Long walks with Murphy, yoga, coffee dates with friends, and fiction reading provide balance and renewal.

“You need someone who’s going to hold you accountable for your time,” she explains, crediting her business coach for helping her stay focused and organized.

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## Collaboration Over Competition

Beth is quick to point out that nonprofits thrive when they work together. TWIGS partners with local foundations and other organizations like Child and Family Services, Helping Women Period, and the Davies Project. For her, there’s no sense of competition. “There’s enough love to go around,” she says.

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## Final Thoughts

Beth Read’s story, shared on the Mission Control podcast with **Paul J Schmidt**, is a testament to what happens when personal passion meets community need. TWIGS proves that even the smallest beginnings—one ride, one yard mowed, one errand run—can grow into lasting impact when fueled by empathy and persistence.

Her journey offers a roadmap for aspiring changemakers: start where you are, lean on your community, and never underestimate the power of small, consistent acts of service.

To learn more about TWIGS, visit **[www.twiginc.org](http://www.twiginc.org)**.