While supporting the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Disaster Recovery & Resilience (SBA ODR&R) as a Public Affairs Specialist, I played a key role in planning and executing community-focused outreach initiatives designed to increase awareness, trust, and utilization of disaster recovery resources.
My work centered on meeting people where they already are — geographically, culturally, and economically — by coordinating multi-organization outreach efforts, tailoring engagement strategies for specific populations, and ensuring consistent messaging across in-person events and earned media.
This role required a blend of strategic communications, event planning, media relations, and on-the-ground execution, often in fast-moving, high-impact environments. At the core of this work is a commitment to helping people understand and access the resources available to them, especially during times of uncertainty and recovery.
Community Engagement & Public Outreach
I supported and participated in community engagement efforts to reach underserved and disaster-impacted populations through trusted local spaces and events.
Key contributions included:
- Attending and representing SBA at town halls, community meetings, and public forums
- Engaging residents at high-traffic community events such as farmers’ markets and local resource fairs
- Supporting outreach initiatives tailored to specific groups, including small business owners, nonprofits, and community-based organizations
- Building relationships with local leaders and partner organizations to strengthen long-term outreach efforts
These efforts helped ensure that recovery resources were communicated clearly and accessibly, through channels the community already trusted.
Media Relations & Public Information
I supported media relations efforts to expand the reach of SBA disaster recovery messaging beyond in-person engagement.
This work included:
- Coordinating and participating in local news interviews to explain SBA programs and eligibility
- Supporting earned media outreach to promote upcoming events and ongoing recovery resources
- Helping translate complex federal programs into clear, audience-friendly messaging
- Reinforcing consistent messaging across media appearances and community outreach
The goal was not just visibility but clarity — ensuring people understood which resources were available and how to access them.
Event Planning & Resource Fair Coordination
A major focus of my work involved helping plan and execute industry-specific and community-focused resource events in collaboration with multiple organizations.
Responsibilities included:
- Coordinating with local governments, nonprofits, chambers of commerce, and community partners
- Helping design resource fairs tailored to specific industries or community needs
- Supporting event logistics, messaging, and on-site execution
- Ensuring events were promoted through both community channels and local media
- Aligning event messaging with broader SBA outreach and recovery goals
These events brought together multiple organizations in one space, creating a more efficient and accessible way for communities to connect with recovery resources.