Get creative….Develop a plan to help others without seeking recognition. We can all do something large or small.
As part of my series about “individuals and organizations making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Nick Silverio.
Nick Silverio, grew up in Miami and was married 32 years to his soul mate.
He begin his career in successfully creating a IT) Software and Services Company “Nick E. Silverio & Associates, Inc.” in the early 80’s.
After the death of his wife Gloria caused by a speeding driver, he found a new purpose in life and established The Gloria M. Silverio Foundation 501©3-A Safe Haven for Newborns which has grown nationally.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
A Safe Haven for Newborns, the Gloria M. Silverio Foundation, 501©3 a non-profit organization was born out of my heartache after losing my beloved wife Gloria of 32 years in a car accident caused by a speeding driver. I wanted to do something that would honor her life. Although we did not have children of our own; previously suffering from two miscarriages, with one taking place on a Christmas Eve, I knew I wanted to do something that involved children; as were Godparents to 14 children.
One night, unable to sleep and flipping mindlessly through a magazine, I suddenly stopped — compelled to read the article in front of me. The article was about a worldwide escalating crisis…Newborns were being abandoned by their birth mothers in unsafe places often not surviving. I now knew how I would honor Gloria’s life; and in 2001 I created The Gloria M. Silverio Foundation with the mission to save infants and help pregnant girls & women in their time of need/crisis..
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company or organization?
Two things happened that helped launch our program and message throughout the state of Florida.
1. Gov. Bush presented us the Thousand Points of Light at the Capital in Tallahassee recognizing statewide the need and purpose of our program.
2. “Partnering” with the Florida Fire/EMS service to place our signage with our helpline number and information at every staffed 24/7 Station.
Can you describe how you or your organization is making a significant social impact?
We believed from the beginning if we saved only one life all of our efforts would be worthwhile and that was 391 precious lives ago. These children will have children and so on. With hoes to maybe to grow up to be President of the United States, a Supreme Court Justice or just a great mom or dad to their own children.
Our program reaches out to the youth; girls and women all alone with no support, no resources providing all of these options through a number of partnered resources.
To date 391 precious newborns have been saved from the ultimate in infant abuse, abandonment, all now with their forever adoptive families and over 6,000 women assisted.
Can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
I received a call on a Saturday morning on our 24/7 multilingual helpline- The caller asked if I was Nick Silverio, I replied yes. The caller then said her name was Carol Gloria, which the name was given to our very first baby saved 22 years ago. I wasn’t sure who this caller really was so I asked her to tell me what she knew. She shared a few details that were not public knowledge. So, I asked her how old she was.. She replied 22 years old and gave her date of birth….Yes, she was the first life saved. We both got emotional and agreed to meet. I invited the Firefighter to the meeting who received her at a fire station and gave her the name Carol for the name of the city and Gloria for the Glory of God. She was on the honor roll and was enrolling in pre-med school.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve? –
us get our community service program into the schools systems.
-Get behind our state approved License plate.
-More media awareness statewide regarding A Safe Haven for Newborns.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
I define leadership as: Being a visionary thinker, building relationships, being a change maker, motivate others, take responsibility for outcomes.
My leadership style built a successful It company with long time committed employees and clients.
Also, without any prior experience or knowledge how to create and run a non-profit organization …22 years later we have many long time committed volunteers (ambassadors), donors, statewide collaborations, numerous news interviews-stories, “partnerships” statewide with hospitals and Fire/EMS, proclamations, and have become a model nationwide in addressing the issues of infant abandonment, all resulting in: saving 391 lives (381 in Florida, 9 in other states and one little one in the country of Honduras), assisting over 6,000 women, assisting 6 moms to regain their parental rights, 72 moms chose direct option of their choice with a “team” of over 300 volunteers.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why?
I am going to rephrase the question. What are the “5 things someone (mentor) told me when I first started.
1 . Have a mission statement
2 . Stay focused and committed
3 . Think outside of the box-“Be different”
4 . Provide excellent client services
5 . Manage your Finances
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
Get creative….Develop a plan to help others without seeking recognition. We can all do something large or small.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
Mark Twain Quote “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.”
I found out why….. Nick Silverio
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
Freddie Figgers…. He was a ‘dumpster baby’, abandoned by his birth mom. He is now an Inventor, Telecom Company Founder, Software Engineer, Entrepreneur. IG @ freddiefiggers
How can our readers further follow your work online?
IG @asafehavenfornewborns
FB @asafehavenfornewborns
TW @haven4newborns
LinkedIn: Nick Silverio
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
Social Impact Heroes: Why & How Nick Silverio Is Helping To Change Our World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.