RitaAnita Linger, CEO of SERA, Inc.

With great expectations.
-RitaAnita Linger, CEO of SERA, Inc.

Zip code matters. 

It takes a village to raise a child, and the commitment of our communities is essential to our ability to survive, thrive, and find joy.  This lesson was made abundantly clear to me while I was researching this post and trying to access viable services for myself.

Shaun-Teka Joyner

Raleigh, NC is one of the most optimistic cities in the United States because RitaAnita Linger, CEO of SERA, Inc. (Southeast Raleigh Assembly), is deeply committed to serving and empowering her community.  She and SERA were recently granted a $10,000 Bridging the Gap Award (BGA) from the Perlman Foundation.  Bravo!

The Southeast Raleigh Assembly (SERA) is dedicated to building capacity in its community by helping individuals develop the confidence and life skills necessary to successfully overcome challenges, with an emphasis on areas of knowledge that contribute directly to an improved quality of life.

SERA’s antibullying program

Ms. Linger and her staff work diligently to emPOWER and transform the Southeast Raleigh and greater Raleigh communities through strategic action.  Ms. Linger signs her e-mail messages “with great expectations” or “with gratitude.”  It is a very elegant way of conveying her faith in the community as well as her appreciation for the commitment she receives from community members and leaders. 

Dance in the Park

Together, they have implemented many paradigm-setting initiatives like Dance in the Park which promoted physical fitness long before anyone had heard of Zumba.  They have enhanced residents’ economic savvy and are on a quest to prevent school bullying.  They are developing a broad array of emPOWERing initiatives to boost the competence of local residents including an Integrative Health Center which teaches the holistic concept of ”self-care is healthcare.”  SERA, Inc. is also seeking grant funding for pea patch gardens and nutrition classes.