My name is Bianca, and I am the founder of the Community Resiliency Foundation. This is our story.
I remember walking across the campus of Brigham Young University between classes, filled with joy. The opportunity to learn, explore new ideas, and discover different perspectives was exhilarating—almost intoxicating in the best possible way. Every day brought new connections, thoughtful discussions, and opportunities to learn from brilliant professors and fellow students.
One of the most influential moments of my college experience happened on an ordinary day in class. When I walked into the classroom, there was a rough chalk drawing on the board: a cliff with a barrier at the top and an ambulance waiting at the bottom.
The professor explained that there are generally two types of nonprofit organizations. Some focus on preventing problems before they happen, while others provide aid after a crisis has occurred.
I remember thinking two things:
“I’m going to love this class.”
And then,
“How will I ever choose?”
Not long after, I met Derek.
He came to my dormitory to finalize plans for a trip home with my roommate for Homecoming weekend. She invited me to come along but made one condition: I was not allowed to fall in love with Derek.
I don’t remember whether I fell in love with Derek first or with his hometown of Alamo, Nevada, but I fell in love with both that weekend.
Alamo was beautiful, especially in the fall. It seemed as though the entire town attended the Homecoming dance. One of my favorite memories is looking across the room and seeing a group of grandmothers smiling and pointing at Derek and me as we danced. Somehow, their approval made me feel like the belle of the ball—even among the Homecoming royalty.
It felt like home.
A few years later, we held our wedding reception in the local church. As we left to begin our life together, I told Derek how much I hated leaving this place that had already become so dear to me. We promised each other that one day we would come back and stay.
It took us nearly twelve years, but we kept that promise.
We have been grateful to call this community home ever since.
Throughout our marriage, Derek has dedicated much of his life to serving others. For many years, he worked with youth through the Scouting program, helping young people develop leadership, character, and life skills. In 2018, he received the Silver Beaver Award, one of the highest recognitions for distinguished service in the Boy Scouts of America.
Over time, his service expanded into emergency response and public safety. He helped establish the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Deputy Program and currently serves as Fire Chief of the Pahranagat Valley Volunteer Fire District, Co-Chair of the Lincoln County Emergency Planning Committee, and Deputy Commander of Lincoln County Search and Rescue.
While Derek was serving on the rescue side of the mountain, I was quietly preparing to serve on the barrier side.
For more than two decades, I have had the privilege of being a homeschooling mother to our four amazing children. Motherhood has been one of the greatest joys and blessings of my life. Along the way, I have learned valuable lessons about families, children, communities, and what people need in order to thrive.
My degree from Brigham Young University in Youth Leadership and Recreation Management, with a minor in Sociology, provided a strong foundation. But much of what shaped my vision came from years of raising a family, serving in communities, and observing what helps people flourish—and what causes them to struggle.
Those experiences eventually brought me back to that classroom illustration of the cliff, the barrier, and the ambulance.
The Community Resiliency Foundation was created to help build more barriers at the top of the cliff.
Our mission is to strengthen individuals, families, and communities through education, support, resources, and civic engagement that foster resilience, self-reliance, and enduring hope.
We believe that strong families, engaged citizens, and lifelong learning help prevent many of the challenges that eventually become emergencies. By working alongside first responders, educators, volunteers, and community leaders, we gain valuable insight into the needs of our community and opportunities to address challenges before they become crises.
Together, we can build stronger families, stronger communities, and a future filled with greater hope and opportunity for generations to come.