Have you ever considered how income may affect a person’s ability to purchase environmentally friendly and energy efficient solutions for their home? Today, Ali and J’Kalein visit with Ashley Craft, program director for University of Northern Iowa's Green Iowa AmeriCorps program. Tune in to learn about their important environmental work in our community and across the state. Thanks for listening to episode six of Season Two: Building Community!

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Hosts: Ali Parrish and J'Kalein Madison | Guest: Ashley Craft | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound

Today, Ali and J’Kalein welcome the Executive Director of the Northeast Iowa Food Bank, Barb Prather to discuss closing the meal gap in our community, food insecurity, and how we partner. Thanks for tuning in to episode five of Season Two: Building Community!

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Hosts: Ali Parrish and J'Kalein Madison | Guest: Barb Prather | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound

Today, Ali and J’Kalein welcome the Community Relations Manager of John Deere Waterloo, Mindy Schmidt, to discuss corporate social responsibility and our ever-growing partnership with John Deere. Thanks for tuning in to episode four of Season Two: Building Community!

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Hosts: Ali Parrish and J'Kalein Madison | Guest: Mindy Schmidt | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound

Today Ali and J'Kalein chat with longtime supporter and past Iowa Heartland Board President, David Deeds as he shares his passion for urban design, historic preservation, and how he builds community through various local partnerships and projects! Thanks for tuning in to episode three of Season Two: Building Community!

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Hosts: Ali Parrish and J'Kalein Madison | Guest: David Deeds | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound

Volunteerism not only allows Iowa Heartland to continue serving our mission, but it also uplifts the entire Cedar Valley! Ali and J’Kalein are excited to welcome Lauren Finke, executive director of the Volunteer Center of the Cedar Valley & Ron Jensen, longterm Iowa Heartland supporter and regular volunteer. Lauren and Ron share their perspective on volunteerism and why they choose to partner with Iowa Heartland in our second episode of Season Two: Building Community!

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Hosts: Ali Parrish and J'Kalein Madison | Guests: Lauren Finke & Ron Jensen | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound

Season 2 is here!! This season, entitled Building Community, is focused on highlighting our essential community partnerships that allow us to serve in a greater capacity. Ali and J'Kalein are kicking off the season with House of Hope Development Coordinator, Dusky Steele. Their discussion covers the incredible work House of Hope is doing to empower homeless women in our community as well as our duel-organization program, Framing Hope. 

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Hosts: Ali Parrish and J'Kalein Madison | Guest: Dusky Steele | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound

SEASON ONE FINALE: On this season of Bringing Down the House, we’ve talked about how families qualify for our affordable homeownership program and the joys and growth our families have experienced.. but what goes on between being accepted into our program and receiving the keys to their home? Today, on the season one finale of Bringing Down the House, Ali chats with Iowa Heartland’s Construction Manager, Heath Christensen and Senior Site Supervisor, John Poon about all things construction! 

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Hosts: Ali Parrish & Norah Schlax | Guests: Heath Christensen & John Poon | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound

Ali and J'Kalein visit with Iowa Heartland Habitat Board Secretary and local housing expert, LeKeisha Veasley, to explore the ways homeownership contributes to a family's ability to build wealth and the ways housing policies have contributed to wealth gaps in our community over the years. 

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Hosts: Ali Parrish and J'Kalein Madison | Guest: LeKeisha Veasley | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound

Ali and J'Kalein visit with long time Iowa Heartland Habitat supporter, Wayne Green, to explore an often unknown and overlooked part of Habitat's mission; our international homebuilding and global partnerships. Heartwarming and inspirational stories are shared about Iowa Heartland's 6.5 year partnership with Habitat for Humanity El Salvador.

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Hosts: Ali Parrish and J'Kalein Madison | Guest: Wayne Green | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound

Habitat for Humanity ReStores are unique and exciting discount home improvement stores.. But did you know that they are a great source of sustainable funding for Habitat's mission in communities all across the country? This episode, Ali and J'Kalein welcome Iowa Heartland Habitat's ReStore Manager, Jeff Finke, to talk all things ReStore!

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Hosts: Ali Parrish and J'Kalein Madison | Guest: Jeff Finke | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound