Building A Stomping Ground

Nicia Fullwood and Shannon Riley, the founders of Brooklyn Emerging Leaders Academy (BELA) join me for a conversation about the potential of partnership and the power of sisterhood. BELA is an all-girls charter high school in Brooklyn NY.  At BELA, girls receive more than an education, they find a home. They are challenged by a rigorous curriculum while surrounded and supported by the attention of a community that cares deeply and is committed to both their academic and personal success. In this safe and nurturing space, they are empowered to be their authentic selves and to fulfill their individual promise. Nicia and Shannon are both deeply thoughtful and powerful leaders, they inspire me daily and create a deep sense of community everywhere they go. 

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region is a regionally-operated and locally-funded non-profit organization that serves New York's Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Schenectady counties. They create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. Lisa O'Sullivan joins me on the podcast today to share the power of mentorship and how these relationships can help youth reach their full potential. 

In this episode, I’m joined by Maggie Fronk, the executive director at Wellspring. Wellspring supports survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Saratoga County, offering a comprehensive range of services and support, Maggie has been working in social service organizations for a very long time, and with her extensive experience and profound insights, Maggie brings a wealth of knowledge to our discussion. One of my favorite parts of our conversation was how Maggie illuminates the connections between so many different organizations, she says "We're all working with people." Maggie Fronk is a deeply dedicated and fiercely wise leader who we all have so much to learn from. 

After-school care, homelessness prevention and support, emergency assistance, free summer meals, and so much more! CAPTAIN is a beehive of activity with folks working endlessly to support the Capital Region. Fern Hurley is the Executive Director and an incredibly kind leader. She has tons of experience in non-profit work and is deeply passionate about supporting the community where she is from. As a volunteer-driven organization, CAPTAIN strives to be a recognized leader in finding effective solutions to social issues in the communities they serve. CAPTAIN Community Human Services supports and empowers people of all ages to reach their goals of personal growth and self-sufficiency. They strengthen communities.

The Franklin Community Center has been a steadfast support pillar for the Saratoga community providing a diverse range of services to assist those in need. I'm joined by Abbie Aldrich who shares about their food pantry, afterschool support (Project Lift), holiday assistance, housing support, and so many more ways Franklin Community Center is providing support. Abbie has such a vibrant way in which she cares for her community, she is from Saratoga and works tirelessly to create opportunities and access. We have been partnered with Franklin for the past couple of years and are so grateful to have an organization so close to camp that is deeply committed to our community. 

The Rochester City School District is a public school district that serves approximately 24,900 students in the city of Rochester, New York, which is where Stomping Ground's founders are from! We have been partnering with folks from RCSD since the very beginning of camp and have met so many genuine, kind, and passionate people. In this episode, we’re joined by camp celebrity Allison Klee! This is Klee’s first year working as a social worker in RCSD and she will be helping get some youth to camp this summer. Klee has a superpower in the department of partnerships because she has seen both sides, from managing the relationships as a camp director at Stomping Ground to now getting to send youth to camp from RCSD. This episode feels like a full circle journey, we’re so lucky to be connected with so many amazing folks from Rochester and especially to learn from and continually be inspired by Klee's creativity and kindness.

The Ali Forney Center is one of our newest partnerships, this will be the first summer they send youth to camp. The Ali Forney Center's mission is to support LGBTQ+ homeless youth in New York City. The Ali Forney Center is the largest LGBT community center helping LGBTQ homeless youth in the United States. They both manage and develop transitional housing for their clients as well as offer a massive amount of programs and services to holistically support their community. In this episode, Alex Roque the President and Executive Director shares about their impactful work, how much awareness and education play a role, and dreams about the future of this new and growing partnership. In the short time I’ve known Alex I have already learned so much, he is a dedicated and passionate leader who knows how to create a community filled with joy and care.

George Jackson Academy is New York City's only independent middle school for academically talented boys from families of all incomes. They challenge their boys’ minds, nurture their hearts, and empower them to be leaders and change-makers.  In this episode, Ramon Javier, Head of School, shares heartwarming and powerful stories. Discover how a simple 'good morning' can transform lives, explore the essence of manhood and the power of vulnerability, and learn why fostering a tight-knit community of support and belonging is transformative. 

Why are partnerships integral to Stomping Grounds mission? How did they start and how have they evolved? How do we build reciprocal relationships? What is a partnership mindset and what kind of impact can it have? Join Laura in the first episode of our new season as she unravels the story behind our partnerships – how they began, evolved, and the power of building reciprocal relationships. Explore the partnership mindset and the profound impact it can have. 

This Season of Building a Stomping Ground explores the transformative power of community through conversations with our incredible partner organizations. Join us as we highlight their impact work, learn from dedicated and talented leaders, and delve into why these connections are so meaningful. 

In this episode, we chat with a remarkable Stomping Ground camper, Jujube, who has a gift for inspiring others through her outspokenness and confidence. She shares with us the importance of finding your voice and how Stomping Ground has provided a space for her to be open and authentic. Join us for an engaging conversation on the power of vulnerability, self-expression, and the impact of summer camp on personal growth and development.