When the COVID-19 pandemic hit Chicago's Little Village neighborhood, infection rates soared and thousands of people suddenly struggled to put food on the table. But young people from the neighborhood began showing up. What started as a small church pantry quickly grew into a massive community effort to feed families across the southwest side of Chicago.

In this episode, Ken Alvarado of New Life Centers shares the story of how decades of quiet community work, combined with the courage and leadership of young people during the pandemic, helped create something lasting.

Are you longing for a space in community to imagine a healed future and strengthen your leadership? Auburn Theological Seminary invites you to the Heal the World Summit 2026, June 22–26 at Zephyr Point in Lake Tahoe. If you are a religious, faith, or emerging leader passionate about building community, bridging divides, pursuing justice, and healing the world, this is for you! Join us for five days of faithful and inspiring programming. Tiered registration rates, scholarships, and more information can be found at auburnseminary.org/heal-the-world-summit.

In this Episode: Pan de Vida Earns 2023 Chicago Neighborhood Development Award Tackling the challenge of food security in Chicago

Producer, Writer, Host: Roslyn Hernández Sound Engineer: Nasim Bowlus Storyteller: Ken Alvarado

A Chasing Justice Podcast Network Production

This podcast season was made possible by the Storytellers Collective, a program of Christians for Social Action.

The theme song for this season is We Got Us. It was produced in collaboration with Common Hymnal and the Storyteller's Collective.

Social links: https://chasingjustice.com || Instagram: @chasingjustice_ || LinkedIn: Chasing Justice

We have an active Patreon community where you can access more resources. Support Chasing Justice || Patreon: patreon.com/ChasingJustice || PayPal: paypal.me/ChasingJustice || Donate: chasingjustice.com/donate

In this episode, Jessica shares the story of her stepfather's decision to self-deport and how that choice reshaped her family's understanding of home, safety, and belonging. What began as fear and uncertainty became a deeper reckoning with how immigration policies impacts generational families and communities.

Welcome to our season titled, We Got Us: Stories of Faith, Justice and Collective Hope. This season is an immersive journey that invites you to witness how neighbors and local leaders are answering a powerful question. How do we acknowledge brokenness and challenge oppression to cultivate and preserve communities so everyone can flourish? Together we'll explore how neighbors are confronting injustice, cultivating resilience, and creating communities of collective flourishing. This is what it looks like when we say: We Got Us.

Are you longing for a space in community to imagine a healed future and strengthen your leadership? Auburn Theological Seminary invites you to the Heal the World Summit 2026, June 22–26 at Zephyr Point in Lake Tahoe. If you are a religious, faith, or emerging leader passionate about building community, bridging divides, pursuing justice, and healing the world, this is for you! Join us for five days of faithful and inspiring programming. Tiered registration rates, scholarships, and more information can be found at auburnseminary.org/heal-the-world-summit.

Producer, Writer, Host: Roslyn Hernández Sound Engineer: Nasim Bowlus Storytellers: Jessica, Elena, and Ari

A Chasing Justice Podcast Network Production

This podcast season was made possible by the Storytellers Collective, a program of Christians for Social Action.

The theme song for this season is We Got Us. It was produced in collaboration with Common Hymnal and the Storyteller's Collective. Social links Instagram: @chasingjustice_

We have an active Patreon community where you can access more resources. Support Chasing Justice || Patreon: patreon.com/ChasingJustice || PayPal: paypal.me/ChasingJustice || Donate: chasingjustice.com/donate

As a medical student, Flo believed policy was the path to fixing the deep inequities she saw in the healthcare system. But God called her into serving like Jesus, through proximity and relationships. In this episode, Dr. Flo shares her journey in medical service and advocacy tracing how her understanding of care transformed as she served the people most affected by the system's failures. This is a story about the importance and effects of policy, but also about presence. About how real change begins not with legislation, but with listening. Welcome to our season titled, We Got Us: Stories of Faith, Justice and Collective Hope. This season is an immersive journey that invites you to witness how neighbors and local leaders are answering a powerful question. How do we acknowledge brokenness and challenge oppression to cultivate and preserve communities so everyone can flourish? Together we'll explore how neighbors are confronting injustice, cultivating resilience, and creating communities of collective flourishing. This is what it looks like when we say: We Got Us. In this episode: Lawndale Christian Health Center LCHC 30th Anniversary How does the Big Beautiful Bill affect Medicare? How Trump's "big beautiful bill" could impact your Medicaid coverage The Big Beautiful Bill's impact on Medicaid Lawndale Christian Health Center: Farm on Ogden Producer, Writer, Host: Roslyn Hernández Video and Sound Engineer: Nasim Bowlus Storyteller: Florence Hsiao A Chasing Justice Podcast Network Production This podcast season was made possible by the Storytellers Collective, a program of Christians for Social Action. The theme song for this season is We Got Us. It was produced in collaboration with Common Hymnal. Social links https://chasingjustice.com/ Instagram: @chasingjustice_ We have an active Patreon community where you can access more resources. Support Chasing Justice || Patreon: patreon.com/ChasingJustice || PayPal: paypal.me/ChasingJustice || Donate: chasingjustice.com/donate

In the North Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago, violence isn't just a headline, it can be a daily risk. But at the Firehouse Community Arts Center, Pastor Phil Jackson and his team are interrupting violence through creativity, youth-mentorship, and a loving and active presence on the block. In this episode we dive into Pastor Phil's decades-long mission to reach youth and young adults labeled as "violent." We explore how The Firehouse Community Arts Center is transforming lives and the community through programs like: violence interruption, art education, and work force development. And we get insights into what is at stake in communities already facing systemic divestment when funding for organizations like The Firehouse falls short. This is a story where hope pushes the envelope, becomes contagious, and restores self-worth and dignity. It's a story with the kind of hope that spreads into neighborhoods and sparks change. This season is titled, We Got Us: Stories of Faith, Justice and Collective Hope. It invites you into neighborhoods where hope is cultivated day-by-day. Together we'll explore how neighbors are confronting injustice, cultivating resilience, and creating communities where everyone can flourish. This is what it looks like when we say: We Got Us. In this episode: The Firehouse Community Arts Center North Park Partners with Firehouse Community Arts Center in Violence Reduction Study The Firehouse Community Arts Center: Leveraging the Arts and a Hyperlocal Approach Producer, Writer, Host: Roslyn Hernández Video and Sound Engineer: Nasim Bowlus Storyteller: Pastor Phil Jackson A Chasing Justice Podcast Network Production This podcast season was made possible by Storytellers Collective, a program of Christians for Social Action. The theme song for this season is We Got Us. It was produced in collaboration with Common Hymnal. Social links: Chasing Justice Instagram: @chasingjustice_ We have an active Patreon community where you can access more resources. Support Chasing Justice || Patreon: patreon.com/ChasingJustice || PayPal: paypal.me/ChasingJustice || Donate: chasingjustice.com/donate

When Jamal was 13, he was shot on his way to school. Four years later, he was in prison. This is the story of how violence, survival, and faith intertwined to shape a new kind of transformative hope.

In this episode, Roslyn Hernández and Jamal take us inside his journey from incarceration to transformation. We hear how Jamal found hope inside prison, how neighbors and advocates fought for his release, and how he now mentors young people at The Firehouse Community Center for the Arts, in Lawndale, to break the cycles of violence that once trapped him. It's a story of injustice, but also of gospel hope, the kind that's lived, not just preached. It's a reminder that even when systems fail us, community can be the place where restoration begins. This season is an immersive journey that invites you to witness how neighbors and local leaders are answering a powerful question. How do we acknowledge brokenness and challenge oppression to cultivate and preserve communities so everyone can flourish? In the episode Jamal Bakr SRA Graduation Speech, June 2022 Rev Alicia Reese & Jamal Bakr - Saving All of Me State of Illinois Prisoner Review Board 12/19/2024 Jamal Bakr The Firehouse Arts Center of Chicago Producer, Writer, Host: Roslyn Hernández Video and Sound Engineer: Nasim Bowlus Story Teller: Jamal Bakr A Chasing Justice Production Social links https://chasingjustice.com/ Instagram: @chasingjustice_ We have an active Patreon community where you can access more resources. Support Chasing Justice || Patreon: patreon.com/ChasingJustice || PayPal: paypal.me/ChasingJustice || Donate: chasingjustice.com/donate

Mikayla Nembhard and Sandra explore how communal self-care and rest sustain long-term justice work. Sandra shares insights on overcoming burnout, processing emotions and offers practical ways to cultivate resilience. Join us to learn how rest can become an act of resistance and why community support is key to staying engaged in the work of justice.

Sandra Van Opstal is the Executive Director of Chasing Justice. Sandra is a second-gen Latina living on the west side of Chicago. She is an international speaker, author, and activist.

Sandra's initiatives in holistic justice equip communities around the world to practice biblical solidarity and mutuality.

Mikayla Nembhard is a Content Creator at Chasing Justice. She is a television producer and editor of On The Path as seen on Yes TV Canada. And she co-hosts The Brave Girls Podcast for Brave Global, a charity designed to empower and uplift young women and girls everywhere. Mikayla holds a BA in bilingual communications from York University.

We have an active Patreon community where you can access the full video interview and more resources.

Support Chasing Justice || Patreon: patreon.com/ChasingJustice || PayPal: paypal.me/ChasingJustice || Donate: chasingjustice.com/donate

Our podcast producer, Roslyn Hernández sits down with Justin Guaman to explore how Gen Z can engage in social justice and civic advocacy. Justin shares his journey from a justice-impacted youth to an advocate for marginalized communities, offering insights on finding courage through community, starting small, and collaborating for change. Tune in to discover how you can make a difference on campus and beyond, one step at a time.

Justin Guaman is a Queens native of Ecuadorian descent. He has been on staff with InterVarsity for five years. And is currently overseeing two student chapters in NYC. Justin has a degree in Criminal Justice from John Jay College. He's been working with justice-impacted youth at Riker's Island, Harlem, and other NYC communities since 2018. Justin's passion for this work is rooted in his journey as a justice-impacted youth. Since then, Justin has been working and wrestling at the intersection of Faith & Justice.

Roslyn M. Hernández creates resources for the spiritual formation and empowerment of emerging generations through her work as Project Manager at the Fuller Youth Institute and Podcast Producer at Chasing Justice. As a Contributor at Think Christian, her thought-provoking articles and conversations bridge the gap between faith and pop culture. Roslyn is also a Spiritual Director, Public Theologian, and Podcaster providing space for Indigenizing, holy listening, discernment, and healing.

We have an active Patreon community where you can access the full video interview and more resources.

Support Chasing Justice || Patreon: patreon.com/ChasingJustice || PayPal: paypal.me/ChasingJustice || Donate: chasingjustice.com/donate

Chealsia and Katie unpack what mutual aid means and what it can look like in action. Katie shares how mutual aid goes beyond charity by centering relationships, listening, and empowering communities to create their own solutions. Join this conversation and discover how mutual aid can transform how we care for one another!

Katie Nguyen Palomares is Program Manager at Kingdom Capital Network, Sound Engineer at Chasing Justice, and co-host of The Beauty In-Between Podcast. She is passionate about supporting others to make Kingdom impact through their everyday rhythms & community. Off-duty, you'll find her reading, climbing, or enjoying coffee and good conversation.

Chealsia Smedley is a writer, editor, and content manager with Chasing Justice. Chealsia is passionate about storytelling that sparks curiosity and drives compassionate action. She produces and hosts the Created For podcast, supporting BIPOC Christians in walking with Jesus and living out their callings. In her free time, she enjoys dancing the Lindy Hop and other Black vernacular jazz dances.

We have an active Patreon community where you can access the full video interview and more resources.

Support Chasing Justice || Patreon: patreon.com/ChasingJustice || PayPal: paypal.me/ChasingJustice || Donate: chasingjustice.com/donate

Chealsia sits down with Tamir Bell to explore what it means to make a difference beyond the voting booth. Tamir shares his journey, from middle school to bridging gaps in his community, confronting ageism, and staying grounded in faith while advocating for justice. Tune in to hear practical ways to get involved, overcome barriers, and identify your passions to take action for change.

Tamir Bell's passion for public service began with grassroots organizing, connecting communities with resources to drive progress. As a Gen Z Precinct Committee person and as Political Director to State Rep. Maurice West, he has championed innovative solutions across Illinois. Tamir also serves as Chairperson of the Jackson Charter School Board and is a YMCA board member, focusing on family programs and community well-being. He inspires youth to engage locally, reminding them, "We can't change the world, but we can change our small corner of the world."

Chealsia Smedley is a writer, editor, and content manager with Chasing Justice. Chelsea is passionate about storytelling that sparks curiosity and drives compassionate action. She produces and hosts the Created For podcast, supporting BIPOC Christians in walking with Jesus and living out their callings. In her free time, she enjoys dancing the Lindy Hop and other Black vernacular jazz dances.

We have an active Patreon community where you can access the full video interview and more resources.

Support Chasing Justice || Patreon: patreon.com/ChasingJustice || PayPal: paypal.me/ChasingJustice || Donate: chasingjustice.com/donate

Propaganda encourages Gen Z to stay sharp, fact-check, and not get caught up in emotional reactions. Let's dive into the importance of local elections, the traps of single-issue voting, and how to avoid disinformation.

Mentioned in this episode: ballotpedia.org

Propaganda is an artist, author whose music and prose explore themes of divergence and connection. His worldview was shaped by his father, a former Black Panther, and the multicultural Latino LA neighborhood where he gre up. Prop taught high school for six years, and helped found two charter schools in LA. He is a published author and podcast host sharing his insights on politics and culture through Hood Politics with Prop.

Lashunda Lott, a Chicago native, is a deacon at Grace and Peace Church and a graduate of North Park University in Biblical and Theological Studies. She creates content for Chasing Justice and co-leads the "H.E.R" podcast, exploring topics from the perspective of young Black women. Outside of ministry, Lashunda works with her mom at La'Delish Catering. Passionate about outreach, Lashunda builds community through creative methods, sharing God's truth and love.

We have an active Patreon community where you can access the full video interview and more resources.

Support Chasing Justice || Patreon: patreon.com/ChasingJustice || PayPal: paypal.me/ChasingJustice || Donate: chasingjustice.com/donate