Collaborative Solutions Podcast

In this powerful episode of Collaborative Solutions, Nick Casarona, Regional Area Director of Mirror, Inc., speaks about breaking down barriers for the unsheltered population facing substance use disorder. Drawing from his own journey of addiction and recovery, Nick shares how his lived experience fuels his commitment to outreach. He highlights the importance of meeting people where they are and leveraging peers to foster trust, provide continuity of care, and ultimately transform lives. Nick's story is a testament to resilience, compassion, and the transformative power of hope.

In this inspiring episode of "Collaborative Solutions," John Krehbiel shares his journey from being an outsider to becoming a key advocate for homelessness solutions in Lawrence, Kansas. Moved by his son's mental health challenges, John took a leap of faith, ultimately finding a calling in addressing homelessness. His involvement with Justice Matters, Jubilee Cafe, and the Lawrence Community Shelter highlights his dedication to meaningful change. John's realization that love means getting involved in the messiest aspects of life drives his passion for ending homelessness, emphasizing faithfulness over success. His story inspires us all to look beyond ourselves, recognize the shared humanity in others, and take action to build a community where no one is left behind.

In this episode of Collaborative Solutions, hosts Barry Feaker and Misty Bosch-Hastings are joined by Kristen Egan from the Kansas Statewide Homeless Coalition and Cicely Thornton, Homeless Response Team Lead, to explore the vital role data plays in addressing homelessness. The conversation delves into how the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) tracks services, connects agencies, and helps develop data-driven solutions for those experiencing homelessness. By analyzing trends, such as the rise in unsheltered women and the effectiveness of coordinated service delivery, the team highlights the importance of using data to shape community responses. This episode emphasizes how real-time data is being used to drive decisions, improve services, and foster collaboration between agencies, all while working toward the goal of ending chronic homelessness. Listen in to discover how data can be a powerful tool in making homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring.