Community Chats

For this installment of Community Chats, we are joined by Sarah McLellan, executive director of the Lafayette County Literacy Council. She discusses the work she and others do for literacy in our community. From children’s book festivals to adult literacy courses, the Literacy Council is working tirelessly to ensure every person in our community is confident in their reading abilities so that they can succeed in every aspect of life. Tune in to learn more about the great work the Literacy Council is doing for people of all ages in our community.

For this installment of Community Chats, we are joined by Forrest Jenkins, president of LOU-Home, Inc. She discusses her passion for affordable housing and community involvement as well as some of the greatest challenges LOU-Home, Inc. is currently facing. Tune in to learn about the needs of our community regarding housing and current projects and developments of LOU-Home, Inc.

Michael Gerberi joins us for this episode of Community Chats to talk about how Habitat for Humanity is helping aid an ever-growing need for affordable housing. He discusses some of the challenges local chapters of Habitat are facing and the greatest rewards that come from the work they do. Tune in to learn more about what Habitat does and how you can get involved and support local projects.

We are joined by Joshua Mannery, Associate Student Body (ASB) President, for this episode as he discusses what it means to govern a student body and how he uses his platform and voice to affect change on campus and in the Oxford-Lafayette County community. Tune in to learn about ASB initiatives such as the Stronger Together Dialogue Series in which student and community leaders discuss ways to make the University of Mississippi campus a more welcoming and inclusive place for all.

In this episode of Community Chats, Zach Scruggs, executive director of 2nd Chance MS, joins us to talk about the support they are giving to adult education. Zach discusses the mission of the organization as well as the challenges, needs, and rewards of working with undereducated and underprivileged adults. Tune in to find out more about what 2nd Chance MS does and how you can help support adult education in our community.

Erin Smith with CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Lafayette County joins us for this week’s Community Chat to discuss the mission, needs, challenges, and rewards of advocating for abused and neglected children in Lafayette County. This episode includes information about CASA’s upcoming events and ways you can get involved and help.

Wayne Andrews, director of the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council (YAC), joins us for this edition of Community Chats. He discusses the importance of culture and the arts in a community and how the YAC supports those creative endeavors in the Oxford-Lafayette community. He also discusses how the YAC has dealt with pandemic restrictions with creative initiatives that support artists and other workers in the community. Listen to learn about the vast array of projects and initiatives supported by the YAC in Oxford and other towns.

In this installment of Community Chats, we are joined by Kurt Brummett, executive director of United Way of Oxford-Lafayette County. Kurt discusses some of the rewards and challenges of running the organization as well as the power of community, especially in Oxford-Lafayette County. Tune in to learn about all the ways United Way is serving and supporting local communities.

For this episode, we are joined by Donna Howard, executive director of Holding Hands Resale Shop. Holding Hands is a consignment shop that employs those who are mentally ill or disabled. Tune in to learn how they are giving underserved community members a comfortable and compassionate place to work.

Stephanie Green joins us for this episode of Community Chats. She talks about the Audubon center's dedication to conserving natural environments and protecting them from the reach of urban development. Tune it to learn how Stephanie and Strawberry Plains are educating the community on ecological stewardship and biodiversity.