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On this episode, we're confronting a crisis that has become a defining tragedy of our time: the fentanyl epidemic. While this deadly synthetic opioid is claiming lives across the entire country, its impact has been especially devastating right here in our own backyard, the Bay Area. 

From the streets of San Francisco to the suburbs of the East Bay, this powerful and often secretly-laced drug is tearing families apart and overwhelming communities. It's a crisis that has evolved rapidly, driven by cheap, illicitly manufactured fentanyl that is up to 100 times more potent than morphine. 

In this episode, we'll explore this further and how the Bay Area became an epicenter for this public health emergency and what's being done to fight back. 🎙️

Kelly Bowers is out guest.

Dr. Kelly Bowers
President & CEO, Three Valleys Community Foundation 

Dr. Kelly Bowers leads Three Valleys Community Foundation (3VCF), a place-based philanthropic organization serving California’s Tri-Valley and greater East Bay region. As President and CEO, she oversees a growing portfolio of local grantmaking, directing millions of dollars annually to nonprofit organizations addressing urgent community priorities—ranging from mental health and opioid crisis mitigation to educational equity, environmental resilience, health access, and the preservation of local journalism. 

A lifelong educator and former Superintendent of the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District, Dr. Bowers brings more than three decades of public service experience and a passion for engaging a diverse constituency in community-driven solutions. She has been honored with awards such as the California Education Champions Award and the CSU East Bay Distinguished Alumna Award for her commitment to driving and implementing meaningful, measurable change. She is a proud UC Berkeley alumna and holds a doctorate in educational leadership focused on building trust and transparency in complex systems. 

At 3VCF, Dr. Bowers champions collaborative partnerships, uplifts community voice in funding decisions, and advances innovative approaches to nonprofit grantmaking that reflect the foundation’s core mission: connecting local resources with local needs. 

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Carol and Jen welcome this episode's guest Dani Sumner, host of the popular podcast "A Holy Mess", to share about her journey through addiction. 

Dani is a Spiritual Director and Life Transformation Coach that has 15 years of sobriety under her belt and shares her wisdom and wit on this episode. Sit back and enjoy.

To find out more about Dani or listen to her podcast click on the link. https://www.danisumner.com/

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Carol and Jen talk with Yvonne Garcia in the episode of Diary of an Overcomer. Yvonne was at Shepherd's Gate in 2013. From 23 years old to 49 years old Yvonne lived addicted to drugs, many of those years living on the streets and enduring horrific traumas.

She has just celebrated 12 YEARS being clean and sober and her story is inspiring! 

To find out more about Shepherd's Gate go to www.shepherdsgate.org.

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On this episode of Diary of an Overcomer Carol and Jen welcome guest Kai Evans who is a graduate of Shepherd's Gate as well as a past employee.

Kai shares about her childhood filled with sexual abuse and assault, poverty and homelessness and how she survived to go onto college and into the corporate world where she was introduced to drugs.

She shares openly about her addiction and how she came to Shepherd's Gate and how God moved in mighty ways in her life.

You won't want to miss this one!

www.shepherdsgate.org 

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Carol and Jen welcome Angela to the podcast in this episode. Angela was a graduate of Shepherd's Gate 20 years ago and has done some amazing things with her life since. Listen in you are sure to be encouraged! www.shepherdsgate.org

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In this episode Carol and Jen talk about the last 40 years of Shepherd's Gate, what it started out as, and what the ministry has become. They also discuss the changing trends in addiction and homelessness. The conversation is interesting and informative, take a listen!

If you are suffering from addiction, homelessness, domestic violence or a victim of sex trafficking go to www.ShepherdsGate.org to find out more about Shepherd's Gate and our program and resources.

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Carol and Jen are excited to welcome Angela Vidal, the future Director of Shepherd's Gate Brentwood! Angela's story is inspiring and her personality is contagious as she shares about how she came to work at Shepherd's Gate and how she feels about being the youngest Director in Shepherd's Gate's 40 year history. 

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This is a break from our regularly scheduled programming, as our host Jen Harp, shares her heart about people experiencing homelessness and gives her very simple ways to help one person at a time. 

If you have any questions or comments please email Jen at [email protected]. 

To find out more about Shepherd's Gate go to www.shepherdsgate.org.

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In this episode, Carol and Jen welcome past Shepherd's Gate employee Jasmine Swearigen. Jasmine shares about her walk through addiction and her inspiring overcomer's story.

To find out more about Shepherd's Gate go to our website at www.shepherdsgate.org.

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In this episode Jen and Carol welcome Sara Stoebe as their guest on the podcast. Sara has an amazing story of overcoming domestic violence and addiction, she came to Shepherd's Gate when the ministry was in the original home and Alice Ann, the founder, was still working there!

Sara's transparency about her struggle with alcohol is so inspiring and how God has brought her out of that addiction to celebrate 25 years of sobriety!! Sara has the added history of working at Shepherd's Gate and she also shares about her work with Celebrate Recovery. Take a moment to listen and be encouraged!

To find out more information about Shepherd's Gate go to www.shepherdsgate.org.