For Evansville

If you're a parent, grandparent, caretaker or involved with kids in any way, you know Evansville has a child care problem. And the problem is multi-dimensional - lack of child care workers, high prices, high turnover rates, etc. It seems like a reoccurring theme at this point. Almost every guest we have points to early childhood development as the starting point of many issues in our community. So in this episode, we sit down with Aleisha Sheridan, the President and CEO of Building Blocks to talk about the accessibility, affordability and quality of early childhood care. Why is it so important, what are the barriers our city faces, and what can we do about it?

Show Notes:

Related Episodes:
S1 Ep5: Helping Kids Succeed Whatever It Takes

We like to say Evansville is an ecosystem of neighbors. When people struggle, our whole city struggles. In this episode we look at the two systems of Affordable Housing and Education. Beth Folz, the Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity and Sheila Huff, the Director of Strategic Engagement at EVSC discuss how unstable housing affects education and how education affects the perception of the housing crisis. In short, we all need to be more educated and empathetic when it comes to these complex issues. 

Show Notes:

“We want to make a bunch of money and give a bunch of money away.”

In this episode, we are joined by the CEO Ben Schmidt, and HR Director Ryan Nunn of CrossPoint Polymer Technologies. They share their heart for valuing every person that works for their company, regardless of their role, position, or background through open communication and mutual respect.

But they don’t stop there. They ask their employees what kind of impact they want to have in their community, not just their job, and discovered there was a common denominator amongst their employees to support Evansville’s kids. This inspired them to reach out to local schools, develop trust and partnerships to meet tangible needs to help students and teachers to be successful.

Show notes:

Watch our short film, Fragile Strength, about the importance of school partnerships

Questions or comments for Ben, Ryan or our team? We'd love to talk. 

"I believe we can change Evansville one relationship at a time." 

It's Black History Month, and Evansville is celebrating with a Unity Concert on February 19. We're kicking off Season 3 with an interview with the Unity Concert choir director, James Hamler, and Renew Christian Church's Music and Technology Pastor, Ryan Stapleton. 

In this episode, we talk about Gospel music as an art form, it's history, and how it was a part of history and culture in America. And James and Ryan discuss the importance of unity not only racially, but across denominations and generations. 

Unity Concert Details:

African American History Museum 

Show notes:

Support the Podcast! forevansville.org/podcastpartner

Spectrum Dynamic Exhibit: https://emuseum.org/changing-exhibitions/2022-spectrum-dynamic

Optimal Rhythms: https://optimalrhythms.org/

Questions or comments for Karen, Casey or our team? Shoot us an email at [email protected]

Phillip Boyd, Senior Case Manager at the Evansville Rescue Mission, is the perfect person for the job. Having walked through addiction, and continuing long-term recovery, he truly understands the men coming through the doors seeking addiction. In this episode, he shares his story of addiction, recovery, and the people, programs, and collaboration it takes to help people struggling with addiction, mental wellness and homelessness.

Phillip’s time with us was extremely enlightening and we know you’ll be inspired by him and the organizations he collaborates with to make Evansville a city where everyone can flourish.

Show notes:

Support the Podcast! forevansville.org/podcastpartner

State of E Report forevansville.org/stateofe

Questions or comments for Phillip or our team? Shoot us an email at [email protected]

Did you know Evansville has the number one Kindermusik program in the United States and the second best program in the world? In this episode we sit down with Jeremy Seger, Kindermusik Educator and Board of Directors Chair of The Isaiah 1:17 Project [an initiative to support Foster families] to talk about the importance of connection for children, and how that sets a course towards emotionally healthy adults.

Foster Care is a big issue for our region, and 50% of foster parents quit within the first year if they don’t have wrap around care. Jeremy gives practical and easy examples of how we as a community of individuals and businesses can provide support for Foster families.

Questions or comments about this episode? We'd love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected]

Show Notes

Join the work around Foster Care

Our State of E Report is here! In this episode, we sit down with John Benton, the Director of Cradle to Career Continuum at Dream Center Evansville and a lover of all things stats and data. It's because of his hard work compiling all the data for us that the report exists. Together, we discuss the overarching themes, what stood out to us, and honestly, what made us cry.

Over the next few months, we'll deep dive into each area of opportunity.

Download the full State of E Report and the poster, visit forevansville.org/stateofe

John Benton, director of Cradle-to-Career Continuum at Dream Center shares a story of a tenant and how she views herself and her family based on her circumstances.  What if you judged your neighbors' circumstances in such a way where you were valuing and dignifying all persons?

For Evansville's next Imagine Evansville event is September 15, 2022 you can get tickets at forevansville.org/imagine

We'll be back to our regular podcast episodes next week, with John Benton again discussing our State of E report. You can download the 2022 State of E at forevansville.org/stateofe

"If the school system is healthy and thriving and flourishing, the city will be the same."  Roseyn Hood is the Chief Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Officer for the Evansville School Corporation, and Joann Hunter is the Co-Leader of And How are the Children Evansville.  Together, they sit down with Jonathan to discuss equity among all students in Evansville, and how the community needs the schools to thrive, and how the schools need the community to thrive.

For Evansville's next Imagine Evansville event is September 15, 2022 you can get tickets at forevansville.org/imagine

We'll be back to our regular podcast episodes in soon to talk about our city's needs and dreams highlighted in our upcoming State of E Report, which you can find at forevansville.org/stateofe.