In the 3rd of 3 episodes featuring Children & Family Urban Movement (CFUM): Hear how one after-school program transformed the life of Michael Hardat — and why community-centered youth programs matter now more than ever. The conversation explores the importance of representation and access in education, and the urgent need for investment in Des Moines youth. Michael shares personal stories about growing up in the River Bend neighborhood, attending CFUM programming, earning a degree from Iowa State University, and now rebuilding the middle school program that once helped him dream bigger.

Website | https://www.cfum.org/

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/cfum_dsm/

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/cfumdsm

LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/children-&-family-urban-movement/

Give & Grow DSM:

Website | https://giveandgrowdsm.com/

Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/3y0yaF0FC15ATLDkXubjjt?si=dbfc11ea1a604139

LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/give-and-grow-dsm

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/giveandgrowdsm/

YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@giveandgrowdsm

The 2nd of 3 episodes dedicated to Children & Family Urban Movement (CFUM): Host Siobhan Spain speaks with longtime community leader and philanthropist Nicky Schissel. As Board Chair, Reading Buddy and passionate advocate at CFUM, listeners will discover how donor engagement, volunteerism, and community partnerships fuel the mission of Children & Family Urban Movement. Nickey shares her insights on philanthropy, mentorship, and building stronger communities in Des Moines.Website | https://www.cfum.org/Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/cfum_dsm/Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/cfumdsmLinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/children-&-family-urban-movement/Website | https://giveandgrowdsm.com/Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/3y0yaF0FC15ATLDkXubjjt?si=dbfc11ea1a604139LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/give-and-grow-dsmInstagram | https://www.instagram.com/giveandgrowdsm/YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@giveandgrowdsm

The 1st of 3 episodes featuring Children and Family Urban Movement: Give & Grow DSM host Siobhan Spain sits down with Andy Bales, Executive Director of Children and Family Urban Movement(CFUM). With decades of experience serving people facing homelessness—including 20 years leading the Union Rescue Mission on Skid Row—Andy shares why he returned to Des Moines and what he’s learned about dignity, empathy, and community care. From after-school programs and summer camps to daily meals through CFUM’s Breakfast Club and Supper Club, Andy explains how small acts of welcome—like a high five or a hug—can transform a child’s life. He also offers powerful insights into homelessness, public policy, and why Des Moines has a unique opportunity to lead with compassion. This is a conversation about showing up, standing alongside your neighbors, and choosing empathy in a divided world.Website | https://www.cfum.org/Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/cfum_dsm/Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/cfumdsmLinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/children-&-family-urban-movement/Website | https://giveandgrowdsm.com/Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/3y0yaF0FC15ATLDkXubjjt?si=dbfc11ea1a604139LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/give-and-grow-dsmInstagram | https://www.instagram.com/giveandgrowdsm/YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@giveandgrowdsm

In the 3rd of 3 episodes featuring Six Degrees of Separation Give & Grow DSM host Siobhan Spain sits down with Osnel Vilmael—board member, donor, and beneficiary. Osnel shares his journey from growing up in rural Haiti without electricity or water to building a life and career in Des Moines. Learn how this experience fuels his commitment to expanding education access in his hometown of La Biche. You’ll hear how Six Degrees evolved from sponsoring six students into operating a thriving school serving 160 children.

Website | https://www.sixdegreeshaiti.org/

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/sixdegrees_haiti/

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/sixdegreeshaiti

Give & Grow DSM:

Website | https://giveandgrowdsm.com/

Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/3y0yaF0FC15ATLDkXubjjt?si=dbfc11ea1a604139

LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/give-and-grow-dsm

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/giveandgrowdsm/

YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@giveandgrowdsm

When people choose to support a nonprofit, what truly motivates them to give? For Six Degrees of Separation donor Andrea Joseph, the answer is trust, dignity, and meaningful impact. Give & Grow DSM host Siobhan Spain sits down with Joseph to discuss what drew her family to the organization and why its mission resonates so deeply. For more than a decade, Six Degrees of Separation has been working to build a sustainable school system in Labiche, Haiti. The organization was founded in the aftermath of the devastating 2010 earthquake by six women from Des Moines who wanted to create long-term change rather than short-term relief. Today, the nonprofit continues to expand its vision with plans for new classrooms, solar power, internet connectivity, and even campus-based food production.

Website | https://www.sixdegreeshaiti.org/

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/sixdegrees_haiti/

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/sixdegreeshaiti

Give & Grow DSM:

Website | https://giveandgrowdsm.com/

Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/3y0yaF0FC15ATLDkXubjjt?si=dbfc11ea1a604139

LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/give-and-grow-dsm

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/giveandgrowdsm/

YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@giveandgrowdsm

The 1st of 3 episodes featuring Six Degrees of Separation: Give & Grow DSM, host Siobhan Spain sits down with Jane Hemminger, co-founder of Six Degrees of Separation, to share how a failed relief effort after Haiti’s 2010 earthquake turned into a long-term mission to build a sustainable school system in the remote community of La Biche. What began as packaged hygiene supplies that never reached their destination evolved into a deeply rooted partnership model focused on education, community buy-in, and long-term impact. Today, Six Degrees supports nearly 200 students — and recently celebrated its first high school graduates.

Website | https://www.sixdegreeshaiti.org/

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/sixdegrees_haiti/

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/sixdegreeshaiti

Give & Grow DSM:

Website | https://giveandgrowdsm.com/

LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/give-and-grow-dsm

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/giveandgrowdsm/

YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@giveandgrowdsm

The 3rd of 3 episodes featuring Civic Music Association: Host Siobhan Spain speaks with Heather Nail, a passionate music educator and former Civic Music Association board member. Heather shared her journey with music and how Civic Music has enriched Des Moines for 100 years by making world-class performances accessible to all. Learn about the organization’s educational outreach, master classes with renowned artists, and the lasting impact on students and the community. Heather emphasized the importance of building both performers and audiences, and how Civic Music fosters lifelong connections to music, creativity, and community in Central Iowa.

The 2nd of 3 episodes featuring the nonprofit Civic Music Association (CMA): Host Siobhan Spain sits down with longtime Civic Music Association donor and community leader Susan Voss to explore what has sustained CMA for a century—and what will carry it forward. Susan reflects on her lifelong connection to music, her experience co-chairing CMA’s successful $2M capital campaign, and why variety, risk-taking, and education are essential to a vibrant arts ecosystem. As CMA celebrates its 100th anniversary, Susan offers both wisdom and hope for the future of arts philanthropy in Des Moines.

Website | https://civicmusic.org/

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/civicmusic/

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/CivicMusicAssociation

YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/user/CivicMusicAssoc

Check out CMA’s 100th Season Playlist on Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/user/civicmusicassociation

SUPPORT CMA |  https://civicmusic.org/support/personal-giving/

Website | https://giveandgrowdsm.com/

Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/3y0yaF0FC15ATLDkXubjjt?si=dbfc11ea1a604139

LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/give-and-grow-dsm

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/giveandgrowdsm/

YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@giveandgrowdsm

The 1st of 3 episodes featuring Civic Music Association: The nonprofit has been a cornerstone of Des Moines’ cultural life since 1925. In this episode of Give & Grow DSM, host Siobhan Spain sits down with CMA’s Executive Director Ashley Sidon to explore the organization’s rich history, its 100th anniversary season, and the future of world-class music in Central Iowa.Ashley shares her journey from performing and teaching music around the globe to leading one of Iowa’s most historic arts organizations. The conversation highlights CMA’s successful $2 million capital campaign, its impactful education outreach programs, and the ways music continues to connect generations across the community.Website | https://civicmusic.org/Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/civicmusic/Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/CivicMusicAssociationYouTube | https://www.youtube.com/user/CivicMusicAssocCheck out CMA’s 100th Season Playlist on Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/user/civicmusicassociationSUPPORT CMA | https://civicmusic.org/support/personal-giving/Give & Grow DSM:Website | https://giveandgrowdsm.com/Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/3y0yaF0FC15ATLDkXubjjt?si=dbfc11ea1a604139LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/give-and-grow-dsmInstagram | https://www.instagram.com/giveandgrowdsm/YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@giveandgrowdsm

The 3rd of 3 episodes featuring Change Course: In this episode of the Give & Grow DSM podcast, host Siobhan Spain speaks with Pita Martinez, a graduate of Change Course, which is a free workforce development nonprofit in Des Moines. Pita shares her journey from addiction, domestic abuse, and homelessness to sobriety, job stability, and a career helping others. We are so grateful for Pita's courage to tell her story.

Website | https://change-course.org/

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/changecourseiowa/

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/changecourseiowa

YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@changecourseiowa

LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/changecourseiowa

Donate at https://change-course.org/general-pages/donate/

Give & Grow DSM:

Website | https://giveandgrowdsm.com/

LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/give-and-grow-dsm

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/giveandgrowdsm/

YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@giveandgrowdsm