Grace in 30

A cancer diagnosis is a daunting thing to face.  Aside from the obvious physical and emotional tolls of the disease, there is a heavy and rising financial cost.  Today's guests are working to alleviate these costs for some of our Arlington neighbors.  Doctors Patricia Rodriguez and Neelima Denduluri work with Virginia Cancer Specialists, the recipient of the Governor's 2016 Volunteerism and Community Service Award for Small Business for their work with cancer patients at the Arlington Free Clinic.  The practice was honored in recognition of the care it has provided for 160 low-income, uninsured patients who most likely would not have received treatment without the compassion of its doctors.

The lack of affordable housing in Northern Virginia is a significant problem, particularly in affluent areas like Ballston and Alexandria.  Today's guests work with AHC (formerly known as the Arlington Housing Corporation), a 40-year-old organization that has developed 50 properties in Virginia and Maryland that provide more than 6,500 affordable homes.  AHC is the oldest and largest developer of affordable housing in Arlington, where 24 of their properties are located.  Realizing that it takes more than bricks and mortar to build successful communities, they also run a Resident Services program that provides a host of life-enriching services to residents of seven of their communities in Virginia, and six in Maryland.  We are joined by Jennifer Endo, the Director of Resident Services at AHC, and Chris Banks, a tutor at one of their community centers in the Arlington area. 

Our children have tremendous potential to change the world if we would only empower them.  Today's guests work with Team Kids, a nonprofit organization founded 15 years ago to do just that by unleashing our kid's horsepower.  We are joined by Jacqueline Schaubach, a junior at Washington & Lee High School who has been serving with Team Kids since operating a lemonade stand over ten years ago to raise money for Haiti earthquake victims; and Julie Hudash, the Team Kids Founder and CEO, who has crafted a number of programs that engage and serve numerous stakeholders in Arlington, VA, Southern California, across our country, and around the world. 

Allyson Reneau started college at the University of Oklahoma back in 1979, but left school after her sophomore year to start a family. Eleven children and over 30 years later, she enrolled in Harvard University and commuted 2,000 miles each way for several years on route to receiving a Master's Degree in International Studies. Aly talks about never giving up on her dream and shares stories of the rewards of pursuing the illogical when you feel called to do so.

Catholic Charities is one of the largest charities in the US with a mission to serve those in need, promote social justice, and call the church and other people of good will to do the same.  There are more than 160 local Catholic Charities agencies nationwide that serve millions of people each year with a broad array of services - without regard to their religious, social, or economic backgrounds.  We are joined by Sally O'Dwyer, Director of Volunteers for the Arlington Diocese, and 20+ year veteran of work as a full-time servant.  Sally talks about what prompted her to begin doing this work; some of the many programs Catholic Charities offers; and some stories about the impact her organization has had.