Letters from the Lunchroom

Letters from the Lunchroom is a podcast that shows you a new side of Communities In Schools of Mid-America, a non-profit which provides support services for at-risk students. As someone who has worked with non-profits for the past 10 years, Victoria Partridge knows that people who engage with non-profits have a story to tell, and she wants to hear that story. From students to staff members, and alumni to volunteers, Victoria connects with people of all backgrounds to discover the journey they took which brought them to Communities In Schools. Join us in the lunchroom to hear these stories, which are always touching, occasionally heart-breaking, and often surprising.

In this episode, we talk with Paul Carttar, a CIS of Mid-America Board Member and overall amazing person. Paul reflects on his experiences working in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors and the importance of learning from the choices we make, including the ones that result in failure.

Want to be a guest on the show and share your own story? Contact Victoria at [email protected].

Letters from the Lunchroom is a production of Communities In Schools of Mid-America.

Credits: Victoria Partridge (host) | Camille Abdel-Jawad (audio engineer)

Theme song: "Like a Polaroid" by Spazz Cardigan

Transition song: "Game Plan" by Bad Snacks

Letters from the Lunchroom is a podcast that shows you a new side of Communities In Schools of Mid-America, a non-profit which provides support services for at-risk students. As someone who has worked with non-profits for the past 10 years, Victoria Partridge knows that people who engage with non-profits have a story to tell, and she wants to hear that story. From students to staff members, and alumni to volunteers, Victoria connects with people of all backgrounds to discover the journey they took which brought them to Communities In Schools. Join us in the lunchroom to hear these stories, which are always touching, occasionally heart-breaking, and often surprising.

In this episode, we talk with Ras Smith of Waterloo, Iowa. Ras was previously a Site Coordinator for Communities In Schools of Mid-America before transitioning to a consultant role when he took on the responsibilities of Iowa State Representative for House District 62. Ras shares the differences in these two ways of working with CIS of Mid-America, as well as the ways in which is life turned out very different from what he imagined growing up.

Want to be a guest on the show and share your own story? Contact Victoria at [email protected].

Letters from the Lunchroom is a production of Communities In Schools of Mid-America.

Credits: Victoria Partridge (host) | Camille Abdel-Jawad (audio engineer)

Theme song: "Like a Polaroid" by Spazz Cardigan

Transition song: "Game Plan" by Bad Snacks

Letters from the Lunchroom is a podcast that shows you a new side of Communities In Schools of Mid-America, a non-profit which provides support services for at-risk students. As someone who has worked with non-profits for the past 10 years, Victoria Partridge knows that people who engage with non-profits have a story to tell, and she wants to hear that story. From students to staff members, and alumni to volunteers, Victoria connects with people of all backgrounds to discover the journey they took which brought them to Communities In Schools. Join us in the lunchroom to hear these stories, which are always touching, occasionally heart-breaking, and often surprising.

In this episode, we talk with Sarah Stockebrand, Site Coordinator at Chanute High School (Chanute, KS) and CIS student Darci Marshall. Sarah and Darci share insight to their relationship, including the ways in which Darci overcame her barriers to graduate high school and become the first recipient of the Tyler Gerhardt Memorial Scholarship. Tune in for this very special opportunity to gain insight into the relationships our Site Coordinators hold with the students they serve.

Want to be a guest on the show and share your own story? Contact Victoria at [email protected].

Letters from the Lunchroom is a production of Communities In Schools of Mid-America.

Credits: Victoria Partridge (host) | Camille Abdel-Jawad (audio engineer)

Theme song: "Like a Polaroid" by Spazz Cardigan

Transition song: "Game Plan" by Bad Snacks

Letters from the Lunchroom is a podcast that shows you a new side of Communities In Schools of Mid-America, a non-profit which provides support services for at-risk students. As someone who has worked with non-profits for the past 10 years, Victoria Partridge knows that people who engage with non-profits have a story to tell, and she wants to hear that story. From students to staff members, and alumni to volunteers, Victoria connects with people of all backgrounds to discover the journey they took which brought them to Communities In Schools. Join us in the lunchroom to hear these stories, which are always touching, occasionally heart-breaking, and often surprising.

In this episode, we talk with Lashawn Taylor, Communities In Schools of Mid-America's Area Director in Southeast Kansas. Lashawn talks about the evolution of his career with this non-profit, as well as the evolution of his large-scale annual fundraising golf tournament, which went from barely breaking even in year one to bringing in more than $30,000 in year four. He also shares how specific people and events in his childhood taught him how to handle life's hills, valleys, dips, and curves.

Want to be a guest on the show and share your own story? Contact Victoria at [email protected].

Letters from the Lunchroom is a production of Communities In Schools of Mid-America.

Credits: Victoria Partridge (host) | Camille Abdel-Jawad (audio engineer)

Theme song: "Like a Polaroid" by Spazz Cardigan

Transition song: "Game Plan" by Bad Snacks

Letters from the Lunchroom is a podcast that shows you a new side of Communities In Schools of Mid-America, a non-profit which provides support services for at-risk students. As someone who has worked with non-profits for the past 10 years, Victoria Partridge knows that people who engage with non-profits have a story to tell, and she wants to hear that story. From students to staff members, and alumni to volunteers, Victoria connects with people of all backgrounds to discover the journey they took which brought them to Communities In Schools. Join us in the lunchroom to hear these stories, which are always touching, occasionally heart-breaking, and often surprising.

In this episode, we talk with Jim Edwards, who is one of our outstanding volunteers. Jim shares the impact volunteering has had on his life, including some life changing stories of students he has met. In true Jim fashion, he brings his life advice to the Lunchroom and explains how to find your equalizer.

Want to be a guest on the show and share your own story? Contact Victoria at [email protected].

Letters from the Lunchroom is a production of Communities In Schools of Mid-America.

Credits: Victoria Partridge (host) | Camille Abdel-Jawad (audio engineer)

Letters from the Lunchroom is a podcast that shows you a new side of Communities In Schools of Mid-America, a non-profit which provides support services for at-risk students. As someone who has worked with non-profits for the past 10 years, Victoria Partridge knows that people who engage with non-profits have a story to tell, and she wants to hear that story. From students to staff members, and alumni to volunteers, Victoria connects with people of all backgrounds to discover the journey they took which brought them to Communities In Schools. Join us in the lunchroom to hear these stories, which are always touching, occasionally heart-breaking, and often surprising.

In this episode, we talk with Christy Young, CIS of Mid-America Site Coordinator at Alta Vista Charter High School in Kansas City, Missouri. Christy's life was full of adventure before she connected with Communities In Schools, and the students in her school ensure that she knows nothing of boring days. Join us as Christy shares the story of how her travels around the world brought her to the United States and onto the CIS team.

Want to be a guest on the show and share your own story? Contact Victoria at [email protected].

Letters from the Lunchroom is a production of Communities In Schools of Mid-America.

Credits: Victoria Partridge (host). Camille Abdel-Jawad (audio engineer).

Theme song: "Like a Polaroid" by Spazz Cardigan

Transition song: "Game Plan" by Bad Snacks

Letters from the Lunchroom is a podcast that shows you a new side of Communities In Schools of Mid-America, a non-profit which provides support services for at-risk students. As someone who has worked with non-profits for the past 10 years, Victoria Partridge knows that people who engage with non-profits have a story to tell, and she wants to hear that story. From students to staff members, and alumni to volunteers, Victoria connects with people of all backgrounds to discover the journey they took which brought them to Communities In Schools. Join us in the lunchroom to hear these stories, which are always touching, occasionally heart-breaking, and often surprising.

In this episode, we talk with Donna Bussell, Tribal Services Director in Anadarko, Oklahoma. Donna shares with us some of the important aspects of working with a majority native community, as well as the challenges, and why she encourages kids to "become their ancestor's wildest dreams."

Want to be a guest on the show and share your own story? Contact Victoria at [email protected].

Letters from the Lunchroom is a production of Communities In Schools of Mid-America.

Credits: Victoria Partridge (host). Camille Abdel-Jawad (audio engineer).

Theme song: "Like a Polaroid" by Spazz Cardigan

Transition song: "Game Plan" by Bad Snacks

Letters from the Lunchroom is a podcast that shows you a new side of Communities In Schools of Mid-America, a non-profit which provides support services for at-risk students. As someone who has worked with non-profits for the past 10 years, Victoria Partridge knows that people who engage with non-profits have a story to tell, and she wants to hear that story. From students to staff members, and alumni to volunteers, Victoria connects with people of all backgrounds to discover the journey they took which brought them to Communities In Schools. Join us in the lunchroom to hear these stories, which are always touching, occasionally heart-breaking, and often surprising.

In this episode, we talk with Blanca Soto, CIS Site Coordinator at Dodge City High School in Dodge City, KS. Blanca was born and raised in Mexico before moving with her family to Southwest Kansas where she experienced first-hand the obstacles newcomers and the Latino population face. Blanca used those experiences to become an advocate for some of the most at-risk populations. Please join us to hear Blanca's story in this episode of Letters from the Lunchroom.

Want to be a guest on the show and share your own story? Contact Victoria at [email protected].

Letters from the Lunchroom is a production of Communities In Schools of Mid-America.

Credits: Victoria Partridge (host). Camille Abdel-Jawad (audio engineer).

Theme song: "Like a Polaroid" by Spazz Cardigan

Transition song: "Game Plan" by Bad Snacks

Letters from the Lunchroom is a podcast that shows you a new side of Communities In Schools of Mid-America, a non-profit which provides support services for at-risk students. As someone who has worked with non-profits for the past 10 years, Victoria Partridge knows that people who engage with non-profits have a story to tell, and she wants to hear that story. From students to staff members, and alumni to volunteers, Victoria connects with people of all backgrounds to discover the journey they took which brought them to Communities In Schools. Join us in the lunchroom to hear these stories, which are always touching, occasionally heart-breaking, and often surprising.

In this episode, we share the story of Evelyn*, a young girl in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This past Christmas, Evelyn was uneasy receiving gifts when she already had so much and knew there were kids like her who were going without. Tune in to hear Evelyn's Christmas Wish.

*Name has been changed to protect the person's identity.

Want to be a guest on the show and share your own story? Contact Victoria at [email protected].

Letters from the Lunchroom is a production of Communities In Schools of Mid-America.

Credits: Victoria Partridge (host). Camille Abdel-Jawad (audio engineer).

Theme song: "Like a Polaroid" by Spazz Cardigan

Transition song: "Game Plan" by Bad Snacks

Letters from the Lunchroom is a podcast that shows you a new side of Communities In Schools of Mid-America, a non-profit which provides support services for at-risk students. As someone who has worked with non-profits for the past 10 years, Victoria Partridge knows that people who engage with non-profits have a story to tell, and she wants to hear that story. From students to staff members, and alumni to volunteers, Victoria connects with people of all backgrounds to discover the journey they took which brought them to Communities In Schools. Join us in the lunchroom to hear these stories, which are always touching, occasionally heart-breaking, and often surprising.

In this episode, we talk with Jania Wester, Managing Director for CIS of Mid-America in Tulsa, OK. Jania shares her story, which includes immigration, adoption, making a heart wrenching decision and ultimately, becoming a voice for the voiceless.

Want to be a guest on the show and share your own story? Contact Victoria at [email protected].

Letters from the Lunchroom is a production of Communities In Schools of Mid-America.

Credits: Victoria Partridge (host). Camille Abdel-Jawad (audio engineer).

Theme song: "Like a Polaroid" by Spazz Cardigan

Transition song: "Game Plan" by Bad Snacks