MY New Place Podcast

Shawn and Todd from the City of Mankato join us to talk about how the city is improving transportation accessibility—especially for the community we serve.

Heather and Coralyn discuss the importance of our amazing corporate partners in our community that make a difference by volunteering their time at MY Place

Wilbur is the founding Director of Open arts MN who creates and fosters inclusive artistic activities for people with disabilities who are of diverse abilities and ages seeking opportunities to discover their unique creative gifts, develop and practice skills, and share their creations in a supportive, compassionate environment.

Sheila a mom of a volunteer at MY Place and Nate who comes and reads with kids talk about what it's like to have the opportunity to have an impact in their community.

Today's episode of the MY New Place Podcast features long time supporter and founding board member, Ryan McKeown. Ryan and Erin talk about the early days of MY Place and what led Ryan to involvement and support of the organization. Ryan shares why the music program is special to him. Make sure you listen to the very end, Ryan makes an offer that will be hard to refuse for next year's Block Party fundraiser.

Debbie Ogren with the Integrity Group at True Real Estate is a community leader who supports many organizations. She recently shared her personal story at the Greater Mankato Area United Way's Women with Heart Luncheon. She is our guest on the podcast today, talking about where she has been in life, but more importantly, where she is going. Debbie's message of hope and compassion is needed now more than ever.

On this week's MY New Place podcast, we're highlighting the importance of our relationship with the teachers in District 77. Jess Kelly is a 5th Grade teacher at Kennedy Elementary in Mankato. Her relationship with MY Place began during Covid-19 distance learning (we know, we don't like to remember that time either). Erin and Jess are discussing the unique opportunity MY Place had during the pandemic to support kids with distance learning. Jess is sharing her experience as a teacher during that trying time. The pair are also talking about the unique relationship between area teachers and the MY Place organization.

This week on the MY New Place podcast, we're talking to Coralyn Musser. Coralyn is the Vice President of Marketing, Outreach & Engagement at MEI and a volunteer at MY Place.

Coralyn is sharing her story of working with MY Place including helping students prepare for the Science Fair. She also spearheaded efforts with her colleagues at MEI to bring the kids of MY Place new school shoes and backpacks for the year.

The MY New Place podcast returns this week with Darin Woitas the Project Manager with APX Construction Group. APX is the General Contractor for MY Place's renovation and expansion. Tune in to hear about building progress expected completion date and how this project has become near and dear to the project team's heart.

Each year, hundreds of volunteers contribute to the mission of MY Place. You have heard from several of our volunteers here on the MY New Place podcast! Today we're talking to Mary Finseth who has been volunteering at MY Place for over a year. A retired teacher, Mary is one of our van drivers. She's sharing her experience working with the kids of MY Place.