Philanthropy in Phocus

How an almost 100 year old human services organization continues to address the changing needs of those in its community with a social determinant of health and DEIB lens.

We hope listeners will walk away from the episode with a better understanding of Little Flower’s work and feel inspired to be an ally in our mission. By tuning in, they can learn more about our programs and how they can get involved. They will hear more about local services available to them and their loved ones in their communities. Listeners will also learn how they can make a direct impact through events such as our 2nd annual virtual fun-raiser, Fostering Hope on May 12, or donating to support essential programs and services. Most of all, they can gain further insight into the challenges many in our local communities are facing and how they can partner with us to help our neighbors combat those challenges to bring about positive change.

Little Flower transforms caring into action to deliver services, programs, and direction to improve the lives of children in crisis, families, and adults with developmental disabilities.

Corinne Hammons is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York. She is responsible for implementing the strategic vision and mission for Little Flower’s services for children, families, and developmentally disabled adults in New York City and Long Island, including its affiliate St. John’s Residence for Boys. She is responsible for the sustainability, effectiveness, and stewardship of the affiliated organization

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Tommy kicks off the show telling his listeners how he started Philanthropy in Phocus. He talks about the benefits of networking and how it's a way to help each other build relationships in the nonprofit industry. Tommy mentions his other radio show PALS that airs Wednesday at 2 PM on TalkRadio.NYC. He talks about his part in Horseability and the knowledge that he’s learned regarding how horses affect us and the science behind it. Tommy introduces his guest Corinne Hammons, President and Chief Executive Officer of Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York. Corinne shares her humble beginnings in nonprofit service and how she spent over twenty-seven years at Little Flowers. Before the break, Tommy and Corinne discuss the benefits starting at entry level and working your way up the ranks.

Coming back from the break, Tommy and Corinne continue to talk about the impact of nonprofit organizations and how to be a part of their program. Tommy tells Corinne he randomly contacted the Institute for Nonpractice because he wanted to get more involved despite not knowing anyone on the team. He talked to Kevin Cummings of INP and was given an opportunity to do service for their organization. Tommy and Corinne talk about the importance of mentorship and the opportunities that are there for people to get involved. Corrine tells Tommy about Little Flower’s mission and the lives that have changed along the way.

Corinne shares her appreciation for her front line workers at Little Flowers. She applauds their dedication and resilience through the pandemic and their ability to still connect with clients. Tommy and Corinne talk about a priest, Father Quinn, who was concerned about orphans after World War I. They discuss his impact and how his service is still in effect nearly a hundred years later. Corrine segway the conversation to Father Fagan and the work he did for his community. She talks about his vision and how he took orphan children out of the city and gave them a life in the country. Corrine talks about her team and the work they’ve accomplished over the years. She talks proudly of the campus and amenities that are offered to the children in the cottages.

In the last segment, Tommy and Corrine discuss upcoming events for Little Flowers. Corrine mentions their Spring Gala, a family friendly event that is now offered on zoom for anyone who would like to attend virtually on May 12. She also mentions their golf outing that will be held on September 12th. It has been a tradition for nearly twenty-five years and welcomes all. Corrine shares Little Flowers’ vision before the end of the show. To learn more about Little Flowers you can find them on Facebook, Linkedin, and or their website at LittleFlowersNy.org. You can also reach Tommy D on all social media platforms including Tiktok! 

Information on how to improve the quality of life of senior citizens and families in NYS.

María Alvarez is the Executive Director of NY StateWide Senior Action Council and Brooklyn-wide interagency Council on Aging. These organizations strive to improve the quality of life of New Yorkers of all ages through consumer leadership, advocacy, and empowerment.  

Maria has worked with senior citizens and advocacy groups as an organizer, advocate, and director of housing and caregivers programs for over 28 years. She has designed and implemented educational, social service, and leadership programs for older adults.

She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Marquette University and a Master’s Degree in Nonprofit Management from the New School for Social Research where she was a Sloan Fellow.

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Tommy kicks off the show telling his listeners about the impact of nonprofit organizations and the leaders that make it on the show. He also informs people on the application information for Imagine Awards NYC at ImagineAwards.com. You can also contact Tommy at [email protected] He introduces his guest, Maria Alverz, who received her Masters Degree in Nonprofit Organization Management at The New School. Maria is an Executive Director at the StateWide Senior Action Council. She tells the listeners a little bit about her background and how she found herself in senior services. Originally working with underserved adolescents, Maria found an opportunity to work for the Institute of Puerto Rican Hispanic Elderly, a widely known senior service organization in NYC. Tommy and Maria talk about their admiration for the elderly and the life experiences they are able to share in conversations. Before the break, Maria tells Tommy how her organization aims for proactive advocacy that provides services to improve policy concerns.

Tommy asks Maria what is considered a grass-roots organization. Maria explains that though StateWide has been established for 50 years, it’s about being involved in the community and connecting with people. Maria says StateWide was founded due to the high percentage of senior citizens living below the poverty line. She gives a brief history of health care acts and how seniors were affected before its existence. Before Social Security was enacted in 1935, seniors would retire with little to no income or health insurance. Maria shares how her organization strives to empower elderly to advocate for themselves and fight for their rights. She talks about memberships that StateWide offers and the communal conventions that are celebrated annually. StateWide prides themselves on being hands-on in their community and ensures advocacy to all elders who are seeking support.

Coming back from the break, Tommy shares his screen through the live stream on Facebook.com/TalkRadio.NYC. We can see the StateWide website and the number to the hotline they offer at the top of the page. In 1995, Maria was named one of NYS’s delegates to the White House conference on aging. Tommy lists the number of boards that Maria actively participates in. Tommy says it’s about staying current, polishing your craft, and staying involved in order to find your space. Maria breaks down the way StateWide works and how they are able to provide services for their members. Tommy asks Maria how often does StateWide engage with caregivers. Before the break, Maria tells the listeners a little more about StateWide’s memberships and how they encourage people of all ages to get involved.

Final segment, Tommy and Maria discuss the life expectancy of senior citizens. Tommy reads that 16% of NYS is 65 years of age or older. Maria noted that in eight years that number can jump to 25%. They talk about the image of retirement and how it’s changed over time. Maria talks about some seniors who suffer to make ends meet or are caregivers and can’t save for retirement. Maria tells listeners ways to get in contact with her or StateWide at nysenior.org. You can find her on Linkedin at Maria Alverez. Before the end of the show, Tommy and Maria encouraged listeners to get involved and check out this year's annual celebration September 12th-14th in Saratoga Springs, NY.

We will learn how to eradicate exploitation before it starts.

After learning of and encountering the atrocities of human trafficking, several socially-minded creative activists partnered together to start iEmpathize. We came from varied backgrounds with varied skill sets, but each understood that because exploitation is all around us, we all can and should do something to engage it.

Don't miss this episode with a special guest, Mariana Loboguerrero.

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Tommy kicks off the show greeting his audience and setting up the focus for today's episode. He introduces his guest Marina Loboguerror who is an employee at IEmpathize. Tommy shares how he met Marina at his Nonprofit executive leadership round table. Marina tells the audience how she heard about the opportunity and the power of networking. Tommy shares Marina’s extensive background and how she witness the effects of human trafficking in Guatemala. Marina says she’s always been engaged in volunteering and nonprofit work. She was invited to accompany local officers in a raid where she was met with horrific images that are imprinted in mind forever. Before the break, Marina shares how she was given the opportunity to chaperone a filmmaker during a festival where she met the founders of IEmpathize. She talks about the impact that she was able to make while volunteering with them and how their training can save lives and prevent traumatic experiences.

Marina defines the meaning of human trafficking. Tommy plays a clip from the IEmpathize.org website. Marina breaks down the signs to look for from traffickers and how they can spring on their sense of control out of the blue. Marina talks about the different training that IEmpathize offers to various industries to help prevent future cases. She even shares how their training is available for schools to educate children on how to stay protected. Marina tells Tommy the five disguises to look for in a trafficker and how an easily accessible training can prevent and educate our community. Marina explains how IEmpathize training offers different learning tools based on the industry. For example, A hotel training might differ from an office training because of the interactions with their clients.

Tommy shares his screen to show a clip from IEmpathize.org. Marina shares the red flags to look for in a trafficker. She says to look for the five P’s; Pretender, Provider, Protector, Promiser, and Punisher. She explains that someone who engages with you promising to provide a certain lifestyle, while pretending to be your protector out of control and ends up punishing you is a predator. Tommy asks how the training is designed to be digestible for children? Marina says she talks to kids to ensure they have the tools and knowledge to get out of a bad situation. She says IEmpathize offers training in-person for a group setting and online for individual learning. Before the break, Marina shares how businesses can get involved and keep their employees and clients safe.

Marina explains that the key to the training was to make sure it was teachable and digestible for her clients because there is a lot of information to cover. Marina says her team guides companies on what training would best suit their business and why. Marina explains how IEmpathize is made up of a team of six that is grateful for the sponsors that they have. She tells specific stories of clients she's worked with and how she was able to provide training for that business. Marina also talked about the importance of donations and how much that has helped the organization. Before the end of the show, Tommy tells his audience how to find him on social media and where to find more information about human trafficking at IEmpathize.org

As the world finds its way through the global pandemic and enters the post-pandemic landscape, non-profit organizations are strategically positioned to show leadership and direction in solving some of the challenges communities and sectors face. The Sober St. Patrick's Day® community was born at a local celebration in NYC in 2011—created by Irish -Americans fed up with how the feast day of Ireland’s patron saint has been hijacked by the misuse of alcohol and disrespect of the true spirit of the day. We think your audience will relate to this :) 

After two years of pivoting during the global pandemic—producing our own and encouraging other digital, healthy sober celebrations—now in 2022 SSPD’s global reach continues to grow. 

•Starting with Irish emigrants and their descendants in the NYC area

• And now connections with the global Irish Diaspora

• They both share and celebrate an Irish identity and value their links with Ireland and share their time, treasure, and talents in diverse and creative ways.

Sober St. Patrick’s Day® was created by award-winning theater and television producer, WilliamSpencer Reilly, who almost lost a member of his family to addiction in 2004. He first proposed the idea to leaders in the recovery and Irish American communities, a pitch that led, a year later, to the 2012inaugural party. 

The mission of Sober St. Patrick's Day ® is to reclaim the true spirit of St. Patrick's Day by changing the perception and experience from an occasion for binge drinking and another misuse of alcohol to a celebration of the richness of Irish culture and the legacy of St. Patrick.

Name of your organization: Sober St. Patrick's Day® Foundation, Inc.

Website: www.soberstpatricksday.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sober.st.patricks.daynyc

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soberstpatricksday/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/71509054/

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Segment 1

Tommy kicks off the show telling his audience to get involved in our community. He says to do something that supports nonprofit organizations. Tommy talks about the drinking culture around St. Patrick's day and how we’ve created the tradition to binge drink the day away. He introduces his guest Bill Reilly and Tami McLaughtin discuss their mission to change the common misperception of St. Patrick’s Day. Sober St. Patrick’s Day is an organization that gives an alternative celebration for families and individuals who want to celebrate Irish culture. Tommy talks about growing up around bar culture and how it influenced his drinking as a young adult. Bill shares a time he attended the St. Patrick’s Day parade and was taken back by an intoxicated group of young men that wore clothing that celebrated binge drinking.  

Segment 2 

Tommy and his guest discuss how much was lost in Irish culture due to the glorification of binge drinking on St. Patrick’s Day. Bill says Sober St. Patrick’s Day is a way to reclaim the true meaning of Irish culture; kindness, friendliness, and open for all. He shares how proud he is of Irish culture and what they have to offer. He praises the food and music and how the environment welcomes families and individuals of all ages. Bill also reminds the audience that Sober St. Patrick’s Day isn’t to shame anyone, it's a way to remind people what the holiday is truly about. Tami shares how she became a part of the organization. Bill and Tami also add how they are including a 5k run before the NYC St. Patrick’s Day parade as a way to promote healthy habits. 

Segment 3 

Tommy shouts out Mary Ciammetti, founder of CTC Wellness Foundation and Don’t Stall, Just Call. He tells the tragic story of Mary losing her son, Christian to lack of education around binge drinking. Tommy and his guest jump back into the discussion around Sober St. Patrick’s Day. Tommy tells his guests to register at Soberstpatrickday.org to march with Bill, Tami and their members along with special guests that they’ll be providing. Bill informs the audience what they can expect if they register, including a fun celebration. Tami and Bill share how grateful they are for their global audience. They received a grant from the Irish government that solidified their part in reclaiming Irish culture. 

Segment 4

Bill tells Tommy what is in the future for Sober St. Patrick’s Day organization. He shares that their website offers guidelines on how to host personal sober St. Patrick Day celebrations. Bill says that the organization will help newcomers get started with their own celebration and advises them to start small. He says the key is to have people embrace the idea that Irish people offer more than just binge drinking. Bill praises the community for their talents in story-telling, music, and dance. Tommy talks about the importance of partnership with organizations and sponsorship. Tommy asks his audience to sign up for sober St. Patrick’s day newsletter at SoberStPatricksday.org.

Information on how to overcome the loss of things and the hope of how to start all over again.

Renee Vanheel started Every Swipe Benefits Charity in 2014. After losing her home in the 2007 San Diego wildfires, she started an organization called Fired Up Sisters to help the victims and their families.

Renee applied for a grant to help fund Fired Up Sisters and won. One of her dear friends working for another nonprofit lost her job due to not receiving that grant. Renee knew a new way of fundraising was desperately needed.ESB Charity was born.

Renee continues to put herself second when people are in need. When the time to herself appears, she is stimulating her mind by piecing to get her puzzles or taking a break from life by vacationing in different parts of California.

Andi Vanheel has always had an indescribable passion for nonprofits and helping others. From numerous mission trips with her church and school to working with World Vision and Compassion International, she gained the experience needed to run ESB Charity.

Before moving to California for this position, Andi traveled the world with an organization Youth With A Mission(YWAM) where she witnessed what long-term help and relationship building looks like. Andi also created a successful health and wellness company.

When Andi isn’t working hard at helping others achieve their dreams of changing the world, she spends quality time with her wonderful husband Cade VanHeel usually going hiking, or random adventures at the beach, or camping and road-tripping all over the U.S.

Website: www.esbcharity.org 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/esbcharity

Instagram: www.instagram.com/esbcharity

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/esbcharity

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Segment 1

Tommy begins the episode by introducing his guest Andi and Renee from California, and Renee begins introducing the beginning of her organization. Renee begins to talk about how she loves a challenge, and how she loves and wants to bring people together; Renee begins to share her beautiful story which began with a fire that struck her home in San Diego, California. She began an organization called Fired Up Sisters which originally acted as a support group, but soon turned into a non profit organization because of the fire that had hit San Diego. There were so many people that had lost their homes who were not fully insured just like Renee; this fire also took place during a recession so Renee really did act like a superhero to help other women as well as business in the area.

Information about HIV stigma and how to break it.

Sarina DiBianca, started 26 years ago in the midst of the AIDS pandemic to help with the mind, body, and spiritual wellness of those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. 

She is now an Executive Director with passion and support for those living with HIV/AIDS. She made the jump from corporate to non-profit 10 years ago. "I let my heart lead the way, not my head."

Org: Siloam Wellness Center 

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The help, hope, and healing for people during times of grief, loss, and tragedy through healing art, education, and counseling/support services.

Org: About org: Hearts of Hope helps people with trauma and loss and hope so they can heal and grow. Our vision is a sustainable environment of caring, compassion, and hope. 

About Judith Pedersen: I have the very best job in the world because I get to marry my two passions of serving those who have experienced trauma, tragedy, and loss with the overwhelming power of art. 

Specialties: Postgraduate work includes certification and appointment by the Association for Death Education and Counseling.

Website: www.ourheartsofhope.org 

Facebook: OurHeartsofHope

Instagram: heartsofhope

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judithpedersen/

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In the world's most carceral state (the US), what is often overlooked is the human cost of locking away people for their crimes, big and small. 

The most failed group behind bars is our country's youth. 

At Avenues for Justice, we expose the injustice of locking up youth and highlight the human potential that can be captured by providing a second chance to a young person that is caught up in the justice system. 

Angel has been doing this work for over 40 years and was one of the first to actively try to solve the problem with Avenues for Justice.

Launched in 1979, Avenues for Justice (then known as the Andrew Glover Youth Program) was one of the first alternatives to incarceration (ATI) programs for youth in the US and remains one of the few to have continuous Latinx leadership. 

Avenues for Justice was instrumental in fighting for youth to be separated from adults in the justice system. Through our 40+years, we have maintained among the highest success rates in the country - 95% of our participants do not commit a crime during a post-graduation three-year tracking period.

Avenues for Justice currently serves 300+ ATI court-involved, at-risk, and re-entry youth and young adults per year at our centers in Harlem and the Lower East Side, and at our Manhattan Criminal Courthouse offices.

For over four decades, Angel Rodriguez has served as AFJ's Executive Director, working with youth in the community in which he grew up, went to school, and still lives today. 

Part youth worker, part organizational leader, Angel has direct and daily involvement with clients, supervising the most sensitive advocacy procedures and carrying a heavy caseload. A known and respected figure both in the courtroom and on the streets of the Lower East Side, Angel's work continues around the clock as he moves through the neighborhood. 

Under Angel's leadership, AFJ has been the recipient of many awards including the New York State Bar Association's Public Service Award, Manufacturers Hanover'sCommunity Development Award, and the Exxon Corporation Community Service Award. 

For his personal dedication to AFJ, Angel received an honorary law degree from the CUNY Law School atQueens College and in 1994, Angel was selected as one of three outstanding community activists inNew York City to receive the Robin Hood Foundation's Hero Award in 1996.

Organization: Avenues for Justice

Website: avenuesforjustice.org

Facebook: facebook.com/avenuesforjustice

Instagram: instagram.com/avenuesforjustice

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avenuesforjustice/

Organization: Avenues for Justice

Website: avenuesforjustice.org

Facebook: facebook.com/avenuesforjustice

Instagram: instagram.com/avenuesforjustice

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avenuesforjustice/

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Ways on how they help people in need, through serving them

Cliff Baker proudly served our country as a Sonar Technician on the fast frigate, USS W. S. Sims (FF-1059) in the United States Navy. After experiencing the world and returning to the area, Cliff quickly developed a niche for the many aspects of the foodservice industry with Singer Equipment Company. 

With a strong customer service drive, Cliff has built valued relationships with restaurants and suppliers throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania. In June of 2010, Cliff's lifelong passion for basketball grew from a pick-up (when they searched to find a tenth player for a 5 v 5 game) to one of the largest leagues that are now 300 players strong, The Baker League. 

The Baker League continues to develop into a fabulous community asset on and off the court. On the court men, women, and children gather for exciting games and development clinics. Off the court, the Baker League works with various Ocean County community groups and charities to help in their growth and development. When Cliff isn't in a restaurant or on the court, he resides in Toms River and enjoys time with his wife, Terrie, his children, family, and friends.

Website: https://www.aneedwefeed.org/ 

Instagram: ANeedWeFeed

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aneedwefeed/

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Segment 1

Tommy loves non-profit organizations and helping people tell their stories; today he talks to Cliff Baker, who served in the United State Navy, about his organization, The Baker League. Cliff and Tommy open up the show by talking about how competitive they are, and how much they love playing any games whether it be board games or active games. After a long chat about Pickleball and board games, Tommy starts to talk to Cliff about why he joined the Navy, which turned out to be a funny story where Cliff and four of his friends went to a Navy recruiter and all signed up together. 

Segment 2 

After the first break, Cliff and Tommy dive into Cliff’s experience from the six years he spent serving our country. Cliff was sent to San Diego for his basic training, where he says they were all installed with fear immediately. His first motto he learned from his very first breakfast was react, adapt, overcome from his first funny breakfast story. Cliff describes himself as someone who is always laughing, but he learned really fast that he could not serve his time at bootcamp with his smile always on his face. Cliff was eventually assigned the position where he was in charge of getting everyone up and ready for the day, after he got himself ready, and if someone did not follow these rules, it was Cliff who would be punished. Cliff’s biggest takeaway from serving in the Navy is the mental capacity you have to have as well as the mental capacity you take away.

Segment 3 

Cliff talks about how The Baker league had an awesome opportunity to serve first responders and the military members who were helping them rebuild Ocean County after a tragic tornado. Two confused service members walk into a restaurant Cliff was working at, and this turned out to be the service members who were in Ocean County to rebuild the tornado damage. This turned into Cliff feeding, out of his own house, a Thanksgiving meal to the 350 first responders that were helping Ocean County after their tornado disaster. After this incredible feeding a friend reached out to Cliff about the first responders in a different area that he wanted to feed. A local restaurant owner overhears the story, and offers them her restaurant to prep, make, and feed these first responders. That following Christmas they delivered 650 meals, and that is how they started, A Need We Feed. 

Segment 4

A Need We Feed had to change a little bit of their organization due to covid which caused them to shut down. Cliff did not let this stop him, and he began raising money to give meals to those in need. This is when A Need We Feed went from a small $30,000 budget to raising over $400,000 from his fundraising. At the beginning of 2021, New Jersey put out a grant for a non-profit organization who purchased 25,000 meals in 2020 and bought meals from restaurants who stayed open during Covid, and this is exactly what Cliff’s organization was doing. A Need We Feed received the grant, and received through 2021 $460,000 as well as the additional money they raised. From the beginning of Covid through today, A Need We Feed has raised over $1 million to feed those in need. Cliff Baker and his organization, A Need We Feed, has done incredible work and is such a light in his community. In 2022, Cliff’s main goal is to feed the active service members and their families who are struggling to find food. Cliff strives to continue growing his organization, and A Need We Feed isn’t done growing.

Ways on how you can receive support if you are or have been a victim of domestic violence

Jennifer Capezza has a diverse background beginning in live theatre production and special events. Transitioning from this to receiving her Master's of Public Administration from LIU Post to enter into the Non-Profit field to focus on special events in the fundraising departments. Along the way she founded and built All CAPZ Consulting. A social media marketing, management, and training firm dedicated to empowering you to take control of your digital footprint. While she enjoyed this work, especially working alongside others mall businesses and helping them to build their digital platform and grow their customer base, it was missing something. She missed the excitement of building and launching special events and the satisfaction of working towards the greater good. Joining the team at LIADV brings her career full circle and applies all her experience, both on the ground and online to achieve successful fundraising campaigns. 

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Segment 1

Tommy opens up today’s show talking about how important the non-profit field is and it’s impact for the community. Tommy’s guest today is Jennifer Capezza, who has a background in live theater production and special events. She transitioned from this to working on her Master’s Degree in Public Administration to enter into the Nonprofit field to focus on special events in fundraising departments. Currently, Jenn is part of the team at LIADV, applying her experience to help achieve successful fundraising campaigns. LIADV is a nonprofit organization that helps with prevention, support and healing for abuse victims in the Long Island area. Jenn gets right into some info about their hotline that someone can call when they need help. People who have experienced domestic violence in need of counseling, legal assistance, or even shelter can call the LIADV 24 hour hotline 631-666-8833. 

Segment 2 

As a teenager and into adulthood, Jenn always worked in live theater production and special events. She has always been very passionate. Jenn would work as a stage manager and production manager. Although Jenn was able to participate in events such as the Tribeca FIlm Festival, she felt even more excited putting together special events that dealt with nonprofits because of her contribution and its impact. Jenn has worked with LIADV for 10 years as a volunteer and has been with them full time for about 4 years now. Going from theater to nonprofit and doing incredible work for her community, Tommy comments that even if you don’t know where you are currently or where you are going in your life and career, your journey will take you places you never thought you’d be in.

Segment 3 

Coming back from the break, Tommy recalls being in school and how they had a play to raise money for disability awareness month. This was a time when certain topics were almost taboo. Jenn says that LIADV was the first domestic violence organization in Long Island when it first started. It started off as a hotline number which now can translate to over 100 languages. Unfortunately domestic violence affects more women than illnesses do. Jenn also makes a point that domestic violence can happen to anyone, men and women. Jenn and LIADV are always there to make sure everyone feels safe. Jenn talks about the complication that happens when leaving a relationship; it’s not as easy as just leaving for reasons such as abusers in relationships having power over their victim. Jenn explains that abuse doesn’t always mean that it’s physical as it can also be emotional and mental abuse.   

Segment 4

Coming back from the final break, Jenn talks about services available through LIADV. They offer a shelter house that can bring in 16-17 people to stay, including children who are fleeing their homes to escape domestic violence and have no other options. People are allowed to stay at the shelters as long as they need to. The organization also offers a variety of assistance and training in financial literacy education as well as help with resume writing, interview prep, courtroom advocacy, and legal assistance. Jenn says that the organization is open to working with schools, sponsor partners, community groups and more. On October 1st, they have an event called Pause for the Cause that will raise awareness of the link between domestic violence and animal abuse, and raise funds to support LIADV's services.

They have more events earlier in the year which you can find out more about on their website. So much to talk about as always but to close out the show, Tommy thanks Jennifer Capezza for joining him today. You can find and connect with LIADV through Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and liadv.org. Next week, Tommy will be speaking with Cliff Baker from the organization, A Need We Feed.