Poverty Fighters Podcast

The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program aims to safeguard the health of low-income women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutrition risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating, and referrals to health care. Host Antonio Aguilar sits with Fresno EOC WIC Director Annette Thornton and Assistant Director Stephanie Bulena and they share about the work their program has been doing to further Fresno EOC’s mission to fight to end poverty.

Fresno EOC’s LGBTQ+ Resource Center provides supportive services to promote the health and well being of individuals of all ages in the LGBTQ+ community. In Episode 10, Antonio speaks to Jen Cruz, LGBTQ+ Resource Center Manager, and she shares her background and experience as well as all the great work she and her team have been doing for the community.

In this episode, we discuss the COVID pandemic through an equity lens to understand people's fears around vaccines, and inequities in medical access. By unpacking the reasons behind people's trepidation around the vaccinations, we can then begin to build bridges in support of one another as we continue to fight this global pandemic.

In honor of Veteran's Day, Antonio and Kevin have a discussion about the ways that poverty has impacted and continues to impact members of our Armed Forces. Veterans have a significantly higher rate of homelessness, and food insecurity, and Veterans of Color are disproportionately represented in homeless veterans. What policies have shaped these outcomes and what needs to change? As we celebrate the holiday, let's begin to think about the ways that we can make systemic change in support of those that fight for our freedom.

Join host Antonio Aguilar as he sits with Fresno EOC's Director of Local Conservations Corps (LCC) and they discuss all things LCC.  Learn what LCC is doing to help young adults earn an education while concurrently earning paid vocational training.  Additionally, Shawn shares some of the great work that Corspmembers are doing to give back to the community.

More than 117,000 people are shot in America annually.  Additionally, gun homicides are disproportionately concentrated in urban areas, particularly in impoverished and underserved communities of color. In Episode 6, Antonio sits with Aaron Foster of Advance Peace and they discuss what this new Fresno EOC program is doing to combat gun violence in the community.  Listen as Aaron shares the beginnings of Advance Peace as well as why he feels their strategies have been successful.

Public transportation is just one of the many vital resources Fresno EOC provides that helps fill the gaps to assist individuals to access education, healthcare, and employment. Join host, Antonio Aguilar, as he sits with Tom Francis of Fresno EOC’s Transit Systems and they discuss the opportunities provided to the community. Listen to learn about Transit Systems' different routes, clients served, as well as training opportunities available to the public.

In Episode 4 we begin a new series called, “The Equity Series,” hosted by Fresno EOC’s Manager of Equity and Inclusion, Kevin Williams. The Equity series will cover a wide array of topics surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion, with guests who have experience in academia, community organization, advocacy, and policy. Join Kevin as he sits with his first guest, Matt J. Diaz as they discuss all things around queer identity, queer spaces, and body positivity.

Navigating equity and inclusion can pose many challenges in an organization.  In this episode, Antonio sits with Fresno EOC’s Manager of Equity and Inclusion, Kevin Williams, to discuss how those terms are defined.  Kevin also shares some projects that Fresno EOC is working on to help in achieving more equitable outcomes for the community.

Antonio sits with Fresno EOC CEO, Emilia Reyes, to hear her share her journey to her current role as a leader and what inspires her to continue fighting for her community. Emilia also shares some important skills every leader should possess that have helped her continue to grow into where she is at today.