My guest today on Stories Connect People podcast is Ruth Willatt. Ruth is here to share with you the story and mission of an amazing shop at the Arusha Coffee Lodge in Tanzania, Africa. It's like nothing you've ever heard of. 

The organization and shop is named, Shanga. Ruth will share how it got that name and more importantly the great work and opportunity it provides people with disabilities.

Shanga is a shop and workshop but above all it is a place where disabilities fade into the background and what shines through is the people, their pride they have in their work and the handmade items they put so much love and care into producing. 

Part of Shanga's mission is to focus on sustainability and the handmade items are made from as many recycled items as possible. Ruth will share all of this and some great stories that will touch your heart.

My husband and I had the privileged of seeing this incredible place first hand a couple of years ago and it truly is an inspiring and uplifting place.

I hope you will follow all the great work and read for yourself the stories of the team on Facebook and Instagram. One in particular will have you close to tears of happiness where Mousad's life dream was to scale Mount Kilimanjaro. Some really amazing people made that happen and I just believe that will turn into Part II of this great story. 

For now, welcome Ruth Willatt to Stories Connect People podcast. 

Shanga is a successful social enterprise which employs people with disabilities to create unique, high-quality, handmade jewelry, glassware and home wares incorporating recycled materials. These products are sold in Tanzania and all over the world, with profits being reinvested back into developing opportunities to employ more people with disabilities.

Combining an uplifting local community project with unique artistic activities and opportunities to purchase handmade gifts, Shanga has been a favourite Arusha tourist destination since its inception in 2007. 

Shanga became part of Elewana in 2017 as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility program, with a ongoing commitment to the people of Tanzania. Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge is the home of Shanga, which comprises of an open workshop for glass-blowing, weaving, sewing, Tinga Tinga painting, bead-making and metal work, with a shop showcasing all Shanga’s handmade products.

SHANGA (Located at Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge)

www.shanga.com

https://www.facebook.com/ShangaTanzania

https://www.instagram.com/shanga_tanzania/

Clients worldwide can also support Shanga by purchasing their products. 2020 has seen Shanga develop and achieve a growth in international sales with some of this growth attributed to their relationship with DHL. Currently orders can be placed by emailing [email protected] with the plan by early 2021 to have streamlined the process for customers with new catalogues.

References:

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) is annually observed on 3 December to promote the full and equal participation of persons with disabilities and to take action for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society and development.

Shanga's theme this year is “Building Back Better: toward a disability-inclusive, accessible and sustainable post COVID-19 World”.

My guest today on Stories Connect People podcast is Rob MacMillan of Robs Rescues.  Robs Rescues is a non-profit organization with a mission is to serve animals and give them a voice. Wait to you hear the impact this young man is making on his community and beyond.

Rob has a passion for animals and as a young kid he began volunteering at his local shelter. That has evolved into this inspiring mission to advocate, educate and support shelter animals and urban wildlife coexistence.

You won't believe all this 14 year old, yes I said 14 has accomplished and his mission continues to evolve. He volunteers at shelters, leads campaigns and efforts to collects pet food and supplies for shelters and families in need and is bringing more awareness to the importance of wildlife.

He is a writer and an interviewer. He writes about shelter animals needing homes and  shares the great work of others by interviewing local policeman, politicians, wildlife rehabilitators, and directors of animal rescue organizations to just name a few. 

He has his own blog and for several years has had columns in 4 "around town" magazines.

He has his family, friends and community behind his grassroots efforts all to benefit animals who are our greatest companions.

Welcome Rob to Stories Connect People podcast.

Guest - Rob Macmillan

ROB’S RESCUES

A boy’s mission to Write, Interview, Educate and Advocate for Shelter Animals and Urban Wildlife Coexistence.

Rob’s Rescues Inc is a 501(c)(3) non-profit company.

Since 2014 Rob has written a monthly column in local magazines advocating for shelter animals.

He also publishes his interviews with a wide range of people from politicians, policemen, animal rescues, wildlife rehabilitators, disaster specialists and others.

Rob also collects pet food and supplies for shelters and people in need in the community. 

Check out these amazing interviews - https://robsrescues.com/interviews/ -

https://robsrescues.com/advocacy/

https://robsrescues.com/how-to-help-and-get-help/

https://robsrescues.com/urban-coexistence/

You will find Rob's column in Around Canton, The Townlaker, Around Woodstock, Around Acworth

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My guest on Stories Connect People podcast is Omar Jimenez. Omar and his family have a great story and we meet him on a South Beach Art Deco Food Tour I wanted to have him as a guest on the show.

Omar was born in Cuba and his family was moving to the Ukraine when a layover in Ireland led them to change those plans all together and start a new life in Ireland. They were some of the earliest Cuban immigrants to Ireland and established the first Cuban restaurant in Dublin. Omar began helping out in the restaurant as a young boy and now is the operator of his family's restaurant, Bella Cuba in Miami.

Omar talks about his family's journey, their restaurants, spending several years working on luxury yachts  where he traveled to some of the most exotic places in the world and later managing large estates. In addition to his formal education; all of this experience was extremely valuable for his role today running the family business.

Omar has such a love for culture, people and food especially in Miami. The guest experience they create at the restaurant and Omar as he is guiding guests for Miami Food Tours is warm, welcoming and personal.

If you visit Miami, I hope you will dine at Bella Cuba in South Beach and check out Miami Food Tours for an unforgettable experience.

Omar Jimenez

Operator, Bella Cuba Restaurant, Miami

(305) 672 - 7466

[email protected]

https://www.bella-cuba.com/

FB -  https://www.facebook.com/bellacubamiami

IG - https://www.instagram.com/miamifoodtours/

Miami Food Tours

https://miamifoodtours.com/

IG - https://www.instagram.com/miamifoodtours/

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Polly Van Duser shares higlights

Episode 7 - Losing Mobility yet Gaining Gratitude, Lee Chambers

Episode 4 - Music Brings a Crowd to Life, Dave Huey - Black Sheep Ensemble

My guest on Stories Connect People podcast is Georgia Deane. Georgia's work and mission is to empower those incarcerated and provide them with the practice and tools to help recover from their trauma.  Much of the basis of this is yoga. Practicing yoga can help free one from feelings of depression about the past and feelings of anxiety about the future. It is especially healing for those that have been through trauma. Georgia said we all have experienced trauma at some level in our life. 

As a child, Georgia's father was in prison and later her brother fell into a life of crime. Through yoga she began to experience her own healing. She founded Live Free Yoga organization something that had never done before. It is a program focused on bringing a yoga teacher certification to incarcerated people.

Georgia is making a difference in the lives of people when everyone else likely has given up on them. You will see her love, passion and heart for others as she strives to use movement and mindfulness to help those in the system and teens impacted by their parent's incarceration.

Welcome Georgia Deane to Stories Connect People podcast

References:

Metro Re-entry - http://www.dcor.state.ga.us/Facilities/metro-reentry-facility led by Charles Hines.

Here to Be partner with Lululemen's Social Impact Program.

Contact Info:

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My guest today on stories Connect People podcast is Paula Quinn. Paula shares the story of her daughter Rosie's diagnosis with the autoimmune disorder, Alopecia.  Rosie was just 2. 5 years old.

This diagnosis was hard for Rosie and her family but one day Rosie told her mom. "Don't worry mom my hair is just on vacation".  THAT completely shifted their mindset and they began sharing stories of where Rosie's hair went.  

Paula one day took a drawing Rosie's had done and turned it into a headscarf. Rosie couldn't stop looking in the mirror and told Paula that she wanted every bald kid to have a headscarf like hers. Rosie didn't stop with her vision. She would tell everyone that mentioned the scarf about her plan to give one to all the bald kids.  After a few months, the vision for Coming Up Rosies was set.  Paula is going to share how she founded the organization, that is a family mission not just a Rosie mission.  They provide smile kits to any kid who is suffering from hair loss through more than 25 children's hospitals. And their mission is growing!

When Paula was struggling years back with Rosie's diagnosis her therapist suggested she journal her thoughts about Rosie's Alopecia. Years later she wrote a children's book "My Hair Went On Vacation" to help children understand it's ok to be different and being different makes you special.  All of the proceeds benefit Coming Up Rosies so more children can receive a smile kit.

You are going to see just how beautiful being bald can be and Paula is going to tell you by sharing Rosie's story.

Paula Quinn and Rosie Quinn

To learn more about Coming Up Rosies, check out their website here.

Paula Quinn, recently wrote a book “My Hair Went On Vacation”

https://www.cominguprosies.com/

https://www.amazon.com/Hair-Went-Vacation-Paula-Quinn/dp/1645432815

https://www.instagram.com/coming.up.rosies/

See a short video featuring Rosie - https://www.instagram.com/p/CGDt_eIFpHd/

My guest today on Stories Connect People podcast is Jigar Ganatra. He is the perfect guest as he is a storyteller himself. I met Jigar when I was in Tanzania almost 2 years ago. I have followed his work and I wanted to bring his story to you. He is a talented artist, film maker, photographer and travel and cultural enthusiast. He turned his passion into a career shooting some of the most beautiful places and people in the world for documentary films, commercials and his passion projects.

When you see his work you would think it's the work of someone with decades more experience and someone who has spent years going through formal training and education. Yet, Jigar is in his early 20s and is self taught. 

Hear Jigar talk about his love for people, culture, nature and our beautiful world and how he is living his best life capturing it. He also helps others evolve their photography skills and storytelling skills through his experiential photography storytelling travel programs. 

You will want to follow Jigar's work and tell him you heard about him on Stories Connect People podcast.

Connect with Jigar:

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This is a big week for Stories Connect People podcast! This is my 25th episode and I can't think of a better guest than my guest today Luke Mickelson with Sleep in Heavenly Peace. What started from Luke finding out a kid in his town was sleeping on the floor has evolved into this nationwide movement within a few years. The motto  "no kid sleeps on the floor in our town"

My husband, Brad is the one that got us completely hooked on supporting sleep in heavenly peace after seeing Luke and SHP featured on CNN heroes about 18 months ago.

It was such a pleasure to interview Luke and he is just as incredible as I thought he would be he has warm, down to earth, generous and funny.

You will hear us talk about the build days and the bed deliveries. At the build days the volunteers literally do every single step by hand from cutting the wood, sanding, drilling, staining and then branding  then volunteers go out and deliver beds to kids in their home. All of this is done with so much love for the kids.   

Luke talks about his first big breakthrough was when Mike Rowe featured SHP on Returning the Favor, then in 2018 he was featured on CNN heros. SHP has received more than 1M in grants from Lowes, the Rose Bowl organization ask him to build 100 beds for a service project and you can now find his smiling face on the Lays Potato Chips bag. I said who in the world knows someone who has been featured on a Lay's Potato Chip bag?

Luke I thrilled to have you join me today on Stories Connect People podcast.

Learn more about Sleep in Heavenly Peace:

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My guest on Stories Connect People podcast is Andy Helmer, CEO Shelters to Shutters.

Do you know that 1 in 5 Americans have no savings set aside to cover an unexpected emergency. Essentially they are living paycheck to paycheck. 

What if you lost your job, had to leave an abusive domestic situation or had a major medical emergency would you be a risk being homeless?  When you live paycheck to paycheck the safety and security of a home is always at risk.

Andy talks  about the amazing work Shelters to Shutters is doing to address situational homelessness.  That means an individual or family loses their home due to a life altering event. This is different from chronic homelessness and Andy explains.

I ask Andy what is most important the home or the job to help someone get their life back on track? Shelters to Shutters addresses both with their unique and innovative approach and it works. 93% of those who graduate from the program generally    within one year continue with stable housing and employment. 

Hear Andy share all about how they are giving a hand up and changing lives on Stories Connect People podcast.

About Shelters to Shutters:

Shelters to Shutters is a national 501c3 organization that transitions individuals and families out of homelessness to economic self-sufficiency by educating and engaging the real estate industry to provide employment and housing opportunities. 

What Is Situational Homelessness?

The status of being forced to live without housing due to a life-altering event, such as job loss, domestic violence, medical emergency, or natural disaster.

If you are homeless and you don't have an address, how do you get a job? What comes first - employment or housing? Shelters to Shutters is solving this problem unlike any other organization - by providing both simultaneously. Through direct partnerships with property management companies. Shelters to Shutters offers full-time employment and housing opportunities to individuals experiencing homelessness who are ready-to-work and excited for a career in property management. In return, our property management partners receive high quality, motivated employees that quickly become dedicated and loyal members of their resident communities.

Shelters to Shutters also provides case management to all participants as they transition out of homelessness and return to economic self-sufficiency

Take Action:

http://shelterstoshutters.org/

http://shelterstoshutters.org/our-vision/

http://shelterstoshutters.org/in-the-news/

Follow Shelters to Shutters on LinkedIn and Facebook

http://shelterstoshutters.org/in-the-news/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/shelters-to-shutters/

Consider contributing to this great organization

Stay Home for the Homeless virtual fundraising event - http://shelterstoshutters.org/s2s-stay-home-homeless-2020-sponsorship-opportunities/

https://e.givesmart.com/events/imB/

Stories Connect People Podcast