In this episode of the NMCAA podcast [DONATE], Erica Austin and Ryan Buck introduce a discussion on collaborative child care centers, highlighting how these programs bring families, educators, and community organizations together to provide high-quality care. Guests Katherine Kwiatkowski, a collaborative center manager, and Rachael Dyer, a services coordinator, join to explain how these centers support children and families through partnerships with local child care providers. They offer wraparound services like extended care, health screenings, and family engagement activities, meeting diverse family needs. The conversation emphasizes the centers' role in offering stability and comprehensive support, enhancing early childhood education and family well-being.

[DONATE TO NMCAA] Erica Austin and Ryan Buck open the segment by reflecting on their 40-show partnership, expressing appreciation for each other’s collaboration. They then introduce November’s focus on Homeless Awareness Month, specifically highlighting the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program, which aids veterans in avoiding homelessness. The discussion features John McClintock, SSVF supervisor, who explains veterans’ challenges, including employment gaps, reintegration struggles, and the significance of housing-first approaches. McClintock emphasizes veteran-centered care, aiming to empower rather than create dependence, by connecting veterans to supportive resources. He underscores the importance of directing veterans in crisis to a dedicated intake line to expedite support, avoid repeated trauma recounts, and link them directly with essential services.

DONATE to NMCAA - The episode highlights Energy Awareness Month and Weatherization Month in October, with discussions centered on the Weatherization Assistance Program, which provides energy conservation and safety services to low-income households at no cost.

The conversation delves into home energy audits, which involve checking for insulation levels, air leaks, and health and safety hazards. They are joined by guests Jeremy Truog, NMCAA’s technical manager, Terry Denoyer, a BPI-certified energy auditor, and Marshall Willobee, another certified auditor. The experts discuss what goes into an energy audit, the importance of BPI certification, and how they check homes for carbon monoxide and other safety risks. They also mention the use of thermal imaging to detect insulation problems.

The episode emphasizes the importance of teamwork in conducting thorough energy audits and helping community members create safer, more energy-efficient homes. The team reflects on the value of collaboration in their roles at NMCAA, and the importance of making sure homes are safe, efficient, and healthy.

[DONATE] NMCAA 50th Anniversary Celebration at Milliken Auditorium inside Dennos Museum in beautiful Traverse City, Michigan. Erica and Ryan express their excitement about recording live for the first time and preview the topics their panelists will discuss: economic stability, educational opportunities, and housing support. Erica emphasizes NMCAA’s mission of fostering self-sufficiency and improving quality of life. Panelists then introduce themselves and share why they support NMCAA’s mission, including personal connections to programs like Meals on Wheels, financial empowerment, and tax preparation services. They highlight the agency’s efforts to strengthen communities, support families, and provide resources like food, housing, and educational opportunities to improve economic stability and promote self-sufficiency.

[DONATE to NMCAA] In this excerpt, Erica Austin introduces The Collective US, a podcast produced by Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency (NMCAA), which shares inspiring stories of those assisted by the agency’s programs and connects local resources with community members in need. Ryan Buck, co-host of the podcast, announces that they are preparing for NMCAA’s 50th anniversary live event and are reintroducing NMCAA’s services from the executive director’s perspective.

In the first episode, Kerry Baughman, NMCAA's executive director, discusses the agency's history, which dates back to President Lyndon B. Johnson's War on Poverty and the creation of community action agencies in 1964. Baughman emphasizes that community action focuses on listening to and serving local communities. The discussion covers NMCAA’s growth from its founding in 1974 with 24 employees and a budget of $265,000, to over 330 employees and a $25 million budget today. NMCAA now serves 10 counties in Northwest Michigan.

They also talk about key programs like tax preparation and housing assistance, which improve home safety and energy efficiency. Baughman urges the public to reach out for assistance, stressing NMCAA’s commitment to helping individuals and connecting them with necessary resources.

Finally, they discuss Head Start and Early Head Start recruitment, which focuses on early childhood development and family support. Baughman reflects on how these programs provide comprehensive care for children and families, emphasizing the importance of community needs assessment to ensure the agency is meeting the needs of those it serves.

[DONATE to NMCAA] Hosts Erica Austin and Ryan Buck introduce a discussion focused on the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which helps people file taxes and has contributed nearly $7 million back to the local economy. The VITA program, run by NMCAA and staffed by IRS-certified volunteers, is essential in assisting low to middle-income individuals with their tax filings. They introduce guests Karen Leppeck, a quality reviewer and site coordinator, and Larry Winters, a long-time tax program volunteer, who discuss their roles, the importance of VITA, and how it supports the community. They also mention fun tax facts and discuss the importance of personal connections in providing tax assistance. The segment highlights the dedication of volunteers in helping community members, especially those unfamiliar with tax processes, and touches on upcoming deadlines, like the home heating credit, for which they provide assistance.

[DONATE to NMCAA] Erica Austin and Ryan Buck introduce themselves as hosts of "The Collective US," a podcast by NMCAA. They express excitement about the episode, focusing on the importance of community partnerships for nonprofits. Ryan emphasizes that connection is vital for nonprofits, affecting everything from marketing to support and culture. The hosts discuss NMCAA's three main food programs—Meals on Wheels (MOW), The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSP)—and highlight their collaboration with various community partners. They also touch on housing and energy efficiency services, mentioning the critical role of contractors and community partners in emergency home repairs. The conversation shifts to homelessness prevention, stressing its significance and the challenges faced by individuals who may be silently struggling.

[DONATE] This podcast is produced by Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency (NMCAA). Hosts Ryan Buck and Erica Austin discuss the upcoming school year, with Erica noting her son starting kindergarten and Ryan mentioning his daughter's senior year. They introduce guests Molly Notenbaum, a Child and Family Development Site Supervisor, and Julie Barber, an Education Coach, both from NMCAA. Molly discusses her supervisory role over multiple preschool sites, while Julie talks about her work in supporting teachers and ensuring quality education. Both guests share their enthusiasm for the upcoming school year, emphasizing the importance of teamwork, leadership, and building strong foundations for both staff and students. The podcast also acknowledges NMCAA employees celebrating long-term milestones with the organization.

[DONATE TO NMCAA] Hosts Erica Austin and Ryan Buck introduce a discussion on child and family development, featuring guests Erica Canfield and Michelle Maxwell from Early Head Start. They explain Early Head Start’s home-based and center-based programs, which support families with children aged 0-3. Canfield highlights the home-based program’s long-term engagement with families, while Maxwell discusses center-based care, which operates in four counties. Both guests emphasize the importance of early education, health screenings, and family involvement in child development. They also note the flexibility and team support within the programs, which help families navigate resources and enhance their children’s development.

[DONATE TO NMCAA] Erica Austin and Ryan Buck introduce the show, emphasizing their excitement for the episode focused on philanthropy and giving. Ryan, coming from the food and beverage industry, highlights his passion for giving and teases upcoming events for the audience.

Erica announces the upcoming Giving Week from July 17th to 24th, encouraging listeners to mark their calendars and consider donating online. They then introduce their guests: Tina Schuette, owner of Rare Bird Brewpub and founder of Pour for More, and Jay Zrimec, a fundraising consultant for NMCAA.

Jay shares his extensive background in marketing, public relations, and fundraising, including his 22-year tenure at Munson Regional Health Care Foundation, where he helped raise $33 million and led a $10 million campaign for a new emergency room. He discusses his retirement and subsequent consulting work with smaller nonprofits, including Meals on Wheels, where he successfully increased their year-end appeal from $12,000 to $20,000.

Tina describes her daily responsibilities at Rare Bird Brewpub, from administrative tasks to hands-on work, and her transition away from brewing. She explains the concept of Paw for More, a simple initiative where local bars and restaurants add $1 to the price of a selected drink, with the extra dollar going to local charities. Despite initial challenges, Tina emphasizes the importance of giving back to the community and the positive impact it has.

Both Jay and Tina highlight the complementary nature of different forms of giving in their community, from organized campaigns to grassroots initiatives, demonstrating the collective effort to support and improve their community.