The Giving Town

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Like many people with developmental disabilities, Brandon is faced with stereotypes and misconceptions on a constant basis. In this episode, Brandon shares with us what some of those misconceptions are and how he deals with them. He also provides some useful tips for “neurotypical” people in how to interact with someone who has a developmental disability. The main point is that if you have a question, just ask!

Brandon and Kari both share how Project SEARCH helps interns build useful job skills such as professionalism, accountability, perseverance, and many others through the nine-month, three-rotation internship. It’s an unfortunate fact that more than 80% of people with developmental disabilities are unemployed. However, for interns who go through the Project SEARCH program, that figure is nearly reversed with 83% of interns finding job placement.

Project SEARCH is also a part of Pacific Grand Realtor’s Network of Generosity, which means anyone who supports Project SEARCH is eligible to receive significant discounts on real estate services. In addition, Pacific Grand agent Daniel Roberts (that’s me!) and industry partners will donate to Project SEARCH after every eligible transaction. For more more information, email [email protected].

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Lyndsee never planned on being a missionary or participating in World Race. In fact, she thought it was weird that anyone would want to leave the comfort of the United States and spend 11 months in developing countries. But when Lyndsee felt an undeniable calling to apply for the trip, she knew she didn’t have another choice. When she felt prompted to quit her job and break her lease 5 months before she left, she knew she had no option but to trust God.

On this episode Lyndsee shares some of the stories and struggles, as well as heart-warming moments of being on World Race. From working with ex child soldiers, being hit by tuk tuks, having her hair done inside a prison, to the hard goodbyes, this is a story that everyone can learn from.

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In this fun and interactive episode, Joanie Cooper, Shaun Shepherd, and Franki Baccellieri of the Temperate Orchard Conservancy (TOC) share their passion for preserving varieties of fruit that would otherwise likely be extinct. 

As members of the Home Orchard Society, Joanie, Shaun, and Franki share a love for growing, exploring, and protecting fruit. When mutual friend Nick Botner was no longer able to care for his own collection of over 4500 apple varieties, Joanie, Shaun, and Franki knew they had to take action. In 2011, they began cloning the apple trees and in 2012 the TOC was born and is now located at Almaty Farm in Molalla, Oregon.

Now, TOC has the largest private collection of distinct apple varieties in the world, and has gained international attention. Cary Fowler of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault even provided TOC grants to provide fencing, a well, irrigation, and other construction needs.

As a fun bonus, I was able to try some varieties of apples on the episode that I never even knew existed. I hope you enjoy this episode and check out the work Temperate Orchard Conservancy is doing!

http://www.temperateorchardconservancy.org/

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It’s hard enough to hear that your child has been diagnosed with cancer. But when you are unable to work because you are with your child in the hospital, have glaring bills for medication and treatment, and feel like you are the only one going through this, it can be almost unbearable. This is the belief held by Candlelighters and is why they work to support the entire family.

Since 1977, Candlelighters has been serving families by providing programs such as emergency financial assistance, an annual family camp, family activities, bereavement support, and a hospital meal program. Over the past few years, the programs and funding have expanded to reach even more families struggling through this difficult journey.

Candlelighters also works hard to give as much as possible to its programs, with 84 cents of every dollar going directly to program support. Over the past 42 years, Candlelighters has served over 82,000 family members in this difficult journey and is depended upon by hospitals all over the state of Oregon.

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Bucky Buchstaber, founder and executive director of Fly Fishing Collaborative (FFC), joins us to share how he uses fly fishing to help rescue children from sex trafficking across the world.

Many people tend to separate their spiritual lives from other aspects of life. But to Bucky, the idea that activities such as going to church, praying, and reading scripture are spiritual while things like fishing, sports, and working are not, is just plain wrong.

Bucky has always loved fly fishing and wanted to turn an activity that had seemingly no spiritual aspect into something that could transform lives. As Bucky’s passion grew and other fishermen joined the cause to stop sex trafficking, eventually FFC was born. Now, FFC builds aquaponics farms around the world to provide financial support for impoverished communities that are at risk for sex trafficking. In addition, experienced fly fishermen and fishing guides donate their time, services, and products to FFC to be sold to the fly fishing community.

You can learn more at https://flyfishingcollaborative.org/

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From a young age, Bruce knew he wanted to make a difference in people’s lives, but it wasn’t until he was older that he realized what that would look like. He went from having a solid career to giving up everything to join HOMEpdx, an organization dedicated to loving and serving people on the streets of Portland. In this episode, Bruce challenges our perceptions of what it means to be “normal” and shares practical steps on how to treat “the other” as true human beings. 

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