"Real change happens when we see people for who they are, invest intentionally, and let community become family."

In this episode of The HOPEful Connection, Whitley Lemon talks with Julie Olson, Program Coordinator of Restoring Hope's Willow Springs Excel Day Program. Julie shares her journey from undergrad at SBU to leading a program built on purpose, inclusion, and intentional service.

Highlights include prepping 250 surprise promo bags for Hannah Harper's hometown concert, securing a Rotary grant for a therapy pod with mock coffee shop role-play, deep ties with the Chamber of Commerce, downtown beautification, community garden expansion, and skill-building in cooking, budgeting, hygiene, and outings that spark joy and independence.

Julie opens up about overcoming challenges through faith, person-centered support, and ongoing master's studies—proving everyone can excel with the right encouragement.

This episode is for anyone passionate about:

> Disability day programs and community inclusion

> Faith-driven leadership and service

> Building purpose through skill-building and advocacy

> Advocating at Disability Rights Legislative Day

Because real change starts when we show up, see people fully, and let community become family.

Welcome to The HOPEful Connection! A podcast that connects you to the disability community. We're your hosts, Danielle Coffey, Staci Owen, and Whitley Lemon.

In this episode of The HOPEful Connection, Staci Owen sits down with Aaron Harms to discuss behavioral supports, the honeymoon phase in placements, burnout prevention, and the growth of Restoring Hope’s Medical ISL programs. Aaron shares insights from years in mental health, his role on the behavioral team, and what it takes to build strong DSP teams that create real quality of life for the individuals they serve. This episode highlights teamwork, preparation, and meeting needs as they arise — all centered around belonging in community.

What does it look like to truly see someone — and change a life in the process?

In this episode, Staci Owen welcomes Host Home provider Brandy Fajen to share her powerful journey through foster care, adoption, and over seven years of serving individuals through Restoring Hope, LLC.

Brandy talks honestly about faith, family buy-in, community support, and the reality of walking alongside individuals through trauma, growth, and transformation. From bucket list moments and first family vacations to navigating transitions and tough conversations, this episode is a real look at the heart behind Host Home care.

This conversation is for anyone passionate about:

• Foster care and Host Home services

• Disability support and community living

• Faith-driven service and caregiving

• Building family beyond blood

Because sometimes the most life-changing thing we can do… is simply show up and follow through.

The HOPEful Connection is a podcast that connects you to the disability community. Co-Hosts Danielle Coffey, Staci Owen, and Whitley Lemon provide twice monthly episodes, ranging from host home and client testimonials, state-wide agency updates, and bringing on community members who are positively impacting the community Restoring Hope serves and partners with.

"Every time you interact with someone, you're changing their brain." Josh Varner joins us to break down trauma in a way that’s practical, human, and usable for anyone working with kids, families, or communities. Drawing from his background as a college football coach, school counselor, and trauma-informed trainer, he explains how trauma shapes behavior and why connection is the foundation for healing.

This conversation walks through fight, flight, and freeze responses, the power of regulated adults, and simple tools that actually work in real life. From schools and families to caregivers and community leaders, this episode offers clarity, encouragement, and a reminder that change happens through relationships, not quick fixes.

.

.

🛒 Shop for Josh's book: https://a.co/d/hUTNJoB

⛓️‍💥Hire Josh to speak at your next event: https://www.joshvarnerconsulting.com

👉 Watch more, listen, and subscribe to The HOPEful Connection:

https://www.werestorehope.com/the-hopeful-connection-podcast

#traumainformedcare #TraumaRecovery #traumaeducation #traumahealing #frontofbrainbackofbrain #fightflightfreeze #fosterhomes #educators #schools #kidschurch #neuroplasticity #rewirethebrain #relaxreconnectreteach #screentime #mentalhealth #joshvarnercounsulting #restoringhopellc #restoringhopepodcast #thehopefulconnection #onerelationshipatatime

Welcome to The HOPEful Connection! A podcast resource that connects you to the disabilities community. We're your hosts, Danielle Coffey, Staci Owen, and Whitley Lemon. Find out more about Restoring Hope, LLC and all that we do at: www.werestorehope.com

Respite Coordinator, Ashleigh Barnett joins us to walk through what respite and relief services really look like for individuals and families navigating long-term care. She explains the difference between in-home and out-of-home respite, how families get approved, what the timeline actually looks like, and why finding the right fit matters more than rushing the process. This conversation highlights the emotional side of caregiving, the trust families place in providers, and how these services help people stay connected while getting the support they need. This episode is especially helpful for families who feel overwhelmed, unsure where to start, or are simply trying to plan for the future with care and intention.

Learn more about Restoring Hope at www.werestorehope.com/out-of-home-respite

Welcome to The HOPEful Connection! A podcast resource that connects you to the disabilities community. We're your hosts, Danielle Coffey, Staci Owen, and Whitley Lemon. Find out more about Restoring Hope, LLC and all that we do at: www.werestorehope.com

What started as one promise to a friend has turned into thousands of life-changing moments on the water. JP from Fish-4-Tales shares how adaptive fishing, kayaking, and outdoor experiences help children, adults, and veterans with disabilities experience joy, dignity, and freedom. From hospital outreach to stories from Freedom Park, this conversation captures what belonging feels like—one moment at a time.

.

.

Fish-4-Tales: https://www.facebook.com/Fish4Tales

National Youth Fishing Association contact: 417-689-4066

Welcome to The HOPEful Connection! A podcast resource that connects you to the disabilities community. We're your hosts, Danielle Coffey, Staci Owen, and Whitley Lemon. Find out more about Restoring Hope, LLC and all that we do at: werestorehope.com.

Kayla opens up about anxiety, courage, and why a bearded dragon named Dave Jr might be the best motivation for a first job. 💼

Kayla and employment specialist Katelyn walk through the WORKS Employment Services journey from early nerves to volunteering at CARE, learning customer service at the coffee bar, designing shirts at InclusiviTEE, and discovering tools like the 'spoons' method, fidgets, and clear communication. We talk budgeting for Christmas gifts, first interviews, self-checkout wins, and how the right home transformed Kayla's confidence. Katelyn shares a vision for InclusiviTee, paid roles and leadership opportunities so individuals can grow in community and at work one relationship at a time.

Restoring Hope partners with individuals and caregivers to build safe homes, belonging, and practical pathways to independence..

.

.

Welcome to The HOPEful Connection, your resource that connects you to the disability community. If this helped you, subscribe and share!

Learn more at werestorehope.com.

#RestoringHope #TheHOPEfulConnection #WORKSEmploymentServices #selfadvocacy #autism #anxietytools #spoonsmethod #fidgettools #inclusiveemployment #jobcoaching #volunteeringatCARE #tshirtshop #InclusiviTEE #Missouridisabilityservices #hosthomes #budgetingskills #interviewtips #customerservicetraining #blackbeardeddragon

"Confidence doesn’t happen overnight — it’s built one experience at a time." In this episode of The HOPEful Connection, Whitley sits down with a participant from the W.O.R.K.S. Employment Services Program to talk about what learning, working, and community look like through Restoring Hope’s daily programming. From working at a dog boarding and daycare to volunteering at a shelter and designing custom t-shirts, this conversation captures the joy, humor, and growth that come from finding purpose and connection.

We talk about:

- Learning responsibility through animal care and volunteering

- Making drinks and custom shirts at the Excel program

- Building confidence and communication on the job

- Why working with animals teaches patience and empathy

- The value of community, friendship, and belonging

Follow us @TheHOPEfulConnection— wherever you listen to podcasts! 👂

Welcome to The HOPEful Connection! This is your resource to connect you to the disability community. We're your Restoring Hope, LLC podcast hosts Staci Owen, Whitley Lemon, and Danielle Coffey.

"Don’t let your battery hit zero — you can’t serve others when you’re completely drained." 🪫In this episode of The HOPEful Connection, Whitley sits down with Bailey Pyle, Director of the Be Well Initiatives and creator of the Brain Health Besties podcast. Bailey shares her journey from licensed professional counselor to leading a movement focused on preventative brain health and caregiver wellbeing.

We talk about:

- How Be Well began in the middle of the pandemic

- The story and vision behind Brain Health Besties

- Practical tools for fighting burnout, anxiety, and insomnia

- Why short “bite-sized” self-care moments matter

- The butterfly breathing exercise that lowers stress in minutes

- What it means to care for yourself while caring for others

Welcome to The HOPEful Connection! This is your resource to connect you to the disability community. We're your Restoring Hope, LLC podcast hosts Staci Owen, Whitley Lemon, and Danielle Coffey. Subscribe to keep up with our new episodes, each month!

Welcome to The HOPEful Connection! This is your resource to connect you to the disability community. We're your Restoring Hope, LLC podcast hosts Staci Owen, Whitley Lemon, and Danielle Coffey.

"If someone only wrote down your worst day, would it truly tell your story?" In this episode of The HOPEful Connection, Staci Owen sits down with Amber Johnson, a longtime member of the Restoring Hope placement team. Amber opens up about the behind-the-scenes process of referrals and placements, from emergency calls at 4:30 on a Friday to carefully coordinated transitions that take months.

We cover:

- How referrals continued even during certification

- Bringing Missouri kids back from out-of-state facilities

- Why meeting clients in person changes everything

- Stories of placements that shaped her perspective

- How homes can prepare for new placements

- Why 'fit' matters for both individuals and families

Find out more about becoming a Host or Relief Home here!

https://www.werestorehope.com/becoming-a-host-home