On this final episode in our series, For the Long Haul, Andrew and Grace sit down with Julie and Jaeden from Central Valley Community Foundation to discuss the issue of Racism and how it has impacted our city long term. The four discuss our community's prejudices, assumptions, and biases and what we can all do to join the conversation around changing the course of the future.

To learn more about Facing Fresno click here - https://www.facingfresno.org/

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Today, Andrew and Grace picked the brains of Natalie Caples and Jennifer Rhoden, two people who tackle a very large question every day in their work - How do we get food into the hands of people who are food insecure?

Natalie has served as Nutrition Education Coordinator, Programs Supervisor, Programs Manager, Director of Programs, and Chief Operations Officer since joining Central California Food Bank in 2008, and was appointed co-Chief Executive Officer in June 2020. She graduated from San Jose State University with a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition with a concentration in Dietetics and a minor in Business Administration.

Jennifer is the Program Manager for the Nutrition Education Department with Fresno Metro Ministry

To learn more about Central California Food Bank -- https://ccfoodbank.org/

To learn more about Fresno Metro Ministry -- https://www.fresnometmin.org/food-to-share-page

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Today, Grace and Andrew sit down with two local CEOs, AP Armour and Mark Ford. AP and Mark share learned insights around job readiness, job development, and the power of a job. The 4 chat about the different models and perspectives they implement in order to hire people who may be on their 2nd or 3rd chance in order to develop incredible employees. If you want to learn more about barriers to employment, hiring those that live on the edges of society, and the amazing benefits that it brings to businesses, you will love this conversation!

To learn more about Neighborhood Industries - https://neighborhoodindustries.org/

To learn more about JD Foods - https://www.jdfood.com/

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On this episode of WGITN, Grace and Andrew sit down and talk with Nolen Burchett and Ahmad Bahrami. Nolen and Ahmad come from two different edges of the mental health and addiction solution spectrum, and yet were able to find common ground about the drugs, addictions, and hurdles that plague our county and country, as well as the long term solutions. Grace also shares a bit of her personal experience navigating recovery options as a family member.

To learn more about Touchstone Recovery, learn about them here - https://touchstonerecoverycenter.com/

To learn more about Fresno Behavioral Health, learn more about them here - https://www.fresnocountyca.gov/Departments/Behavioral-Health/Care-Services/Get-Involved/Behavioral-Health-Equity

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction or mental health, there is help. Please don't hesitate to receive care.

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Richard and Tumani work with kids in urban environments in Fresno that have every odd stacked against them - the foster care system, homelessness, abuse, and trafficking to name a few. But these two have dedicated their lives to not only provide safe environments, but also to offer kids in crisis the opportunity to plan, dream, and execute the life they want.

Join us today on What's Good to talk about what it takes to engage kids who need support, how you can get involved, and what it means to be a person who provides access and hope.

To learn more about LiveAgain Fresno and Richard's story - https://liveagainfresno.org/

To learn more about ProjectAccess and Tumani's team - https://www.fresnounified.org/departments/dpi/project-access

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On this episode, we talk with two people operating from 2 different ends of the homelessness crisis but have chosen to partner together; McKenna Gilman of KuppaCares, who provides a hot cup of coffee and a kind conversation to the homeless of Fresno, and Zack Darrah, CEO of Poverello House, a full service homelessness center providing temporary shelter, addiction and recovery services, a church, and a "free" restaurant. The two discuss interacting with the homeless, the issues they're seeing on the street, having faith centered conversations, and why both of their roles are a call to serve the least of these.

To learn more about KuppaCares, Kuppa Joy's newest non-profit - https://kuppajoy.com/kuppa-cares/

To learn more about Poverello House - https://poverellohouse.org/

To get involved and volunteer at Papa Mikes - https://poverellohouse.org/papa-mikes-cafe

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In our new series, For the Long Run, we're tackling big issues that won't be fixed overnight. Today, we talk with Esther Carver and Dan Zack to discuss the obstacles facing affordable housing, the creativity needed to offer different options to people, and the exciting solutions that folks are working on to bring change to the space. This episode is Fresno heavy, and discusses in detail the specific issues we face here in the valley.

To learn more about Esther and her work with Lowell CDC - HERE

To learn more about Dan Zack and Zack Urban Solutions - HERE

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Is the church the asset in the neighborhood or is it one of many? Jason Spencer tackles this question head-on as local pastor who has committed to not just being a church in a neighborhood, but a church with the neighborhood, there to empower people in their God-given dignity and the work they've been called to do! The trio talk about the difference between outreach and place based focus, leadership development, and the power of being a real partner in the neighborhood and not just a location to attend.

Jason Spencer is the lead pastor of an Image Church in Southwest Fresno. Image Church started their community development organization called Generation Changers for kids in their local schools, and also has opened up their property for job skill development.

You can learn more about Jason and Image Church HERE

And you can support and learn more about Generation Changers HERE

To learn about how Fresno is entering into the service of homeless students HERE

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If you went on our Drive Tour, you heard Chris De Leon talking about the Yo-ville Community Garden in Southwest Fresno. Chris joins the pod to chat more in depth about the current state of food insecurity in the agricultural capital of America, what kind of dignity we instill in each other and ourselves when we grow our own food, and why the existence of community gardens mean we all thrive.

To learn more about Chris and his community garden work, you can find him here - https://www.fresnometmin.org/Farm-and-gardens

To learn more about Life Labs, click here - https://www.lifelab.org/

To learn about the educational gardens ENP is installing on elementary school campuses, click here - https://everyneighborhood.org/blog/schoolgardens/

To learn how you can get involved and grow food in your community, email Chris at [email protected]

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Andrew and Grace are joined today on the podcast by Carlos Huerta. Carlos is the Executive Director of the Center for Community Transformation at Fresno Pacific University. The three talk about the economic realities of the Central Valley, the roadblocks that exist for people to get jobs that meet their needs, and the creative options that exist for our community, our churches, and our organizations. Carlos asks the question, what is the faith community's responsibility to spark innovation in the business sector?

To learn more about the Center for Community Transformation, click HERE

To learn more about redlining, and rare Fresno maps, read this article from KVPR

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