Willamette Wake Up

The City of Independence, in partnership with Rural Development Initiatives, offered a class to residents to build community & civic leadership.  Assistant City Manager, Shawn Irvine, talks about the program's goal, lessons learned from the first class, and the future of the program.

Braver Angels talks with Leeza Edwards, founder of Embodied Peace, about her ability to connect with people with various political views through self exploration and true dialogue. Leeza shares why she believes cohesion is possible and what it will take to get there.

Conservation Spotlight taps into the story of Eliza Nelson with the Oregon Maple Project, who examines the sweet side of conservation, by building stronger connections between people and the natural world - while savoring the sweet rewards of Oregon’s own maple syrup. 

Monmouth Monthly highlights holiday festivities in the City of Monmouth, with Megan Haberman Guthrie and Emily McNulty, about the time-honored tradition of the Western Oregon University Tree Lighting and recent community favorite, Making Spirits Bright. 

Salem Police Chief Trevor Womack discusses the police department's newest strategic plan, with highlights from the last 3 years and vision for the next 3 years. The conversation focuses on reducing violent crimes, managing homelessness and reducing traffic fatalities. All through the lens of safety for residents & officers, building trust with the community and creating excellence within the police department.

Policy for the People explores hunger and poverty with Tyler Mac Innis, Oregon Center for Public Policy, and Lelaine Bigelow, Georgetown Center on Poverty and Inequality. They discuss federal data suppression and what it will take for the nation to confront hunger and poverty.

Ashley Hamilton and Marie Jennings, Mid Willamette Valley Community Action Agency, discuss how warming centers save lives of people living w/o shelter during the winter months; and how warming centers, once again, will rely on community volunteers in order to open. They share their hope for better relations between people who are housed and un-housed as one outcome of volunteer participation.

Urban League Unpacked explains how "Feed the Folks" events November 19th in Salem & Portland help provide holiday food boxes, ensuring families across Oregon can celebrate Thanksgiving with dignity and joy, with guests from Urban League of Portland.

Willamette Block Party sits down with Jasmine Kelly-Field, an accountant by day, gamer by night, and lawn care entrepreneur. From growing up in New York to building her business here in Oregon, Jasmine opens up about money, mindset, and making space for Black joy and entrepreneurship.

With the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) still on hold, and local food pantries already stretched thin, this Salem couple created their own food pantry and share how others can do it successfully.