Everyone's Story Deserves to Be Heard: Meet Arielle Galinsky of the Legacy Project
Community Possibilities
What if we could bridge the generational divide while preserving the rich stories of our elders? This question drives Ariel Galinsky, founder of The Legacy Project, a nonprofit that pairs college students with older adults.
Ariel's journey began with personal loss - her grandfather's passing when she was just ten, leaving stories uncaptured. While working in a senior community where her grandmother lived, she recognized a universal gap in intergenerational connection. This sparked what would become her life's mission: creating structured opportunities for meaningful conversations across age divides.
The Legacy Project operates through campus chapters where students interview older adults throughout an academic year, ultimately publishing their collected stories. For many participants, this represents their first significant engagement with elders outside their families. The impact runs deeper than companionship - actively combating social isolation affecting both age groups while challenging pervasive ageist stereotypes that limit both generations.
The Legacy Project demonstrates the power of intergenerational collaboration as a mechanism for broader social change. By valuing elders' stories and fostering meaningful relationships, we create pathways toward more compassionate approaches to aging while enriching both generations in the process. Ready to make your community more intergenerational? Visit LegacyProjectInc.org to learn how you can get involved or start a chapter in your area.
Guest Bio
Arielle Galinsky is the Co-Founder of The Legacy Project, a national nonprofit that connects college students and older adults in their communities for mutual storytelling, uplifting, and documenting life stories. Arielle is passionate about bridging generations and serves as a CoGen Impact Fellow with CoGenerate, where she leads efforts to expand the reach of the ‘Let’s Make Next Gen CoGen’ pledge—amplifying awareness of intergenerational engagement among young adults. Arielle, an MPP/JD candidate at the Harvard Kennedy School and Yale Law School, is committed to advancing aging policy reform at both the state and national levels—rooted in her belief that intergenerational advocacy is the key to moving the needle.
Get in Touch with Arielle
- www.linkedin.com/in/ariellegalinsky
- https://cogenerate.org/lets-make-next-gen-cogen/
- https://www.legacyprojectinc.org/
Like what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts!
Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions
How Ann can help:
· Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization.
· Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable.
· Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations.
· Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving.
· Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action.
· Speak at your conference or event.
Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .
Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful.
Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com
Your Rights Are Your Shield: Courtney Teasley's Proactive Approach to Justice
Community Possibilities
Courtney Teasley takes us behind the curtain to expose how arrests and charges require only "probable cause" – essentially, that someone probably committed a crime. This low standard follows individuals through most of their journey until trial, but with 97% of defendants accepting plea deals before reaching that point, most convictions occur without ever meeting the "beyond a reasonable doubt" standard.
The consequences are devastating, particularly for what Teasley calls "DAMM communities" – Disproportionately Affected, Marginalized Minority communities. Black Americans are six times more likely to be incarcerated than their white counterparts, not because they commit more crimes, but because of targeted over-policing and systemic biases. Without financial resources to mount effective defenses, many people accept pleas simply to escape a system stacked against them.
She offers concrete solutions through her MFN Framework: Mindset (adopting an "innocent until proven guilty" perspective), Finesse (creative defense strategies), and Non-negotiable boundaries (standing firmly on constitutional rights). Her work shifts the focus from reactive approaches that help people after conviction to proactive strategies that prevent convictions in the first place.
Whether you're a community leader, church member, or concerned citizen, Teasley's insights will transform how you understand justice in America and offer practical ways you can contribute to meaningful change.
Courtney's Bio
Courtney Teasley is a nationally recognized criminal defense attorney, business coach, and visionary educator, shifting the paradigm on how we fight systemic injustice. As the founder of emeffen and creator of the MFN Framework for Proactive Advocacy, Courtney leads a movement to empower disproportionately affected, marginalized minorities (D.A.M.M.) with the legal knowledge and strategy to prevent convictions—before the courtroom ever comes into view.
Her impact spans grassroots campaigns, justice-focused curriculum development, and legal education for both community members and lawyers. Through her Easy Way to Learn Your Rights book series, school-based criminal justice literacy programs, and D.A.M.M. Advocate and Legal Warrior trainings, Courtney equips everyday people, educators, and defense attorneys to proactively resist the criminal justice system’s most insidious traps.
Whether speaking to students, churches, or national audiences, she delivers bold, accessible frameworks that challenge the status quo and offer real, community-rooted alternatives. Her work has not only influenced elections but has also helped reunite families separated by state violence and launched legal innovations t
Like what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts!
Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions
How Ann can help:
· Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization.
· Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable.
· Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations.
· Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving.
· Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action.
· Speak at your conference or event.
Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .
Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful.
Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com
How to Create Authentic Community Engagement
Community Possibilities
What if the secret to lasting health change isn't in your next program, but in how you invite communities to lead the work itself? Drawing from my experiences with over 50 coalitions, this episode unpacks why so many well-intentioned organizations struggle with community engagement and offers a practical roadmap for building authentic partnerships.
We explore the uncomfortable truth about traditional coalition meetings—how they often become information-sharing sessions that waste everyone's time rather than spaces for genuine collaboration. You'll discover why the curse of professional knowledge can blind us to community wisdom, and learn specific strategies for creating welcoming foundations that go far beyond sending meeting invitations. From addressing practical barriers like childcare and transportation to examining our own positionality and power dynamics, this conversation provides concrete tools for moving from consultation to true empowerment.
The episode introduces a comprehensive framework for community engagement that transforms how you approach everything from initial relationship-building to co-creating shared visions. Through participatory exercises like community asset mapping and root cause analysis, you'll learn how to help communities design solutions that reflect their lived experiences rather than predetermined professional assumptions. We also dive deep into equity principles, exploring how to recognize and address the reality that not everyone starts from the same place on life's spiral staircase.
Whether you're leading a health coalition, managing community programs, or working in prevention, this episode offers both inspiration and practical guidance for building the kind of authentic community partnerships that create lasting change. Subscribe for more insights on collaborative approaches to community consulting and health equity work.
Like what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts!
Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions
How Ann can help:
· Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization.
· Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable.
· Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations.
· Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving.
· Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action.
· Speak at your conference or event.
Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .
Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful.
Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com
Prove It! Without Killing Your Creative Soul: Meet Kelly Feltault and Hannah Jacobson Blumenfeld
Community Possibilities
The tension between creative expression and rigid reporting requirements creates a disconnect that undermines both funders and grantees. What if there's a better way forward?
Kelly Feltault and Hannah Jacobson Blumenfeld join us to unpack how traditional accountability frameworks often miss the mark when applied to arts organizations. Drawing from their work with Creative Forces—an innovative collaboration between the National Endowment for the Arts, Department of Defense, and VA—they share how military veterans and their families experienced profound transformation through arts programming, yet organizations struggled to "prove" these outcomes to health-focused funders.
The problem isn't a lack of impact. Arts organizations witness life-changing outcomes daily—increased resilience, social connection, identity formation, and emotional well-being. The challenge lies in translation. When funders expect clinical-style measurement from community-based organizations without providing capacity-building support, they create what Kelly calls an "unfunded mandate" that burdens nonprofits and obscures their true value.
Their solution begins with honoring what organizations already know. Rather than imposing external frameworks, Kelly and Hannah help nonprofits articulate their outcomes in language funders recognize. This process of translation empowered Creative Forces organizations to secure new funding partnerships and influence systems change in ways they hadn't previously imagined.
For nonprofit leaders struggling with resource constraints, evaluation can become a strategic tool rather than just another burden. As Hannah reflects from her executive director experience: "Although this process takes time and intention, it ended up taking something off their plate instead of adding something on" by providing clarity amid the daily "paradox of choice."
Whether you're a funder seeking to support innovation or a nonprofit trying to communicate your impact, this conversation offers practical wisdom for building trust-based relationships that honor both accountability and creativity. As Kelly reminds us, "Evaluation is really just about being curious and strategic and brave—not about becoming a statistician."
Visit communityevaluationsolutions.com for free and low-cost resources including a nonprofit mission statement template, logic model template, coalition self-assessment, and the course "Powerful Evidence: Evaluation for Non-Evaluators."
Like what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts!
Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions
How Ann can help:
· Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization.
· Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable.
· Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations.
· Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving.
· Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action.
· Speak at your conference or event.
Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .
Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful.
Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com
How Farm to ECE Programs Help Grow Healthy Kids: Meet Dr. Emia Oppenheim
Community Possibilities
Dr. Emia Oppenheim shares the powerful impact of Farm to Early Care and Education programs that connect young children with local food systems through gardening, hands-on learning, and fresh local foods.
• Public health nutrition focuses on population-level changes rather than individual interventions
• Children's food preferences often develop before age three, making early exposure to fruits and vegetables critical
• Farm to ECE uses three core strategies: buying local foods, teaching about agriculture, and hands-on learning
• Purchasing local foods creates ripple effects by supporting farmers and strengthening community food systems
• ASPHN's FarmWise initiative brings states together through collaborative learning to develop Farm to ECE programs
• Strong coalitions with diverse stakeholders drive innovation and sustainability in public health initiatives
• Despite funding challenges, states have found creative ways to implement local food purchasing incentives
• The next generation of public health professionals brings systems thinking and compassion to food system work
Visit asphn.org to learn more about ASPHN's Farm to ECE work, sign up for their newsletter, or join their upcoming webinars and training opportunities.
Guest Bio
Emia Oppenheim, PhD, MPhil, RD, Public Health Consultant and Farm to ECE Programs Director, Association of State Public Health Nutritionists,
Dr. Emia Oppenheim is a seasoned public health nutritionist and consultant currently working with the Association of State Public Health Nutritionists (ASPHN) on federal public health initiatives. With a career spanning several decades, she has extensive expertise in nutrition, early childhood health and development, chronic disease prevention and population health. Dr. Oppenheim completed her PhD in Nutritional Biochemistry in 2001, at Cornell University, following an MPhil in Immunology from the University of Sheffield (UK) and a clinical internship for a dietetic registration at the University of Virginia. Dr. Oppenheim was an adjunct lecturer at Cornell and has presented widely on nutrition and child development in the US and UK. Dr. Oppenheim’s career has shifted over the years from nutritional biochemistry to public health nutrition with a focus on transforming policies, systems and programs to support healthier environments for children. She began working on public health programs in school districts, later serving as the lead for early childhood obesity prevention programs at the Ohio Department of Health. She now leads ASPHN’s national efforts with Federal partners to expand and strengthen Farm to Child initiatives, helping states create healthier food sys
Like what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts!
Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions
How Ann can help:
· Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization.
· Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable.
· Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations.
· Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving.
· Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action.
· Speak at your conference or event.
Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .
Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful.
Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com
Nonprofit Leadership with Brooke Richie-Babbage: Building Resilient Organizations in Challenging Times
Community Possibilities
Nonprofit leaders feeling the weight of challenging times need more than grit to thrive—they need resilient organizations built on sustainable systems and supportive networks. Brooke Ritchie-Babbage shares her S.T.R.O.N.G. framework for building nonprofit stability while growing impact.
• Strategic clarity keeps everyone focused on the "cathedral" they're building beyond daily brick-laying work
• Well-designed tools and systems create the interstitial tissue connecting teams without bottlenecks
• Resources include not just funding but sustainable approaches like monthly giving programs
• Ownership means everyone understands their role and has appropriate decision-making authority
• Networked capacity extends organizational roots beyond staff to partners, advisors, and collaborators
• Governance provides appropriate oversight and accountability that evolves as organizations grow
• Growth and stability aren't competing priorities—stability is the foundation for sustained growth
• Burnout isn't a badge of honor or personal failing but a structural mismatch requiring systemic solutions
• Building recovery and assessment into organizational rhythms is essential for long-term impact
• No leader should try to go it alone—find coaches, mentors, and peer communities for support
Check out Brooke's podcast at https://brookerichiebabbage.com/podcast/
Brooke's Bio
Brooke Richie-Babbage is a nonprofit growth strategist and social impact advisor. She is the founder and CEO of Bending Arc, a social impact strategy firm that supports the launch and sustainable growth of high-impact nonprofits, and the host of Nonprofit Mastermind Podcast.
For the past 23 years, Brooke has worked as a lawyer, nonprofit leader, and social entrepreneur. She has founded and led multiple successful organizations and initiatives, including the Resilience Advocacy Project (RAP), where she served as founder and Executive Director for 11 years, the Sterling Network NYC and the NetLab Initiative, both initiatives of the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation, where she served as Director of Network Initiatives for six years, and the Social Justice Accelerator (SJA), an initiative of the Urban Justice Center, where she has served as SJA Director since 2019.
Brooke received her JD and MPP from Harvard and her BA from Yale. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two sons.
Brooke Richie-Babbage | LinkedIn
Like what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts!
Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions
How Ann can help:
· Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization.
· Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable.
· Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations.
· Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving.
· Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action.
· Speak at your conference or event.
Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .
Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful.
Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com
The Invisible Safety Net: Understanding Kinship Care with Amanda Klein-Cox
Community Possibilities
Amanda Klein-Cox joins me to talk about KinCarolina, a comprehensive support program for caregivers raising children with disabilities or special health care needs. The program combines peer support, training, financial assistance, and community-building to improve caregiver wellbeing and ultimately benefit the children in their care.
• Kinship care occurs when relatives or close family friends raise children whose parents cannot care for them
• For every child in formal foster care nationally, approximately 19 are in informal kinship care arrangements
• In South Carolina, this ratio is even more dramatic—1:300
• Most kinship caregivers receive little to no support despite saving states millions in foster care costs
• Kinship caregivers face unique challenges including financial strain, legal barriers, and supporting children with trauma
• Early results show caregivers feeling less isolated and better equipped to support their families
Amanda's Bio:
Amanda Klein-Cox, Ed.D., is a Senior Research Associate at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Social Work (SSW). Dr. Klein-Cox serves as the Project Implementation Manager for the KinCarolina program, which provides comprehensive support to kinship caregivers raising children with disabilities or special health care needs in the Midlands region of South Carolina. In addition to overseeing implementation, she organizes and convenes the project’s Advisory Council and multi-state team of researchers and collaborators. She has also led developing and implementing a national survey of kinship caregivers with the same team. As a researcher, Dr. Klein-Cox is interested in bridging the fields of education and social work around child and family well-being, particularly in the area of kinship care. Since becoming a mom, she is also interested in the intersection of maternal mental health and well-being with child welfare and family well-being outcomes.
Dr. Klein-Cox owns Engage with Data and currently serves as the Lead Evaluator on the HRSA-funded Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training program at Ohio State University.
Dr. Klein-Cox began her career as a middle school teacher. She earned a Doctorate of K-12 Education Leadership and Policy from Vanderbilt University.
Contact Info for Amanda and KinCarolina:
Like what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts!
Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions
How Ann can help:
· Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization.
· Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable.
· Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations.
· Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving.
· Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action.
· Speak at your conference or event.
Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .
Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful.
Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com
The Urban CEO: How Dr. Dominique Johnson Builds Community Champions
Community Possibilities
Dr. Dominique Johnson's passion for community transformation isn't just theoretical—it's deeply personal and remarkably effective. From his roots in East Macon, Georgia to founding the Urban Community Empowerment Organization (Urban CEO), Johnson has developed a powerful framework for community-led change that's producing measurable results.
The Urban CEO focuses on five strategic pillars: education, economic empowerment, leadership development, civic engagement, and wellness—each addressing critical needs within urban communities.
The Urban Leadership Academy, a seven-month program that has graduated over 100 community leaders over nine years.
Johnson's recent focus on mental health reveals his responsiveness to emerging community needs. He points to the alarming statistic that less than 3% of psychologists nationally are Black men, creating significant barriers to culturally competent care. Through initiatives like an annual Mental Health Symposium, he's working to destigmatize mental health issues while increasing access to resources.
Data plays a crucial role in Johnson's strategy for community transformation. His motto "dollars follow data" encapsulates the practical importance of census participation and data collection. As he powerfully states, "that number has a name"—reminding us that behind every statistic is a human story.
Drawing from historical social movements and his faith tradition, Johnson aims to "equip people so the community itself can build itself." This philosophy of empowered self-determination creates sustainable change built on the unique strengths already present in every community.
Bio
Dr. Dominique Johnson is a trailblazing leader whose passion for community transformation has positioned him as a catalyst for change. As the visionary force behind The Urban CEO, he has dedicated his life to empowering leaders, fostering cultural change, and creating lasting community impact. With over two decades of experience.
A dynamic strategist, Dr. Johnson is committed to developing leaders at every level. Through SEEDS Global Enterprises and The Urban CEO, he champions initiatives that drive economic empowerment, leadership development, and civic engagement.
Dr. Johnson’s leadership and service have earned him numerous accolades, including the Links, Inc. Chain of Service Award and the Wesleyan College Lane Center Servant Leadership Award. A Leadership Georgia graduate and a recognized regional influencer, he continues to shape Middle Georgia and beyond.
Like what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts!
Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions
How Ann can help:
· Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization.
· Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable.
· Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations.
· Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving.
· Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action.
· Speak at your conference or event.
Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .
Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful.
Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com
Philanthropy's Moment of Truth and Opportunity: A Conversation with Dr. Nina Sabarre
Community Possibilities
Dr. Nina Sabarre, founder and CEO of Intention to Impact, takes us deep into the urgent challenges philanthropy faces in our current political climate. With federal programs under attack and DEI initiatives being dismantled, foundations stand at a pivotal crossroads – will they retreat or boldly step forward?
Dr. Sabarre reveals how foundations aren't responding uniformly to these challenges. While some double down on equity commitments, others conduct closed-door strategy sessions, fearing repercussions from a hostile administration. This tension highlights a fundamental question: How can philanthropy effectively support communities when macro-level systems are shifting dramatically?
The conversation explores how traditional philanthropic models might be fundamentally misaligned. Most foundations distribute just 5% of their assets, while the remaining 95% remains invested in markets that often perpetuate the very problems their grants aim to solve. Dr. Sabarre unpacks impact investing as a powerful alternative, enabling foundations to generate both financial returns and positive social outcomes while deploying a greater portion of their capital toward their mission.
Perhaps most compelling is Nina's analysis of systems change strategies. Using the "Waters of Systems Change" framework, she demonstrates how conservative movements have masterfully funded long-term influence through strategic investments in media, churches, and educational institutions. At the same time, progressive philanthropy often focuses on immediate community needs rather than building lasting power.
For those working in evaluation, nonprofit leadership, or community organizing, Dr. Sabarre offers practical wisdom for navigating these turbulent waters – from maintaining commitment to community-centered approaches despite funding pressures to building stronger coalitions and drawing lessons from successful social movements of the past.
Subscribe to Community Possibilities wherever you get your podcasts to continue exploring what's possible when people come together to create lasting change in our communities. Be sure to connect with Nina and sign up for Intention 2 Impact's newsletter.
Bio
Nina is passionate about gender, racial, and social equity, and using #evalpreneurship to dismantle the status quo. She has consulted for a wide variety of cross-sector institutions ranging from Earthjustice, WK Kellogg Foundation, The California Endowment, TED’s Audacious Project, Elevate Prize Foundation, Walton Family Foundation, Colorado Health Foundation, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Omidyar Network, and USAID to name a few. Her work focuses on equitable evaluation for strategic grantmaking and sy
Like what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts!
Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions
How Ann can help:
· Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization.
· Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable.
· Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations.
· Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving.
· Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action.
· Speak at your conference or event.
Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .
Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful.
Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com
Building Resilient Communities Through Trauma-Informed Policy and Practice: Meet Jesse Kohler Kohler
Community Possibilities
When tragedy struck at age 15, Jesse Kohler found himself surrounded by a supportive community that helped him navigate grief and eventually discover post-traumatic growth. This formative experience set Jesse on a path toward becoming a passionate advocate for trauma-informed systems change.
As Executive Director of the Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy and Practice (CTIPP), Jesse brings a unique perspective to our conversation. While many organizations focus on direct trauma services or training, CTIPP recognized a critical gap: the need for coordinated advocacy to transform policies at every level of government. Their innovative approach creates a "coalition of coalitions" that connects national policy efforts with state, local, and grassroots initiatives—creating a bidirectional flow of information and resources.
Jesse breaks down the core principles of trauma-informed approaches, and helps us understand how these principles can be applied across healthcare, education, justice systems, and even climate resilience efforts. Through partnerships like the International Transformational Resilience Coalition, CTIPP is helping communities prepare psychologically and socially for extreme weather events and environmental challenges.
Our conversation explores the messy but rewarding world of coalition-building and the crucial distinction between community-based and truly community-led approaches. Jesse emphasizes that evaluation must empower communities rather than extract from them, challenging traditional models that measure impacts and then depart without sustainable engagement.
Ready to join this movement? Visit ctipp.org to connect with advocacy networks, communities of practice, and resources designed to build momentum toward a trauma-informed future where healing, resilience, and community-led change become the foundation of healthier systems for all.
Guest Bio
As CTIPP’s Executive Director on loan, Jesse Kohler is in charge of organizational administration and HR, fundraising, strategic planning, public engagements, and working to create conditions of safety and empowerment for the board, staff, and volunteers in their roles with the organization. Jesse is on loan from The Change Campaign, which is a nonprofit organization Jesse founded. The Change Campaign is a multi-pronged initiative to build community and systemic capacity by facilitating the application of the science of developmental adversity and its progression through the lifespan and generations to enable initiatives that improve holistic well-being and provide strategic support to government agencies and organizations focused in aligned areas. Jesse has always had a strong vision for change that woul
Like what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts!
Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions
How Ann can help:
· Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization.
· Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable.
· Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations.
· Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving.
· Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action.
· Speak at your conference or event.
Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .
Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful.
Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com
From Family Medicine to Public Health Leadership: Meet Dr. Jimmie Smith
Community Possibilities
Dr. Jimmy Smith Jr., a dynamic leader in public health, reveals the transformative journey from family medicine to becoming the Director of the Macon-Bibb County Health Department. Dr. Smith shares his passion for influencing communities on a large scale, highlighting his mentorship at Mercer University and as the president of the Georgia Public Health Association. His inspiring story is packed with insights about the challenges and triumphs of public health, painting a vivid picture of the dedication required to make a significant impact.
Like other public health departments, the public health department in Macon-Bibb County performs vital tasks, from food inspections to vital immunizations. Facing the reality of a community where 24% live below the poverty line, Dr. Smith discusses the universal importance of public health, dispelling misconceptions that it is only for the underserved. His insights on handling recent health concerns like flu, RSV, and COVID-19 and the critical role of vaccinations. He offers a compelling narrative on managing public health services in a diverse community.
Dr. Smith shares his philosophical approach to public health prevention strategies. Using creative metaphors, he illustrates the importance of primary and secondary prevention efforts and the crucial role of leadership and collaboration in fostering healthier societies. With a focus on resilience and mentorship, Dr. Smith shines a light on the future of public health careers, emphasizing the importance of nurturing emerging leaders to create lasting change. His optimistic outlook invites listeners to engage with public health initiatives, advocating for a future filled with progress and opportunity.
Like what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts!
Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions
How Ann can help:
· Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization.
· Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable.
· Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations.
· Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving.
· Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action.
· Speak at your conference or event.
Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .
Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful.
Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com
Building Resilient Communities: Darice Oppong's Journey of Trauma-Informed Leadership
Community Possibilities
Darice Oppong's joins me today to share her journey working in community leadership and trauma-informed practices. We explore the vital role of collaboration in fostering resilient communities and the importance of celebrating small victories as coalition members work together to address societal challenges.
• Darice’s background in community service and leadership
• The significance of trauma-informed care in supporting individuals
• Strategies for building and sustaining coalitions effectively
• The development of onboarding processes to enhance member engagement
• The challenge and necessity of community collaboration
• Insights into the future goals for Resilient Middle Georgia
If you found this conversation helpful and want to dive deeper into creating impact in your community, I invite you to visit my website at communityevaluationsolutions.com/resources. You're going to find free tools, guides, and templates to support your work to build stronger community organizations.
Darice's Bio
Darice Oppong is a passionate leader, speaker, advocate, and lifelong learner currently pursuing her Master’s in Organizational Leadership at Mercer University. With a heart for service and community, Darice wears many hats, including her role as Coalition Coordinator for Resilient Middle Georgia (RMG), where she empowers leaders to embed trauma-informed care practices into their organizations across the region.
Over the past five years, she has focused on creating meaningful impact, particularly in rural and underserved communities. In her role with Resilient Middle Georgia (RMG), Darice has contributed significantly to building the coalition’s capacity.
In January 2024, Darice’s entrepreneurial spirit shines through Judah David Creations, a crochet shop on Etsy inspired by her son’s legacy. Her motto, “Crochet is a metaphor for life. You just need to take it one stitch at a time, and eventually you’ll make something beautiful,” reflects her commitment to resilience and creativity.
When she’s not coordinating coalitions or crafting new designs, Darice serves as the Praise and Worship Leader for Kingdom Life Church. She treasures quality time with her husband, friends, and family, finding joy and purpose in building connections and inspiring others to embrace their journeys.
Like what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts!
Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions
How Ann can help:
· Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization.
· Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable.
· Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations.
· Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving.
· Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action.
· Speak at your conference or event.
Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .
Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful.
Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com
Transforming Child Welfare Through Preventative Legal Advocacy: Meet Emilie Cook
Community Possibilities
Preventative legal advocacy is reshaping the future of child welfare, and Emily Cook is at the forefront. As a Senior Staff Attorney at the Barton Child Law and Policy Center, Emilie Cook shares her journey from traditional legal practice to becoming a champion for systemic change. This episode explores how neglect, often rooted in poverty, not abuse, constitutes a significant issue within the child welfare system. We unpack the racial disparities faced by marginalized communities and how preventive measures can address these injustices by offering legal support early on, tackling social determinants of health, and redefining systemic approaches for a more equitable future.
We discuss the effectiveness of the current child welfare system, highlighting the unnecessary trauma caused by child-parent separations. Emily shares insights into the barriers families face, such as housing and resource instability, that can perpetuate involvement in the system. Our discussion is a call to action for community and nonprofit leaders to embrace community-based solutions, fostering resilience and stability rather than perpetuating cycles of trauma and poverty. Emilie's work in Georgia and around the country exemplifies the power of collaboration, as she builds networks to advance preventative advocacy and support families before they reach crisis points.
Emilie's transformative work isn't just theoretical; it's a practical approach to reimagining support systems that serve families better. We explore her efforts in creating a learning cohort dedicated to preventive legal advocacy and discuss the importance of evaluating program outcomes to secure sustainable funding. With a focus on effectiveness, Emily's initiatives demonstrate how legal interventions can address systemic issues like housing instability, proving that change is not only necessary but also achievable. Join us for an episode rich with insights and strategies that challenge the status quo and advocate for a more just and supportive child welfare system.
Guest Bio
Emilie Cook is Senior Staff Attorney at the Barton Child Law & Policy Center at Emory University School of Law in Atlanta, Georgia, where she works on projects to promote and protect the legal interests of children involved with the child welfare, juvenile court, and juvenile justice systems. Through her work in the preventive legal advocacy space, Emilie works with interdisciplinary legal teams and advocates across the country to promote and support the provision of high-quality legal advocacy and upstream support services designed to address the
social determinants of health and protect against the effects of poverty, systemic racism, and other forms of discriminatio
Like what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts!
Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions
How Ann can help:
· Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization.
· Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable.
· Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations.
· Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving.
· Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action.
· Speak at your conference or event.
Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .
Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful.
Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com
Challenging the Systemic Barriers of Poverty: Meet Dr. Donna Beegle
Community Possibilities
Dr. Donna Beegle's remarkable journey from the depths of generational poverty to achieving a doctorate in educational leadership offers a powerful narrative of resilience and hope. Through her story, we unravel the systemic barriers that perpetuate poverty and the transformative power of education and community support. Dr. Beegle's insights challenge us to rethink our approach to poverty, highlighting the critical need for poverty-informed communities and improved communication across social classes.
Join us as we explore the transformative power of language and empathy in dismantling poverty barriers. Through Dr. Beegle's work with the Poverty Immersion Institute and insights from successful initiatives like Amarillo College's poverty-informed mindset, we uncover strategies for fostering a culture of caring and empowerment. From training community leaders to equipping non-profits with evaluation skills, this episode provides actionable insights for creating supportive environments where individuals and communities can thrive.
Guest Bio
Donna Beegle grew up in generational, migrant-labor poverty and was essentially homeless the first 26 years of her life. She is the only member of her family who has not been incarcerated. At 15, she left school to get married and start a family. She had six pregnancies and—with emergency rooms as her only access to health care—only two survived. At 26, she found herself with two children, no husband, little education, few marketable job skills, and no affordable housing. With the help of Community Action and a pilot project, she received stable housing and was able to achieve her GED and—10 years later—her doctorate in Educational Leadership—studying poverty, communication, and education. Dr. Beegle brings an insider perspective of poverty as a health determinant combined with 34 years of working with health providers in all 50 states to increase access to health services and break poverty barriers.
Since 1989, Dr. Beegle has across the nation with people and organizations who want to assist people in moving out and staying out of the war zone of poverty. As president of Communication Across Barriers, a consulting firm dedicated to building poverty-informed communities, Dr. Beegle has designed models and curriculum to directly impact people currently in poverty, as well as professionals who want to make a difference for our neighbors. She has authored four books and training curriculum kits, including See Poverty...Be the Difference, An Action Approach for Educating Students in Poverty, Breaking Poverty Barriers to Equal Justice, and If Not Me, Then Who? Empowering Our Neighbors.
Like what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts!
Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions
How Ann can help:
· Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization.
· Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable.
· Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations.
· Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving.
· Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action.
· Speak at your conference or event.
Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .
Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful.
Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com
Building Bridges Between Research and Community Voices with Dr. Dawn X. Henderson
Community Possibilities
Dr. Dawn X. Henderson makes research accessible for marginalized communities. From her beginnings as a middle school science teacher, to founding We Claim Research, Dawn's journey is filled with inspiring stories and groundbreaking work. Dawn’s commitment to amplifying the voices of racially and ethnically marginalized groups offers a fresh perspective on fostering environments where all narratives are valued.
We share our identities as community psychologists, spotlighting system change and community engagement. Join us as Dawn shares her innovative approach to research collaboration, emphasizing community initiation and leadership. Dawn describes her work with Black mothers who, during the height of COVID-19, reshaped research protocols and presenting their findings at a major conference. Dawn emphasizes humility, openness, and a healing-centered lens. We invite you to embrace the wisdom of communities and the healing potential of curiosity in creating spaces where everyone thrives.
Guest Bio
Dr. Dawn X. Henderson is a Community Psychologist, founder of WeClaim Research (weclaimresearch.com; https://weclaimresearch.com/), and the Director of Participatory Research, Power Building at Village of Wisdom, a nonprofit in Durham, NC. She models making “science and research” accessible to those who have been the most underrepresented and marginalized. As a research scientist, she has used an interdisciplinary lens to position the narratives of racially and ethnically marginalized communities and young people at the center of how science and research happen. Her research has focused on identifying the ecological systems and structures that support and promote positive development for young people and adults. She is the recipient of the American Evaluation Association Graduate Education Diversity Internship, Faculty Select with the Expanding the Bench Initiative sponsored by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Interdisciplinary Research Leaders Fellowship, Division 27, Society for Community Research and Action Leadership Development Fellowship, Division 27’s 2023 Distinguished Contribution to Practice in Community Psychology Award, and 2023 Research-to-Policy Collaboration Scholar Award, Research-to-Policy Collaborative with Pennsylvania State University. As a Community Cultivator and Space Creator, she envisions creating more dream cultivators so that Black and Brown people, their children, and communities thrive.
As always- please like, share and subscribe to the podcast! Extra brownie points if you leave a review!
Lastly, don’t forget to check out the resources page on communityevaluationsolutions.com
Like what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts!
Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions
How Ann can help:
· Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization.
· Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable.
· Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations.
· Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving.
· Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action.
· Speak at your conference or event.
Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .
Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful.
Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com
Fostering Collaboration Through Facilitative Leadership: Meet Karie Terhark
Community Possibilities
Karie Terhark joins us in an enlightening conversation on community empowerment, revealing how her journey as a Technology of Participation (TOP) facilitator has transformed her approach to inclusivity and stakeholder engagement. Her experiences in youth development and working with drug-free communities have shaped her passion for creating spaces where every voice is heard.
Karie transitioned from a directive leader to a facilitative one, using ToP methods to turn conventional meetings into meaningful collaborations. By bringing together diverse groups, Karrie emphasizes the essence of patience and small victories in fostering sustainable community ownership. She shares the strategies that have helped her navigate challenges like turf guarding and resistance, ensuring each community member feels respected and valued.
Learn about the importance of preparation, strategic planning, and the role of environmental scanning in setting a unified organizational direction. Karie's insights into the art of facilitation inspire individuals to lead with authenticity, fostering an environment where communities can thrive. Tune in to learn how you can harness these facilitation techniques to create empowered, inclusive spaces in your community.
Bio
When Karie Terhark reflects on her career, she sees a journey shaped by her deep desire to foster connections and build strong, empowered communities. Her early work in youth development gave her firsthand insight into how vital it is to create spaces where every voice can be heard. This experience ignited her passion for facilitation, which led her to dedicate herself to helping organizations and communities collaborate and achieve their goals.
For Karie, facilitation isn’t just a job—it’s her way of driving meaningful change. Whether she’s working with a small group or facilitating a large-scale public forum, she’s committed to creating brave, inclusive spaces where diverse perspectives are not just welcomed but are valued and feel a sense of belonging. Her work in community engagement has been instrumental in helping people feel empowered to shape their environments positively.
Becoming a Certified Technology of Participation (ToP) Facilitator, and later a ToP® Mentor Trainer, has allowed Karie to not only hone her skills but also to share them with others. Her personal mission is clear: to Empowering individuals to lead through action, unlocking their potential to create lasting impact.
It’s not just what she does, but why she does it that drives her—helping others find their own voice and power through the art of facilitation.
Connect with Karie: https://www.karieterhark.com
Like what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts!
Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions
How Ann can help:
· Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization.
· Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable.
· Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations.
· Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving.
· Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action.
· Speak at your conference or event.
Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .
Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful.
Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com
Transforming Health Equity: A Conversation with Dr. Brandon Wilson of Community Catalyst
Community Possibilities
What if health was a guaranteed right, accessible to everyone regardless of race or background? Join us for an enlightening conversation with Dr. Brandon Wilson from Community Catalyst as we unpack the concept of health equity. Dr. Wilson's journey from Louisiana's Cancer Alley to being a leading advocate for equitable vaccine access is nothing short of inspiring. His personal experiences, including his HIV diagnosis at 17, have fueled his unwavering commitment to public health. Together, we imagine a healthcare system where equity and justice are not mere ideals, but everyday realities.
Dr. Wilson shares why authentic community engagement requires humility and trust and how traditional power structures must evolve to recognize the spaces where real community discussions happen. Dr. Wilson highlights the power of lived experiences and the necessity of multidirectional learning in fostering true community partnerships. His insights are a roadmap for anyone looking to bridge the healthcare gap for marginalized communities.
We also tackle pressing issues such as the decline in public trust within the healthcare system and the essential role of caregivers, especially those in home and community-based services (HCBS). From innovative delivery models to the impact of the pandemic on public health initiatives, this episode outlines strategies for promoting equity and access. We discuss how states can build on existing foundations to improve HCBS and explore how community organizations can be better resourced to sustain their vital work.
Dr. Brandon Wilson
Dr. Brandon G. Wilson, DrPH, MHA, is a transformative leader in health innovation, public health, and equity. Dr. Wilson serves as the Co-Interim President & CEO, alongside Dana Clarke. Dr. Wilson oversees the organization’s health system innovation and community-first public health work and leads the Center for Community Engagement in Health Innovation. This center conducts community-based research to understand how inequities in the U.S. health system drive poor health outcomes for historically excluded communities and drives practice and policy change strategies based on its findings. As a recognized public health advisor, he has made significant contributions to health equity and innovation.
He received a master’s degree in health systems management at George Mason University, and a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) at Morgan State University. He holds a faculty appointment at the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill’s Gillings School of Global Public Health.
Like what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts!
Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions
How Ann can help:
· Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization.
· Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable.
· Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations.
· Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving.
· Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action.
· Speak at your conference or event.
Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .
Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful.
Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com
Leading Using the Seven Directions With Dr. Nicky Bowman
Community Possibilities
Dr. Nicole Bowman joins me to talk about the rich tapestry of traditional knowledge and Indigenous ways of knowing. Nicky, known as the "Blue Collar Scholar," shares her transformative journey as an advocate for culturally responsive and Indigenous research, policy, and evaluation. We dive deep into the necessity of challenging norms and advocating for marginalized communities and the critical need for Indigenous representation and diversity within editorial boards and thought councils. Nikki’s insights on "speaking into the listening" and the balance between radical advocacy and strategic communication are inspiring, emphasizing the importance of understanding one’s positionality amidst prevalent white privilege.
We delve into practical tools for fostering cultural sensitivity and her Seven Directions model, rooted in Indigenous wisdom, serves as a powerful framework for leadership and policy development. Nicky emphasizes the critical role of decolonizing author agreements and integrating language and culture preservation into policy and practice.
Dr. Bowman's Bio
Nicole is a traditional Ndulunaapeewi Kwe (Lunaape woman) and an evaluation innovator whose academic lodge sits at the intersection of traditional knowledge, Tribal sovereignty, and evaluation. She is the President of Bowman Performance Consulting and an Associate Scientist with the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Nicole is a subject matter expert in systems (Nation to Nation), culturally responsive, and Indigenous research, policy, and evaluation. She is AEA’s 2018 Robert Ingle Service Award winner (first Indigenous awardee) and serves on numerous global evaluation or educational journal review boards. including as co-chair of AEA’s Indigenous Peoples in Evaluation Topical Interest Group and a Global Member of both EvalIndigenous and AEA’s International Work Group. Her dissertation is titled Indigenous Educational Policy Development with Tribal Governments: A Case Study.
Contact info:
Social Links:
- BPC’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bpcwi/
- BPC’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bpcwi/
- BPC’s You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/user/bpcwi
- Nicky’s Twitter: @nbpc1
- Nicky’s LinkedIn:
Like what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts!
Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions
How Ann can help:
· Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization.
· Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable.
· Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations.
· Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving.
· Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action.
· Speak at your conference or event.
Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .
Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful.
Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com
Together With Families: A Second Visit with Sarah Winograd Babayeuski
Community Possibilities
Sarah Winograd Babayeuski is a relentless advocate for families involved in the foster care system. Sarah joins me for the second time on the show to update us on the latest transformation of the nonprofit she founded. Together With Families (TWF) harnesses grassroots efforts and community resources to prevent family separations due to poverty.
Sarah's shares the evolution of Together With Families, emphasizing the importance of equity, justice, and active family participation in decision-making. We'll dive into the significance of trusting relationships and the harmful effects of pathologizing poverty and trauma. TWF groundbreaking initiatives like the Parent Ally and design team programs, supported by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, empower families to navigate crises and reduce unnecessary Child Protective Services involvement.
Lastly, we'll tackle the formidable challenges that low-income families face, from housing affordability and inadequate wages to bureaucratic obstacles in accessing essential services. Sarah's is an unexpected journey as a nonprofit executive director. Don't miss this inspiring conversation that promises to deepen your understanding of the complexities and solutions in family advocacy.
Guest Bio
As a missionary kid, Sarah grew up amongst poverty and oppression in the former Soviet Republic of Belarus. After returning to the states with her husband and daughter, she completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology at Kennesaw State University.
A former Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) in the Cobb County Juvenile Court, where for two years Sarah advocated for the best interests of children involved in dependency hearings. SheI was heartbroken to see so many children separated from loving parents for underlying issues of poverty. She is the founder of Together With Families, a nonprofit working to prevent family seperation due to poverty.
Like what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts!
Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions
How Ann can help:
· Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization.
· Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable.
· Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations.
· Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving.
· Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action.
· Speak at your conference or event.
Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .
Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful.
Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com
Building a Resilient Georgia
Community Possibilities
Emily Ann Ball and Audrey Itikata of Resilient Georgia join us to talk about their work with the organization marking its fifth year of dedication to trauma-informed approaches, child wellness and early brain development.
Resilient Georgia combats mental health stigma and supports trauma-informed practices through partnerships with 16 regional coalitions spanning 120 counties. We discuss the varied mental health challenges across urban and rural areas, emphasizing innovative strategies to prevent mental health challenges. Emily and Audrey provide a comprehensive look at the organization's mission, highlighting successful initiatives across Georgia.
We discuss the transformative power of shared language in trauma care and the significance of building resilience through positive childhood experiences. Emily and Audrey stress the importance of community partnerships, accessible resources, and the role of social connections and play in trauma work.
Guest Bios
Emily Anne Vall became Executive Director of Resilient Georgia where she leads the creation of a statewide coalition of trauma-informed organizations by convening diverse private and public partners to create a birth through 26 year old integrated behavioral health system. The statewide coalition includes over 700 stakeholders working to prevent adverse childhoodexperiences (ACEs) and supporthealing through integratedbehavioral health resources andservices. Vall earned her PhD in Physical Education and Health Pedagogy with a cognate in Diversity Studies from the University of South Carolina. She completed her undergraduate teaching degree at Florida Southern College before attending the University of South Florida focusing on physical education and special needs populations.
Audrey Idaikkadar has worked with communities to strategically improve health
and wellness for more than a decade. She believes coalition building and elevating the voices of those most impacted by disparities can help create thriving communities for all. Audrey supports grantees in their coalitional work to prevent and heal childhood adversity, advance trauma informed awareness and care, and promote resilience with children and their families in their communities. Idaikkadar earned her Bachelor of Arts in American Studies with highest honors from the University of California at Berkeley and her Master of Public Health from Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health. She is also a trained oral historian and recently completed her master’s degree in history at Georgia State University.
Resilient Georgia's website.
Like what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts!
Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions
How Ann can help:
· Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization.
· Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable.
· Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations.
· Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving.
· Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action.
· Speak at your conference or event.
Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .
Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful.
Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com
The Heart of Nonprofit Leadership: Meet LaDonna Collins
Community Possibilities
What happens when you prioritize authentic relationships over financial gains in community work? Join us in this enlightening episode of Community Possibilities as we sit down with the inspiring LaDonna Collins. Fresh from her role as executive director of the Rome Floyd County Commission on Children and Youth, LaDonna now brings her transformative vision to the National Family Support Network. LaDonna's story is not just about resilience but the power of meaningful connections in professional growth.
She shares her unique perspective on community work and nonprofit leadership and discuss the significance of building genuine relationships. Her innovative initiatives like "Books, Barbers, and Beauticians" and the engaging "Little Black Dress" event demonstrate how a heart-centered approach can foster thriving, collaborative communities. These stories aren't just feel-good moments; they offer actionable insights for anyone involved in community building, emphasizing that the best outcomes often arise from the most authentic interactions.
Our conversation also delves into the transformative power of strong community partnerships and the crucial role of Family Resource Centers. Learn about the five protective factors that support families and how these centers are making a difference across states and even internationally. LaDonna discusses the challenges and rewards of community leadership, touching on common misconceptions about nonprofit funding and the importance of changing that narrative. This episode is packed with valuable lessons, stories, and the kind of inspiration that can help you make a lasting difference in your own community.
LaDonna's Bio
LaDonna Collins, a native of Rockmart, Georgia serves as the Sr. Training and Standards Implementation Manager for the National Family Support Network which serves as the national coordinating body for Family Resource Centers within the United States & Canada. Until recently, LaDonna served as the Executive Director of Rome Floyd County Commission on Children and Youth.
She is also the owner of Pinnacle Developmental Services, a youth development and mentoring organization. LaDonna is heavily involved in her community. She served on the most recent SPLOST Committee in her community, was the moderator for her local city commission candidate forum, serves on an advisory board for a local university and was recently awarded, Heart of the Community through a local nonprofit. aDonna is married to Eric CollinLs and they have an 8 year old son, Parker, who will be starting 3rd grade this fall at the Montessori School of Rome.
Like what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts!
Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions
How Ann can help:
· Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization.
· Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable.
· Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations.
· Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving.
· Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action.
· Speak at your conference or event.
Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .
Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful.
Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com
Nurses Transforming Healthcare: Meet John Silver
Community Possibilities
Join us on Community Possibilities as John Silver, a registered nurse, shares his vision of a future where healthcare operates as a hybrid public utility, emphasizing the need for multidisciplinary approaches and political advocacy to address systemic issues like access and resource distribution.
John and his collaborators establised Nurses Transforming Healthcare, an organization rallying the nursing community to tackle systemic challenges head-on. The mission of Nurses Transforming Healthcare is "to transform healthcare to a model based on wellness and disease prevention which is affordable and accessible to all." John shares his vision for a future with accessible, well-funded community health centers. Innovative initiatives like the "Flip the Zip" campaign highlight the potential for community engagement to create enduring health improvements. Tune in to learn how individual commitment and community-driven solutions can pave the way for a more equitable and efficient healthcare system.
Bio John Silver
After 24 years in healthcare, including 14 years as a Registered Nurse, Dr. Silver was drawn to the essential problem facing nursing- Why couldn’t Nursing ensure safe levels of practice in facilities, and why was the healthcare system we had so dysfunctional in terms of Public Health outcomes and the neglect of so many communities. John soon realized that the problems were linked. If nursing could not ensure safe levels of practice, and were not actively engaged at the decision tables as to where resources were allocated in the systems, how could Nursing ensure the maximum benefit for our patients would be realized?
The answer lay in the political relationship of nurses to the facilities, and Nursing to the political process. Embarking on a journey of research and discovery in his Public Intellectual Ph.D in Comparative Studies, John published a book just a union…of nurses (2013) about the history of how the California nurses brought about staffing legislation, which he hoped would provide an example of how nurses could become politically effective in their states. He advised several nursing groups on this, including NP’s as they worked towards independent practice and prescriptive authority.
He traveled abroad to study other healthcare systems and developed what he thought the goals of a healthcare system must be. From there he began advocating for the only system design that truly met those goals and addressed the needs of providers, patients, and all our communities- an adapted Public Utility model. Dr. Silver has been working with an innovative interdisciplinary team of people forming Nurses Transforming Healthcare and working to implement the model in the
Like what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts!
Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions
How Ann can help:
· Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization.
· Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable.
· Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations.
· Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving.
· Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action.
· Speak at your conference or event.
Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .
Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful.
Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com
Sowing the Future of Urban Farming and Community Health: Meet Christa Barfield
Community Possibilities
Have you ever stood at the crossroads of career and calling, unsure of which path to take? Christa Barfield didn't just stand at that crossroad; she blazed a trail from a decade-long healthcare profession to revolutionizing urban agriculture. Our latest episode charts Christa’s remarkable pivot, capturing her transformation from burnout to beacon of change. With the birth of Viva Leaf Tea Company and FarmerJawn, Christa has rooted herself deeply in the mission to heal communities through sustainable living and the power of food as medicine.
The seed of inspiration can come from the most unexpected places – for Krista, it was a trip to Martinique. She recounts her pivotal encounter with local Black farmers to establishing FarmerJawn, a name that has become a rallying cry for inclusivity and empowerment within the agricultural scene of Philadelphia. Christa shares some of the challenges and triumphs of intertwining food sovereignty with community development, and the importance of equipping future generations with knowledge to cultivate their own sustainable success.
In this episode, Christa shares FarmerJawn's next step, CornerJawn, which will sow seeds of health in food deserts. The first CornerJawn will open in summer 2024 in Germanton in Northwest Philadelphia. Her approach intertwines business savvy with a profound social impact. The plan is to create partnerships with medical schools, integrating food education with health screenings, to reshape community health one zip code at a time. Tune in as we uncover the layers of Christa Barfield's extraordinary journey and the legacy she is cultivating for urban communities.
Christa's Bio
Christa Barfield is a health-care professional turned farmer and lifelong Philadelphia resident. It was 10 years into her career in health-care administration when her life led her to pursuing health and happiness in a more sustainable way. After a solo trip abroad in January 2018, she returned home inspired to connect with the land, plant life, and social issues that heavily impact Black and brown communities and all people’s perception of food. Her business is a reincarnation of her healthcare career with a focus on regeneration and nutrition security. Now with 128 acres across 3 counties in PA, she has built FarmerJawn with an equitable focus on Food is Medicine and she is leading conversations nationwide on how to take a Farm First approach to America’s relationship with food and health."
Website: https://www.farmerjawn.co/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/farmerjawn_/
Like what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts!
Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions
How Ann can help:
· Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization.
· Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable.
· Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations.
· Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving.
· Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action.
· Speak at your conference or event.
Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .
Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful.
Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com
Shifting Systems to Support Rural Children: Meet Kali Thorne Ladd
Community Possibilities
On this episode of Community Possibilities, Kali Thorne Ladd, Executive Director of the Children's Institute joins me. Kali shares her journey from passionate classroom teacher to a visionary leader, driving policy change to bolster the well-being of children and, subsequently, Oregon communities. I first learned about the Children's Institute when I saw a video sponsored by the Ford Family Foundation about the transformation of the Yoncalla Elementary School. Yoncalla School District leaders and community members, including parents of young children, worked together to reinvent the elementary school’s approach to family and child support. The school now is thriving, drawing families from across the region.
By nurturing genuine partnerships in communities like Yoncalla, the Children's Institute has catalyzed impressive strides in school attendance and literacy rates, demonstrating the unique power rural areas hold in shaping the future of young children.
We talk about the synergies of health services and education through shared leadership and the innovative concept of universal home visiting in Oregon. Kali shares insights on integrating healthcare into schools and strategies for overcoming obstacles that hinder a child's ability to thrive in school. We reflect on the power of cross-sector collaboration and the universal appeal of early childhood issues to unify across political divides. Tune in for an episode that's not just a conversation but a call to action, one that champions the collective responsibility we share in nurturing the potential of our youngest community members.
Kaili's Bio: Previously, Thorne Ladd was the co-founder and executive director of KairosPDX, a culturally specific organization dedicated to eliminating educational opportunity and achievement gaps for historically underserved children. Through that work, and as a visionary leader in multiple capacities in the region, Thorne Ladd has a long track record of working to transform early learning and healthy development for children and families in Oregon. This has included serving as the chair of the board for Portland Community College, serving on Governor Brown’s Early Learning Council, and serving on the board at the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation based in Portland. Kali worked on education strategies in the mayor’s office in the City of Portland and at the Oregon Department of Education. She holds a MA in education policy from Harvard University and a BA in elementary education and psychology from Boston College.
Like what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts!
Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions
How Ann can help:
· Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization.
· Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable.
· Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations.
· Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving.
· Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action.
· Speak at your conference or event.
Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .
Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful.
Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com
Community Development Using a Trauma-Informed Approach: Meet Dr. Tasha Parker
Community Possibilities
In this episode of Community Possibilities, Dr. Tasha Parker shares her story and work as community psychologist and liscenced clinical social worker. Tasha's personal story influences her approach to collaborative systems change, challenging the popular yet insufficient concepts of 'resiliency' and 'grit'. Our conversation navigates the intersection of equity, trauma-informed community development, and intersectionality, unveiling the necessity for spaces that dismantle hidden power structures and champion genuine inclusion.
This episode for anyone devoted to community engagement and equity, offering practical strategies for community collaboration. We discuss how to maintain a trauma-informed lens and advocate for equity across all community engagement phases. Dr. Parker provides insights for creating trauma-informed communities that redistribute power, ensuring those affected by policies are leading the charge in decision-making processes. Join us and be part of the conversation that reshapes how communities foster resilience, equity, and transformation.
Dr. Tasha Parker's Bio
Dr. Tasha Parker is an experienced professional based in Wichita, Kansas. With over 17 years of experience in mental and behavioral health, social justice, and youth development, she is the founder and principal community consultant at the Institute of Development, LLC. Her specialties include trauma-informed, resiliency-informed, liberatory, cultural responsiveness, and equitable approaches. She is also privileged to spend one day a week sitting and supporting clients on their personal journeys, providing clinical therapy. Dr. Parker holds a Ph.D. in Community Psychology, a Master of Public Administration focused on Nonprofit Management and Finance, and a Master of Social Work.
Dr. Parker's diverse skill set includes research and evaluation, group facilitation, prevention, program development, and implementation. She is passionate about collaborative systems change rooted in equity and cultural humility. Believing that the true currency for sustainable systemic changes is rooted in equity, liberation, cultural and intellectual humility, and harm reduction.
Contact Dr. Parker:
https://www.tashaparker.com/
The quickest way to reach Dr. Parker is: tashap@tashaparker.com
Like what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts!
Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions
How Ann can help:
· Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization.
· Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable.
· Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations.
· Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving.
· Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action.
· Speak at your conference or event.
Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .
Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful.
Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com
Everyone's Story Deserves to Be Heard: Meet Arielle Galinsky of the Legacy Project
44:01
Your Rights Are Your Shield: Courtney Teasley's Proactive Approach to Justice
1:02:35
How to Create Authentic Community Engagement
43:10
Prove It! Without Killing Your Creative Soul: Meet Kelly Feltault and Hannah Jacobson Blumenfeld
56:53
How Farm to ECE Programs Help Grow Healthy Kids: Meet Dr. Emia Oppenheim
49:45
Nonprofit Leadership with Brooke Richie-Babbage: Building Resilient Organizations in Challenging Times
51:09
The Invisible Safety Net: Understanding Kinship Care with Amanda Klein-Cox
51:36
The Urban CEO: How Dr. Dominique Johnson Builds Community Champions
49:50
Philanthropy's Moment of Truth and Opportunity: A Conversation with Dr. Nina Sabarre
56:57
Building Resilient Communities Through Trauma-Informed Policy and Practice: Meet Jesse Kohler Kohler
51:42
From Family Medicine to Public Health Leadership: Meet Dr. Jimmie Smith
42:47
Building Resilient Communities: Darice Oppong's Journey of Trauma-Informed Leadership
1:05:33
Transforming Child Welfare Through Preventative Legal Advocacy: Meet Emilie Cook
59:13
Challenging the Systemic Barriers of Poverty: Meet Dr. Donna Beegle
1:02:17
Building Bridges Between Research and Community Voices with Dr. Dawn X. Henderson
1:00:41
Fostering Collaboration Through Facilitative Leadership: Meet Karie Terhark
56:22
Transforming Health Equity: A Conversation with Dr. Brandon Wilson of Community Catalyst
53:41
Leading Using the Seven Directions With Dr. Nicky Bowman
1:04:27
Together With Families: A Second Visit with Sarah Winograd Babayeuski
1:00:02
Building a Resilient Georgia
49:56
The Heart of Nonprofit Leadership: Meet LaDonna Collins
58:02
Nurses Transforming Healthcare: Meet John Silver
1:02:09
%20(1).jpeg)
Sowing the Future of Urban Farming and Community Health: Meet Christa Barfield
45:01
Shifting Systems to Support Rural Children: Meet Kali Thorne Ladd
50:44
Community Development Using a Trauma-Informed Approach: Meet Dr. Tasha Parker
48:16