Restorers: A Water Street Podcast
Talking to experts, investigating current issues, and sharing stories and news all related to homelessness and poverty in Lancaster and beyond. Ultimately, we believe each person is made in the image of God and is deserving of dignity and value. Join us as we lift up the struggles and stories of our marginalized neighbors, and explore what it means to be restored.
Episodes
24 episodes
A Conversation With Pulitzer Prize Winning Author Matthew Desmond on Homelessness
"Poverty is a deep, deep problem and should have deep, deep solutions to it."Tune in as Princeton Sociologist and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Matthew Desmond and Water Street's President Jack Crowley discuss poverty, homelessness and ...
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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32:19
Youth Homelessness in Lancaster, PA
Nationally, there were over 34,000 unaccompanied youth that were counted as homeless during the national count last year. That means we're seeing 18, 19, 20 year-olds living on the streets, living in abandoned buildings, living in ...
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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23:52
Solutions to The Affordable Housing Crisis in Lancaster
The growing scarcity of affordable housing is a pressing issue in Lancaster County. Low vacancy rates along with rental rates jumping significantly in the last couple of years, we know solutions to the affordable housing crisis are not going to...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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27:13
The Affordable Housing Crisis in Lancaster
"211 is like the 911 for health & human services, and above and beyond, over half of our calls are housing related right now," Kate Zimmerman says. "And if you're in this critical place with your housing needs, there are other things ...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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26:52
The State of Drug Addiction and Recovery in Lancaster
As a father, I can tell you, "I longed to be restored to my son," John says. After his son got caught up in the opioid epidemic and nearly lost his life, John Roberts started R3 Recovery House in Lancaster to offer sober livi...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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26:32
Can Homelessness Be Positive?
If you were to ask someone what it was like to experience homelessness, you probably wouldn't expect a positive response. But when we sat down with some of our guests in the residential program at Water Street, that's exactly what we heard.&nbs...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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21:04
Stepping into a Shelter
Stepping through the doors of Water Street's shelter for the first time, what does that feel like? In this episode of the Restorers Podcast, we'll hear about the experiences and challenges of coming to a shelter and what building trust lo...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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22:43
How to Help Someone on The Streets
As the largest service provider to men and women experiencing homelessness in Lancaster, we often hear the question, "what do I do when I meet someone experiencing homelessness?" Do I give money, food, or other supplies?
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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23:09
Homeless on the Streets of Lancaster
What is it like to live on the streets, particularly in a small city like Lancaster, PA? In this episode, we'll hear firsthand accounts from guests of Water Street Mission, who know what it's like to live in this "whole other world." We examine...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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28:57
It's the People Like That
Without people you trust, life can lead you down some challenging roads. Today's episode centers on the story of a former Water Street guest who found himself exactly where he didn't want to be, in large part because of the people around h...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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25:46
Working Myself to Death
Work is often touted as the solution to homelessness, but is that really the case? Today we're going to hear the story of a guest who fell into a negative cyclical pattern, linked strongly to his work life. We'll examine what role that played i...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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24:22
It's a Spider's Web - Sharon's Story
Have you ever been in a situation where you felt stuck? Where you didn't know how to get out? In our latest episode, we explore one woman's story of feeling trapped and ending up without a home. But we also share how she made it out of that spi...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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27:40
FAQ's
For our final episode of season 1, we decided to change up our routine, and address some of your frequently asked questions!This episode once again features Jack Crowley, President of Water Street Mission in Lancaster, PA, alongside Ron...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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40:55
Spiritual Health and Homelessness
Many have preconceived notions of what chapel or spiritual care looks like at missions across the country. Some think we’re holding food and shelter ransom in return for going to classes or chapel or delivering harsh sermons where pastors are c...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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45:00
Life Skills & Finance
Life Skills include many topics, like cooking and maintaining a house, balancing your checkbook, or navigating transportation.In this episode, we'll look more deeply at one key life skill: Finances.Jack Crowley sits down with Eu...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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38:22
The Significance Of Community Supports For Those Experiencing Homelessness
We all know how it feels to be alone and conversely, to be connected. In this episode we examine the struggles of going at it alone and how important a supportive community -- family, friends, churches, social service organization...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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40:27
The Complications of Career For Those Experiencing Poverty and Homelessness
This month’s podcast episode hits another hot button topic: Homelessness and jobs! We hear it a lot, “why don’t they just get a job?” If only it were so simple!On this episode of the Restorers Podcast, Vanessa Philbert, CEO o...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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42:25
The Affordable Housing Problem And Its Ties To Homelessness
In this episode of the Restorers Podcast, we take a closer look at housing! Of course, when you think of homelessness, it’s natural to think of lack of housing. But what is it actually like to try to get an apartment, while yo...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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45:33
Physical Health and Homelessness
It's clear that physical health and homelessness are linked, but how exactly do they interact?For many, a bad accident or injury can catapult someone into a world of homelessness, and for others, dealing with ongoing poverty and lack of...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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35:05
Exploring The Roots Of Homelessness and Introducing Our Whole Person Model
What can lead people to be on the street varies from person to person. It can be as personal as a lack of relational equity or encountering a major health event, or it could be more systemic, such as the inability to find affordabl...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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39:16
Rethinking Emergency Shelter
Typically emergency shelter consists of inviting someone in during the afternoon, giving them a place to stay and a meal, and then releasing them back on the streets the following morning. We examine this model and how some missions, incl...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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48:57
The Process of Stabilization
Stabilization is the process of gradually helping someone who is in a state of high alert and panic, to come down and recognize they are in a safe place. This process is highly important to emergency shelters because experiencing h...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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38:18
The Importance of Connection
Connection and relationships often play a key part in both how people fall into homelessness, and in how to help them journey out of it. In today's episode, we'll be talking with Jenn Koppel, Director of LancoMy Home, as well as Dan...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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35:23
Welcoming Those In Need Through Our Doors
When individuals and families come in off the street, there’s a world behind them and a world ahead. We’ll hear from New York Relief’s Josiah Hakin and a Water Street Life Coach (and former guest) as they discuss the importance of this f...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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34:45
