Voices of Hope: Youth Mental Health in Connecticut
The Kids In Crisis podcast delves into critical conversations on youth mental health in Connecticut, offering insights into mental health support in schools, 24/7 services for families, and emergency shelter for children in need. Each episode highlights real stories, expert advice, and resources available to ensure every child has access to care and a safe space during their most challenging times
Voices of Hope: Youth Mental Health in Connecticut
Compassionate Hearts: Caring for Animals and Children
This episode features an interview with Kirsten Mende, the Co-Founder and CEO of Lucky Dog Refuge in Stamford, Connecticut, and a dedicated Kids In Crisis volunteer. Mende discusses her passion for helping vulnerable populations, especially children and animals, and how her work with both has informed her understanding of compassion and advocacy.
Listeners will:
- Learn about the inspiring work of both Lucky Dog Refuge, which has saved over 900 dogs since 2020, and Kids In Crisis, an organization dedicated to providing crucial mental health support and safe spaces for children.
- Discover how Mende's early experiences in youth advocacy, including her work in the policy office for former First Lady Laura Bush, shaped her commitment to child welfare.
- Gain insights into the shared empathy between those who love animals and those who work to protect children, as both groups strive to support those who cannot help themselves.
- Hear about the importance of mental health support for children, especially given the added pressures of social media, and how Kids In Crisis provides real-time services to address this growing need.
Join us as we explore the powerful intersection of animal rescue and child advocacy, and learn how one woman's dedication to both is making a lasting difference in the lives of those who need it most.