Rescuers radio show

Stefanie Calens is on the front lines of helping victims of sex trafficking in a ground-breaking program, the nation’s first family two-year transitional housing model for adult female victims of sex trafficking and their minor children. She is the community engagement liaison for the Arizona State University Office of Sex Trafficking Intervention Research (STIR), bringing both spiritual depth and a relentless commitment to justice, to connect and advocate for those who need to know that their voice matters. She leads awareness and prevention trainings in the area of human trafficking which encompasses both sex and labor. An ASU survey found that about one in three of homeless young adults are victims of sex trafficking. Once they are rescued out of that situation, these victims have unique needs, different from other homeless young adults. That’s where the ground-breaking Phoenix Starfish Place is able to help. A partnership between ASU’s STIR program and the City of Phoenix, Starfish Place is not an emergency shelter, but a transitional housing community providing a safe and healthy home for sex trafficking survivors and their families, where they are treated with dignity and respect. This a place to renew their spirit, learn essential life skills and begin recovery. Its name is inspired by the story of a child walking along the beach, throwing beached starfish back into the ocean. When asked why they do that when there are so many starfish, they can’t possibly make a difference, this child looks at the starfish in her hand, and replies, “I made a difference in the life of this one.” This is where an academic program researching human trafficking meets real life, with real stories about real human beings. And real stories about healing. Click here to learn more about www.sextraffickinghelp.com and www.labortraffickinghelp.com Original air date: May 15, 2025.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Bob Fauer tended patients for 40 years as a family physician, much of that time in upscale Scottsdale, AZ. In 2011, he also began serving a different clientele – the homeless in Phoenix – during the Occupy Movement, protesting the gaping economic inequality in our country. He began by driving the streets and alleyways of Phoenix, handing out money and supplies to those in need. Realizing his medical skills could be put to better use, he began searching for organizations that would help him make that happen. In 2021, he was contacted by Street Medicine Phoenix, a student-led organization from the College of Public Health at the University of Arizona. He began volunteering with them, and the group grew quickly, fueled with student volunteers from the medical schools at U of A, Arizona State University, Creighton, Mayo Clinic, and the Midwestern schools of optometry and veterinary medicine. Bob ultimately retired from his medical practice, and is now medical director of the organization. He is also a member of the international Street Medicine Institute, with hundreds of chapters over six continents. He is making a difference not just in the lives of the unhoused he is helping, but in hundreds of medical students as they learn the value of service. Click here to learn more about Street Medicine Phoenix: https://streetmedphx.wixsite.com/uarizona Original air date: May 8, 2025.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Open the door and the warm aroma of coffee welcomes you. There are couples in animated conversation; friends playing games; and small groups in deep discussion. There may be musicians tucked in the corner. It feels like home. That was the goal for Amie Pierone, founding director of the Eden Tea and Coffee House on the edge of the Arizona State University campus. With a degree in mathematics and an MBA, she entered the corporate world where she excelled. Then she was compelled to create a coffeehouse as an outreach opportunity for students and the surrounding community. It was her calling. Eden is located in a historic craftsman home, complete with creaky floors and a forest of plants flourishing in the sunlit room. The Hiebert House, built in 1914, is part of the Campus Christian Center (C3) welcoming and loving all who pass through the doors, regardless of their faith, background, or experiences. Here they find peace. Here they find home. Click here to learn more about the Eden Tea and Coffee House: https://edenteacoffee.org/ Original air date: May 1, 2025.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark Upton shares a vision with the organization he leads: a future in which every child is loved and nurtured in a Christ-centered family. Christian Family Care helps both kids and families live their best lives through a rich collection of impactful programs, including not just adoption and foster care assistance, but also counseling for adults, children and families; Hand in Hand Pregnancy Counseling; and the STRONG Families for Children prevention program. There is also the Family Care Learning center that provides online courses for parents; Family Care KIDS early childhood learning center, mentor programs for both youth and adults; and coaching for individuals and families. Mark and his team dedicate themselves in the calling to empower families and transform communities to make a better tomorrow. Click here to learn more about Christian Family Care: https://cfcare.org/ Original air date: April 24, 2025.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aaron Higginbotham is an athlete’s athlete. In high school, he excelled in football, wrestling, and track, and had a stellar career on the gridiron for the University of Arizona. His love for sports is eclipsed only by his love for Christ. Today, as state director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) in Arizona, he helps engage, equip and empower coaches and athletes to know and grow in Christ and lead others to do the same. Started 70 years ago, the organization sponsors gatherings including “huddles,” small group devotion studies, and FCA Camps, a time of “inspiration and perspiration.” Click here to learn more about the Fellowship of Christian Athletes: https://www.fca.org/ Original air date: April 17, 2025.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The world is full of caring people who want to help, and there are certainly many people who need that help. Sometimes the challenge is getting those two groups together. The CarePortal is designed to connect compassionate people to help meet the needs of kids and families in crisis. It works with the local church and others to let them know about the vetted, urgent needs of individual families in their community. Adam Kemper is pastor of Northwest Community Friends Church, but he also serves as the southern Arizona Regional Manager for CarePortal. The organization believes that children belong in the care of healthy, loving families, and that families should be supported by their local church and caring members of their community. This philosophy – established by their parent organization, The Global Orphan Project, puts the child at the center of everything they do. Part of that is an app that allows professionals serving children to type specific needs of families they work with into a database. Alerts are instantly emailed/texted to responders in the area who determine if they can commit to providing the tangible items, relational support, or child placement assistance that is needed. Adam shares how more than half of the requests entered into CarePortal receive a response in less than 48 hours. It may be something you or your church may want to be a part of. Click here to learn more about CarePortal: https://www.careportal.org/ Original air date: April 10. 2025.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People suffering severe burns deal with the pain of healing and the resulting PTSD, sometimes for years. The Arizona Burn Foundation is there to support them and their families through the entire time, through recovery until they no longer identify as a victim, but as a human being of intrinsic value and worth. Rex Albright has been a nonprofit leader for 19 years for chambers of commerce, Dignity Health East Valley Foundation, and the Phoenix Symphony. But it’s in his current role as CEO of the Arizona Burn Foundation that he’s found his calling. The foundation provides assistance in three ways: Prevent: Providing and installation smoke alarms in high-risk homes, including specialized alarms for the deaf and hard of hearing; donating 2,400 smoke alarms to 25 fire departments for them to install where needed; reaching more than 50,000 children each year through the Milo & Moxie safety education program. Survive: Supporting new burn survivors with resources and client care services, including providing lodging for families outside the Phoenix area for emergencies, clinic visits, and procedures. Thrive: Providing life-changing social gatherings, holiday, parties and camps for survivors and their families, and therapy groups, peer support groups, and parent/caregiver support groups. Their services extend beyond the state’s boundaries. When a New Year’s fireworks explosion in Hawaii this year killed four people and badly injured nearly two dozen more, the Hawaii burn center was overwhelmed. Six of the survivors were flown 3,000 miles to the mainland on a military plane equipped with necessary medical facilities to Arizona for treatment. The Arizona Burn Foundation provided accommodations for 20 family members of the survivors. Click here to learn more about the Arizona Burn Foundation: https://azburn.org/ Original air date: April 3, 2025.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The local church cares for the community. But who helps the pastors and staff of the local church be the best they can be? Jeff Gokee is the executive director of PHOENIX/ONE, an organization he helped form to unify the local church through care and connection. The goal is to help church staff and their spouses be healthier through a wide range of innovative services. There’s the LOVEWELL app that tracks personal and organization health metrics. In just 90 seconds once a week, team members answer a brief anonymous questionnaire to track issues like personal burnout, average nightly sleep, connection with vision and mission and other factors to assess how the team is really doing. Then that data is used to create an Active Care Plan. PHOENIX/ONE also provides mentoring and mental health professional references, and event support for conferences, team retreats, training and consulting. Click here to learn more about PHOENIX/ONE: https://www.phx1.org/ Original air date: March 27, 2025.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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The children know her as Miss Debbie, and for two hours every day after school, she has a live call-in radio show that reaches kids across the nation. Her listeners eagerly call in their answers to the Bible quiz question of the day to win a prize, and quote the Bible verse of the day they’ve memorized. Adults know her as Deborah Eckelbarger. Her pastor father started a Christian station in Lake Havasu, AZ in 1983 when she was just 7, and after her personal “walk in the wilderness,” Miss Debbie has been using the show as a way to teach young listeners to find life answers in the Bible. The voice of one young caller – maybe early elementary school age – comes on, and Miss Debbie announces they’re going to play a game called “Friend or Foe?” She says, “Lucifer.” Without hesitation, the voice on the other end says “Foe.” Miss Debbie says, “Saul of Tarsus.” The young caller answers, “Foe, because he’s not Paul yet.” Her passion is in teaching children how to develop a personal relationship with Christ, knowing that the lessons they learn at a young age will shape their lives for years to come. Click here to learn more about Treehouse One: https://www.knlb.com/treehouse-one or download the mobile app “Your Celebration Radio Network” to listen live 3-5 p.m. MST. Original air date: March 13, 2025.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He remembers delivering newspapers from the back of a truck as a kid in the ‘70s, and 50 years later, he’s still with The Arizona Informant. Cloves Campbell, Jr. continues the family legacy as the paper’s publisher, serving as a voice for the Black community in the state. The credo of the Black Press across the country is that America can best lead the world away from racial and national antagonisms when it accords to every person, regardless of race, color or creed, full human and legal rights. As a publication, The Arizona Informant highlights positive things that happen in our community, and the achievements and accomplishments of the Black community. While the Informant is a publication about the Black community, it is written for anyone who wants to learn about Black history and heritage in Arizona. In addition to the paper, Cloves continued another family tradition. His dad, Cloves Campbell, Sr., was Arizona’s first Black state senator. Cloves Jr. went on to serve in the state House of Representatives, and has led delegations to Africa, China, and Germany, to talk about the Black press, and create greater opportunities for Black people in those countries. Ultimately, Cloves and the Arizona Informant pledge to follow the Black Press Credo: Hating no person, fearing no person, the Black Press strives to help every person in the firm belief that all are hurt as long as anyone is held back. Click here to learn more about The Arizona Informant: https://azinformant.org/ Original air date: March 6, 2025.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He’s written more than 70 books. He led one of the most historic churches in Chicago for 36 years. And he is respected as a speaker – on the air, in the pulpit, and around the world. Dr. Erwin Lutzer has touched perhaps the most lives through his writing, addressing issues and questions with books such as “One Minute After You Die,” How to Say No to a Stubborn Habit,” “Hitler’s Cross,” “Failure: The Back Door to Success,” “Who Are You to Judge?” and his most recent, “The Eclipse of God.” To hear Dr. Lutzer's radio programs and learn more, click here: https://www.moodymedia.org/authors/authors/erwin-lutzer/ Original air date: February 27, 2025.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The world’s first food bank. Those are startling words, and the story behind them is both encouraging and inspiring. Jerry Brown – who served as a sportswriter in Arizona for 25 years before joining St. Mary’s Food Bank as the organization's first director of public relations – shares that story and his own journey. St. Mary’s feeds 250,000 people EACH DAY, across 76,000 square miles in the state through partnering with more than 700 agencies. Through efficiencies and purchasing power developed through the years, they have the capability to turn a $1 donation into five meals. They partner with food pantries, homeless shelters, meal centers, domestic violence shelters, afterschool programs for at-risk kids, low-income senior living centers and others. Click here to learn more about St. Mary’s Food Bank: https://www.stmarysfoodbank.org/ Original air date: February 20, 2025.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cindy DeMaio noticed one night her daughter Rachel's bedroom light was on much later than it should have been for a school night. When she opened the door, she rushed to hold Rachel just before the 17-year-old took her final breath. Her parents knew Rachel had been drawn into the world of drugs, and were struggling to find her the help she needed. But the cocaine she took that night was laced with carfentanil, said to be 100 times more potent than fentanyl and 10,000 times more powerful than morphine. Determined to help prevent other families suffer the loss of a child, Cindy founded Rachel’s Angels, a nonprofit with the mission of discouraging kids from experimenting with drugs through education & awareness. Her efforts have led to school presentations given by student ambassadors and awareness billboards throughout the country, using photos of teens who lost their lives to drugs. Click here to learn more about Rachel’s Angels: https://rachelsangels.org/ Original air date: February 13, 2025.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Life has it challenges. Sometimes, a person can have more than what seems like their fair share. Some might say that about Rhonda Cagle. She’s lived through the loss of her husband, just 18 days following his cancer diagnosis. She nearly lost her daughter. She fell in love and married again, only to come close to losing her husband to COVID. And she herself is a survivor of Stage III breast cancer. Yet despite the challenges, Rhonda has done remarkable things for the community and for education as the founder and president of Leverage Consulting Agency. She works with public school systems to help them grow, thrive, and succeed. She is a board member at the Mayo Clinic, focusing on cancer research and screening. She is a volunteer member of the Board of Contributors for The Arizona Republic, writing about K-12 education. She’s a loving mom to three adult children … and two rescue dogs. She encourages others to think about how their daily work and lives can be an opportunity for creating positive impact. Click here to learn more about Leverage Consulting Agency: https://leverageconsultingagency.com/ Original air date: February 6, 2025.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Arthur Mobley has been a part of the broadcasting industry for the past 50 years, and during that time he’s touched thousands of lives. From his time on the air in front of a mic, to starting the first black-owned radio station in Phoenix, having an inventor’s mind, being a civil rights advocate and creating innovative programs in advertising and management, he has left an indelible mark on local history. He’s always had a passion for sharing his experience in the industry with others, be they school-aged students or young professionals. He’s also a photographer, a sculptor, a successful entrepreneur ... and a world-changer. Original air date: January 30, 2025. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark Householder was a member of the University of Cincinnati football team when he attended his first Athletes in Action meeting on campus. It changed his life. Today, he’s president of the organization, changing other lives not just in the U.S., but around the world. Athletes in Action (AIA) is a global sports ministry, building spiritual movements through the platform of sport. Athletes experience brokenness both personally and as part of the sport culture. They also have unmatched influence in their communities and around the globe. By serving, training, and sending athletes as influencers into the world, AIA builds spiritual movements, with the goal of making sure all people get the opportunity to know someone who truly follows Jesus. Click here to learn more about Athletes in Action: https://athletesinaction.org/ Original air date: January 23, 2025.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Picture a terrified lost dog, darting in and out of traffic, sleeping under brush in the desert, driven by fear to the point where it won’t allow anyone near. Its flight drive is so powerful it doesn’t even recognize its owner. Enter H.A.R.T.T. – the Humane Animal Rescue and Trapping Team, a volunteer-based Arizona nonprofit that finds and captures lost family pets, homeless dogs, and stray cats who are severely injured. H.A.R.T.T.'s team of more than 100 trained volunteers specialize in humanely trapping shy and skittish pets who can't be rescued through traditional means. Cheryl Naumann started the organization in 2017. A long-time animal welfare advocate whose experience including serving as president and CEO of the Arizona Humane Society, she also runs a luxury pet boarding service with her husband in North Phoenix. She puts long hours in for her “day job” as a human resources executive for a large national corporation, but finds time outside of work hours to be not only HARTT’s founder, but one of its most prolific volunteers, personally rescuing nearly 1,000 animals since 2012. The equipment and techniques she’s developed have been so successful, Cheryl now leads humane trapping workshops twice a year and has taught the skills to more than 600 people across the U.S. and in five other countries. Click here to learn more about HARTT: https://azhartt.org/ Original air date: January 16, 2025.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For nearly 50 years, Child Crisis Arizona has not only been there to support the community’s most vulnerable children experiencing abuse or neglect, but also to help strengthen families, build resiliency and prevent crisis situations. Torrie Taj leads the organization with a passion to break the cycle of child abuse and neglect, both by providing children and youth a safe environment, and creating strong and successful families. Child Crisis Arizona programs are designed to provide a continuum of support. They include: Emergency Children’s Shelters for kids ages 2 through 10. A group home providing wraparound care for teenage boys in the foster care system A refugee resettlement program. Foster care and adoption programs. Early education services Counseling Resource Distribution Center, Diaper Bank, and Kids’ Closets Safe Kids and drowning prevention programs Whispering Hope Ranch for youth, teens and adults with disabilities. Click here to learn more about Child Crisis Arizona: www.childcrisisaz.org Original air date: January 9, 2025.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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LaKisha Deon and her husband were living at an air force base in the United Kingdom 13 years ago when she felt a calling to join God in transforming cities around the world. Three years later when the couple moved to Arizona, she learned about 4Tucson, a nonprofit designed to unite and mobilize Christians as they addressed systemic problems in the city. Today, as the organization’s CEO, she oversees initiatives like the Adopta Program, a framework that makes it easy for individuals and organizations to collect items for specific needs around the city, ranging from hygiene, to furnishings, food, kitchen needs and more. Other programs include collaboration breakfasts based on specific defined needs to kids’ programs, financial education, neighborhood market days, and the CarePortal, an online platform that clearly identifies needs in the community to facilitate families, organizations and churches to help effectively and efficiently. Click here to learn more about 4Tucson: https://4tucson.com/ Original air date: December 26, 2024.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inseong Kim is a woman with many talents and many passions, but they all focus on changing lives for Christ. Born in Seoul, she came to the U.S. at 23, and earned a B.S. in actuarial science from The Ohio State University, and recently completed the Harvard Executive Business Analytics program. Her heart though, is rooted in her faith. She is working toward a degree in Biblical and Theological Studies from Phoenix Seminary. She offers hope and encouragement to those who are hurting, whether it is parents who have lived through abortion of a child, people who struggle with their cultural identity, or women who need to believe in and value themselves. Inseong is the author of three books, a radio host, and an accomplished oil painter. Click here to learn more about Inseong: https://www.inseongkim.org/ Original air date: December 19, 2024.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marc Lucas has made a career as a pastor and a speaker. Over the past 20 years he has listened to men share about their needs and challenges, and helped them to find solutions and peace. Ultimately he realized his true calling was as a faith-based mentor and coach for families. In a culture that demands we conform, perform, be cut-throat competitive, strive to “pull ourselves up by our bootstraps,” and be dependent solely on our own strength, Marc is committed to breaking men free from anything that holds them back from happiness. Like many, he himself has overcome anger issues, addiction, anxiety and many other struggles in his effort to become the best father and husband he could be. Click here to learn more about Legacy Ministries International: https://legacyfamilyministries.com/ Original air date: December 12, 2024.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sarah Levin has always felt called both to serve others, and to work in the medical field. It's been her dream to combine both, and she's been able to do that in her 18-year career at the Muscular Dystrophy Association. In her role as National Vice President of Community Events, Levin serves with the #1 voluntary health organization in the United States for people living with neuromuscular diseases. This covers not only more than 10 types of muscular dystrophies, but motor neuron diseases including ALS, ion channel diseases, mitochondrial diseases, myopathies, neuromuscular diseases, peripheral nerve diseases and more. Visit their website at https://www.mda.org/disease/list to learn more. The services MDA offers are for those diagnosed, their families, and for researchers in the constant search for ways to combat the diseases and their symptoms. Click here to learn more about the Muscular Dystrophy Association: https://www.mda.org/ Original air date: December 5, 2024.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He's been called one of the best athletes to ever play the game of football. But J.D. Hill's greatest accomplishments were still before him. J.D. excelled not just in football, but also lettered in baseball and track in college, an NCAA record that still stands today. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills and also played for the Detroit Lions. But after his pro career came years of personal struggle and addiction to crack cocaine that led to loss of his three sons and wife of 20 years. That could have been the tragic end of his story. But it wasn't. He found his way back to faith, restored relationships and a purpose for living in helping change and save the lives of others. Today he shares his story of redemption and how God helped change his life from a mess into a ministry. J.D.'s ministry is Catch the Vision, and you're invited to check out his book, Go Long - With a Little Help from my Friends: The Story of JD Hill. Original air date: December 21, 2023. Rebroadcast November 28, 2024.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every life matters. Yet once every 11 minutes, someone in the U.S. takes their own life. As president of the board of directors for the Arizona Suicide Prevention Coalition, Nikki Kontz leads the charge in providing resources and education to support individuals, families, and communities impacted by suicide. The organization is comprised of a diverse group of mental health leaders, educators, healthcare professionals, survivors, and concerned citizens, all committed to making a positive impact on suicide prevention. Nikki has dedicated her life to saving the lives of others. Starting as a teen peer counselor during high school, this has been her calling and her mission. Click here to learn more about The Arizona Suicide Prevention Coalition: https://www.azspc.org/ Original air date: November 21, 2024.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's estimated nearly 7 million Americans have Alzheimer's, and the ripple effects of the disease impacts families from all walks of life. As executive director of the Alzheimer's Association – Desert Southwest Chapter, Terri Spitz is on the front lines of battling the disease and working to accelerate global research, drive risk reduction and early detection, and maximize quality care and support. The organization offers tremendous services both to those diagnosed with Alzheimer's and the caregivers who help them. Their website is a treasure trove of information and services. This is a show you won't want to miss if you or a loved one is impacted by Alzheimer's. Click here to learn more about the Alzheimer's Association: https://www.alz.org/ Original air date: November 14, 2024.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kelli O'Toole has dedicated her career to serving others. From working at Central Arizona Shelter Services to  being COO for STARS (Scottsdale Training and Rehabilitation Services), she has found her passion and her calling in working to help those with intellectual and developmental disabilities as CEO of The Opportunity Tree. The organization has touched lives for 60 years – there are 75 people who have been members more than 30 years – with services including: Employment Services Adult Day Programs – These opportunities help build community, engage in meaningful programming, and build life skills. Youth Programs – Kids are offered trips, adventures, and on-campus events, as they build life and employment skills. Community Living Programs – Group homes and in-home supports focus on helping participants become part of the community around them and work toward independent living. Click here to learn more about The Opportunity Tree: https://theopportunitytree.org/ Original air date: November 7, 2024.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Johnson says his greatest joy in life is inspiring men to take their walk with Christ seriously. He is also a student at Phoenix Seminary and when people ask what his goals are he says he wants to become a better foot-washer. And why does he call himself “the worst men's ministry volunteer ever?” Tune in and find out! Original air date: October 31, 2024See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Josie Brandon had a profound spiritual encounter at age 7 that would be the foundation of her life calling. Today, she uses her gifts to help people break free from trauma, brokenness, and repeating life patterns from abuse to addiction. Josie provides a safe, judgment-free space for participants to discover self-love and the love of God. Click here to learn more about Pain to Promise workshops: www.paintopromiseworkshops.com Original air date: October 24, 2024.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Patti Luttrell was starting a great career as a pediatric nurse when she overheard a family in the hospital who had just lost their young daughter to cancer. In the midst of their heart-wrenching grief, they were also burdened by not having the gas money to make the two-hour drive back to their home. She started thinking about all the ways families whose children were dealing with cancer struggled with financial needs. Then in 2005, using proceeds from a garage sale and her daughter Jenny's vision to host a fashion show, the Children's Cancer Network started in earnest.  Today, CCN is a $1.4 million philanthropic organization benefiting Arizona cancer families on a daily basis. The nonprofit provides everything from gas and grocery cards to wigs, health and wellness activities, adopt-a-family programs, college scholarships, networking opportunities, support programs, and more. Click here to learn more about the Children's Cancer Network: www.childrenscancernetwork.org Original air date: October 17, 2024.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Arizona has the 12th highest poverty rate in the country – more than 19 percent of the state's children live in poverty. Kelly McGowan leads an organization designed to not only help those who need it most, but works to prevent poverty in families throughout the state. Originally known as the Community Action Association when the organization started in 1967, Kelly led the effort six years ago to rebrand CAA as Wildfire: Igniting Community Action to End Poverty in Arizona. That means a wealth of projects. Wildfire partners with nearly 300 other community agencies to address the causes and consequences of poverty. This includes: Heat relief initiative – helping low-income families replace their HVAC equipment to reduce heat -related deaths. Home Energy Assistance Fund – assisting with utility bills, weatherization services, and utility appliance repair and replacement. SNAP Outreach and Education – helping residents understand and apply for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Last fiscal year they helped 38,742 households. More than this, however, Wildfire works to prevent poverty by advocating for fair practices, quality jobs, and collaborating on policy issues to stop poverty before it starts. Click here to learn more about Wildfire: https://wildfireaz.org/ Original air date: October 3, 2024.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stacey Womack has a heart for the survivors of domestic violence. And she also wants to help those who commit that violence who are seeking to change. After years of homeschooling her six kids, in she felt a calling and in 1997 Stacey  formed Abuse Recovery Ministry Services (ARMS), leading it to become a nationally and internationally recognized force in the battle against domestic violence. The organization's mission is to provide a safe and empowering environment for survivors to heal, while also offering intervention programs for individuals who have caused harm. ARMS is driven by faith, compassion, empathy, and the belief that everyone deserves to live free from violence. Stacey has more than 500 hours of training and more than 21,000 hours invested in victim/survivor and perpetrator group sessions. She has earned a reputation as a leader in the field, developing recovery and intervention programs and leading the organization in offering more than $1 million in services for victims of abuse at a fraction of the cost. Click here to learn more about ARMS: https://abuserecovery.org/ Original air date: September 26, 2024.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Movement.org has two primary foundations: a commitment to cities and a commitment to prayer. When Josh Miles took the reins of the organization the first of this year, he was following in the footsteps of founder Mac Pier. Among many other projects, Mac co-founded the first Movement Day in 2010 with pastor and author Dr. Tim Keller. Josh was chosen for his post in part due to his balanced background both in the faith and business communities. He helps build connections between leaders across industries, connect real research to real problems, and connect the gospel to the context of cities around the globe. The 15th Annual Movement Day NYC is scheduled for October 18 at the historic Bethel Gospel Assembly Church in Harlem. Since the launch of Movement Day in New York, 60,000 leaders from 900 cities have participated in Movement Day gatherings globally. To learn more about Movement.org, just click www.movement.org  Original air date September 19, 2024.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who knew that a movie released 29 years ago would change the lives of hundreds of thousands of kids by giving them the opportunity to learn and play music in school? Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation was inspired by the acclaimed motion picture of the same name, based on the true story of the impact a dedicated music teacher had on generations of students. Composer Michael Kamen, who wrote the score for the film, started the foundation in 1996 as his commitment to the future of music education. The Foundation keeps music alive in our schools by donating high-quality instruments to deserving, under-funded music programs, and provides an array of support services to school districts. By increasing the school's supply of quality instruments, music teachers are able to deliver a quality music education to students who want to learn. CEO Tricia Williams joined the nonprofit nearly 25 years ago when she supervised all aspects of the program including the donation of musical instruments to schools, Music Rising and Holland's Heroes, a group of dedicated music and arts directors representing school districts across the nation. Click here to learn more about Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation: https://mhopus.org/  Original air date: September 12, 2024.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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It's a simple concept. Neighbors helping neighbors. Individuals, businesses, nonprofits, government, and faith communities, all working together to help older adults  in our community. Ann Wheat first served on the Duet board in 1999 when she was still working for the City of Phoenix. When she retired as Acting Deputy Director, she joined the Duet team and in 2019 was named executive director. Ann has been in the position of being a caretaker for a loved one. She has a special passion for Duet, which offers compassionate services to family caregivers and aging adults, free of charge. They work with four groups: Family caregivers Grandparents raising grandchildren Homebound adults Faith community nurses Ann's philanthropic career began as a volunteer where she founded one of the first summer camps in the nation for children with cancer, Arizona Camp Sunrise, and more recently, Arizona Lost Boys Center, a nonprofit helping Phoenix's 500 Sudanese refugee war orphans successfully acculturate to life in a modern society. She received Arizona's top volunteer award, the Hon Kachina, in 2012, and the Martin Luther King Junior Living the Dream Award in 2002. Now, she is dedicating her time and talents to helping families know they are not alone. Click here to learn more about Duet: https://duetaz.org/ Original air date: August 22, 2024.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jody Boyd's journey began with a deeply personal loss – the passing of her dear friend Michelle Singleton to cancer in 2005. She took that pain and created a remarkable nonprofit devoted to supporting single-parent families facing cancer. The Singletons offers critical monthly programs including Singletons Monthly Care Days, Bare Necessities, Beyond Books, and Healing Harvest. She collaborates with oncology nutritionists and local chefs to ensure the meals provided in the Monthly Care Days are both nutritious and tailored to the needs of the families they serve. In 2020, Jody's vision expanded with the acquisition of a building she transformed into the H.U.B. (Help Us Build: Strength, Hope, and Community). This dedicated space provides essential supplies for the home and meal preparation, while also hosting events such as Singletons Santa's celebrations and educational Wellness Beyond Cancer workshops to foster a sense of camaraderie among the families. Click here to learn more about The Singletons: https://thesingletonsaz.org/ Original air date: August 15, 2024.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Hal and Cheryl Sacks had a vision more than 40 years ago to ignite, fuel, and sustain the next Great Awakening by sounding the alarm to God's people. What does this look like? Initiatives pursued through their organization BridgeBuilders International Leadership Network have mobilized intense targeted prayer on issues such as sex, drugs, and weapons trafficking on the Southwest border, suicides, and academic performance in schools. The BridgeBuilders' team has empowered more than 5 million Christians—from  pastors to educators, law enforcement, and legislators—to invite God's transforming presence into every sphere of culture. Their latest initiatives include “Fire on the Family Altar,” Cheryl's new book that is a prayer guide for families who want to become prayer warriors for each other, their neighbors, their communities, and their nation. They'll also be talking about Revival Prayer Clusters, a project unifying neighborhoods and reaching out to help elderly neighbors and single moms with home improvement projects, taking meals, and praying for those who are sick. Click here to learn more about BridgeBuilders: https://www.bridgebuilders.net/ Original air date: July 11, 2024.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On August 11, 2020, Officer Sean Stoddard pulled his patrol car over to simply move a ladder out of the roadway. A distracted driver in an SUV plowed into his vehicle before he had a chance to open the door, crumpling his unit into an unrecognizable tangle of metal. The resulting traumatic brain injury totally erased everything in his life before the accident. He had to relearn everything from colors and shapes, to how to feed himself, to walk, and to talk. He now refers to himself as Sean 1.0 and Sean 2.0. Sean was – and still is – the president and CEO of the Archangels, a nonprofit that assists the military, veterans. first responders, and their families dealing with Post-Traumatic Stress and other mental health challenges including suicide prevention, morale, welfare, and recreational programs.  A veteran of four deployments with the U.S. Army to Iraq, Afghanistan and others, he leads a team of volunteers in service projects, and helping the homeless and service personnel with financial and other assistance. He says his accident changed him, but it hasn't changed his desire to help others. “Amor antidotum.” Love will conquer all. Sean penned this song to express his passion and vision. He encourages everyone to help others, and that in that service to find true joy. Click here to learn more about the Archangels: https://www.archangel.rocks/ Original air date: July 4, 2024.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Mimi Hymel was 3 years old when Hurricane Katrina destroyed her home and her life as she knew it. In a cruel act of fate, it also claimed a source of comfort, her cherished teddy bear Cuddles. That led years later to her founding Comfort Bears in a Catastrophe, a nonprofit that provides a special stuffed bear along with a handwritten note of encouragement to children impacted by disasters. Most children living through a hurricane, flood, earthquake, or other disaster lose their belongings and have limited social interaction, leading to feelings of loneliness and isolation. Evacuee children are four times more likely than the average child to show symptoms of emotional disturbance. This can stunt their ability to advance socially, emotionally, and academically. Since Comfort Bears' founding in 2020, more than 10,000 bears have been given away, 1,530 cards made, and 31,000 children educated with Miss Prepared books about what to do in a disaster. Click here to learn more about Comfort Bears in a Catastrophe: www.comfortbearsinacatastrophe.org Original air date: June 13, 2024.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Tom Loegering began serving on the Peoria Education Foundation board in 2014, he witnessed the resilience of students struggling to overcome challenges in their pursuit of education. Their challenges were not only financial, but in developing a lifestyle that leads to academic success. As the CEO of the Sun City Country Club, Tom was inspired his two passions and began teaching golf to 5th – 9th graders in their schools, promoting not only physical health but also family unity and community cohesion. In 2014 the Golf Program in Schools was launched as a pilot project at Peoria High School. What began as a small initiative blossomed into a transformative force, introducing more than 48,500 students to the game and its valuable life lessons across eight school districts in the Phoenix area. His long-term vision is to grow the program to 950 golf courses and introduce 19 million physical education students to golf every year. Click here to learn more about the Golf Program in Schools: https://golfps.org/ Original air date: June 6, 2024.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Randy Elliott's passion is serving his “orange church,” the incarcerated at Yavapai County Detention facilities in Camp Verde and Prescott. As chaplain, he drove more than 19,000 miles last year to lead Bible studies, distribute Bibles and devotionals, and minister. He leads a team of letter writers that sent more than 1,500 messages to incarcerated women. He offers a Bible correspondence course that 900 people completed last year. And he distributed more than 1,200 Bibles in 2023. That's all just numbers. What will touch you about Randy is the genuine heart he and his wife Rhonda have for service. Original air date: May 30, 2024.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.