Podcasts about united way

Dr. Michael Roizen returns for Part 2 of the conversation on longevity, healthspan, and the future of healthy aging. Building on the previous discussion, he dives deeper into The Great Age Reboot and the emerging science behind extending not just lifespan, but years of health, mobility, and vitality. From brain health and stress management to nutrition, movement, purpose, and the latest advances in longevity research, Dr. Roizen shares practical steps people can take today while exploring what the future of medicine may make possible tomorrow.  Key Takeaways:   Healthy aging is shaped by the daily choices we make long before we reach older age.  Brain health benefits from movement, cognitive challenges, stress management, and meaningful engagement.  Nutrition, physical activity, and healthy metabolic markers are important foundations for longevity.  Purpose, friendship, and play can help support a healthier and more fulfilling life as we age.  Emerging advances in gene editing, stem cell research, and other longevity therapies could reshape how we approach aging in the future.   We couldn't highlight incredible stories like this without the support of our sponsor, CommunityAmerica Credit Union. Thank you for helping us promote connection, well-being, and stronger communities. If you're looking for trusted financial wellbeing resources, we invite you to connect with their team and take the next step toward greater financial confidence.  About Dr. Michael Roizen:   Dr. Roizen served as Cleveland Clinic's first Chief Wellness Officer from 2007 to 2019 & founding Chair of its Wellness Institute. The Clinic's Wellness Programs helped the clinic not spend over 1.250 billion dollars for its 101,000 employees & dependents over 11 years compared with national averages and help over 43.6% of participants achieve 6 normals+2 ® for health. This reduced their rate of aging and time of disability equivalent to 12.5 years over an 80 year lifespan.    Dr Roizen is a recipient of an Emmy, an Elle, the Paul Rogers best medical communicator award from the National Library of Medicine, & the Bennett Family Award from GlobalWellnesSummit. He initiated & developed the RealAge concept to motivate behavior change. That started the concept that 60 could be the new 40. He believes that soon 90 will be the new 40—how you can prepare for it is described in his recently released book and app-newsletter, The Great Age Reboot and 4 YOUngevity.com Ai coaching program & free newsletter.    He has authored over 195 peer reviewed scientific publications (he really is a science nerd), four New York Times #1 best sellers, 9 overall top 10 bestsellers including his initial #1 Bestseller in 5 countries, "RealAge: Are You As Young As You Can Be?", "AgeProof—Living Longer without breaking a hip or running out of money" and his book that displaced Harry Potter from #1 on Amazon for 177 days, YOU: On A Diet, The Owner's Manual for Waist Management. He served 16 years on FDA advisory committees, including chairing one for two years. His books have been translated into 44 languages and been number 1 in 5 countries in addition to the USA. He helped start 14 companies including his current Therapeutic Plasma Exchange Company, Lifespan-Edge.com, , co-invented a drug approved by the FDA, co-invented the Cloud (US Patent # 2004/0205055A1 ; his coinventor –who took it from him—was just awarded 673 million dollars from Amazon)and has a weekly podcast now in its 1268th+ week; he and Dr Oz coauthored a daily column syndicated to over 68 newspapers that translates current scientific reports into actionable steps for lay audiences. When Dr Oz declared his candidacy for public office, Dr Roizen has continued the column alone, but have recently started writing it together again, but he has restarted alone as Dr Oz is now USA's CMS Director-Administrator.    He is a recipient of The United Way of Cleveland Humanitarian of the Year Award. He has won over 75 trophies in class A squash competition. His wife is a developmental pediatrician also listed in the Best Doctors in America. The Roizens have two children: Jenny, a PhD organic chemist working for the US Energy Department, and Jeffrey, an MD/PhD faculty member in pediatric endocrinology at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Dr. Roizen is devoted to helping people live younger. He consults with patients in Cleveland Clinic's Executive Health and Wellness Programs. He teaches them the 80% likelihood that they can be 40 at calendar age 90, and how to prepare for that.   Connect with Dr. Michael Roizen at:   https://4youngevity.com/    https://lifespan-edge.com/   https://michaelfroizenmd.substack.com/   Connect with Dr. Michelle and Bayleigh at:  https://smallchangesbigshifts.com  hello@smallchangesbigshifts.com  https://www.linkedin.com/company/smallchangesbigshifts  https://www.facebook.com/SmallChangesBigShifts  https://www.instagram.com/smallchangesbigshiftsco  https://www.youtube.com/@smallchangesbigshiftsco    Thanks for listening!  Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.  Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!  Subscribe to the podcast  If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.  Leave us an Apple Podcasts review  Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. 

When families have support, children and youth do better at home, in school and in their communities. Yet many conversations about “student success” focus narrowly on classrooms and test scores, overlooking the pregnancy, early childhood, housing, mental health, special‑needs and basic‑needs supports that shape whether children can show up ready to learn in the first place. This program will explore how family resource centers and other family support services operate in San Francisco, drawing on the experiences of community leaders and parents who know these systems firsthand. Through stories from their work and lives, the panel will highlight how family support helps families navigate complex systems, build stability, and prevent crises before they escalate. The conversation will also consider what we can all do to support cradle‑to‑career supports for families, so that all San Francisco children and youth can thrive.About the Speakers Our moderator will be Kula Koenig, the chief policy officer at Safe & Sound, where she leads policy, advocacy and strategic partnerships to strengthen child abuse prevention through upstream investment, cross-sector collaboration, and systems change that centers families most impacted by inequities. She directly oversees Safe & Sound's role as the backbone organization of the Family Services Alliance, working to make San Francisco a place where all children, youth, and families can thrive. Kula grounds her leadership in the belief that prevention and civic engagement must be inclusive, accessible and healing. She brings more than 15 years of leadership experience at the intersection of public health, early childhood, and racial equity, including senior roles at Public Health Advocates, United Way, and the American Heart Association. She is also the founder and executive director of Social Justice PolitiCorps. Kula holds a B.A. from UCLA and an MBA from The George Washington University. Gloria Tan has been the executive director of the San Francisco nonprofit Gum Moon since 1986. Gum Moon operates a residence hall in Chinatown for survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. In addition, Gum Moon has 3 family resource centers in the Chinatown, Richmond and Sunset neighborhoods. The FRC's are all funded through the San Francisco Department of Early Childhood's Family Resource Center Initiative. Originally from Singapore, Gloria came to the United States for college and earned a Business Administration degree from the University of San Francisco. In 2020, the Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco honored her with its Lifetime Achievement Award in Community Building for her decades-long community leadership. In May 2026, the San Francisco Human Rights Commission recognized her contributions on behalf of women, children, immigrant families and underserved communities across the city. She is also an active member of the Family Services Alliance. Vicente Milan is a proud San Franciscan, born and raised. A former U.S. Army Specialist who deployed to Iraq, Vicente later worked in landscaping before stepping into his most important role: primary caregiver to three young boys in a blended family. Vicente and his family have turned to Compass Family Services' Family Resource Center for parenting support, help with one of his children's special needs, and housing stability services.  He now serves as a parent leader in Compass's “Repeat and Repair” group and brings to this panel the perspective of a father who has seen how family resource centers can strengthen families and improve children's outcomes. He loves taking his kids to museums and connecting with other parents.  A Social Impact Member-led Forum program. Forums at the Club are organized and run by volunteer programmers who are members of The Commonwealth Club, and they cover a diverse range of topics. Learn more about our Forums. ORGANIZER Virginia Cheung Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us Fan MailAdam Greenman on winning the Pawtucket mayoral primary and what residents want nextAdam Greenman, the presumptive next mayor of Pawtucket, talks about his upset primary win over longtime Mayor Don Grebien and why he got into the race in the first place. The conversation centers on what voters were saying on the ground, from affordability and city services to the loss of Memorial Hospital and the need for stronger local-state collaboration.Key topicsIn this episode, Adam Greenman explains that his campaign grew out of a widespread feeling in Pawtucket that things had gone stale after 16 years of the same administration.He describes his background, including Teach for America in Camden, work at United Way of Rhode Island, and eight and a half years leading the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.Greenman says early conversations in living rooms and backyards confirmed that residents were frustrated with rising taxes, declining services, and a city focus that seemed too centered on the soccer stadium and train station.He says the biggest issue voters raised was affordability, especially for renters, homeowners on fixed incomes, and seniors worried about staying in their homes.Education came up repeatedly, not just school buildings but what is happening inside them, along with frustration that City Hall was not listening closely enough to neighborhood concerns like traffic around the new high school.He says public safety and quality-of-life issues mattered too, including bulk trash pickup, rats, and general bread-and-butter municipal services.Greenman says the campaign's door-to-door operation was decisive, with about 2,500 individual conversations after knocking on close to 15,000 doors.He argues that the biggest long-term loss for Pawtucket residents is Memorial Hospital, saying that people felt the impact of losing a nearby hospital in their daily lives, not just as a headline issue.He connects the hospital closure to the broader problem of paying more while getting less, and says local officials need to think seriously about options like ambulatory or non-major emergency care.Greenman outlines a plan to bring Pawtucket's state delegation together for regular conversations with city leadership, so municipal and state officials can coordinate on funding, emergency services, special education, and multilingual learner support.Timestamps00:00 - Greenman's primary win and the significance of the race 00:20 - Why he entered the mayoral race 01:29 - Background: Teach for America, United Way, and the Jewish Alliance 02:19 - Why Pawtucket felt ready for change 03:00 - Conversations in living rooms, backyards, and on doors 04:24 - How 15,000 doors and 2,500 conversations shaped the campaign 05:35 - Affordability as the top issue for renters, owners, and seniors 06:04 - Schools, traffic concerns, and residents feeling unheard 07:01 - Trash pickup, rats, and other quality-of-life complaints 08:11 - Why the stadium and train station were not the real focus 09:00 - Memorial Hospital as the biggest loss residents feel 09:55 - Exploring possible local care alternatives after the hospital closure 11:58 - How service loss and crowding reinforce the affordability problem 13:26 - What a new mayoral era could mean for collaboration in Rhode Island 14:11 - Plans to bring together state reps, senators, and city leaders 16:33 - Working with Mayor Grebien during the transition Support the showFollow Bill on Instagram and YouTube

As heard on The Morning Show with Ken & Friends, this is the weekly United We Thrive segment from United Way of Southwest Michigan. This podcast is your opportunity to learn more about the mission, vision, and programs of the local United Way organization and find out how you can get involved to make a difference! For more information: https://www.uwsm.org/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With trade issues becoming a political inflection point, Mayor Christina Muryn talks about the importance of working with Findlay's international partners to advance relationships that have provided mutual benefit for our community, state and country (at 13:00) --- As demand for weight-loss medications continues to soar, copycat and counterfeit GLP-1 drugs and peptide products continue to appear on the market, and experts fear consumers don't know the difference - or the risks (at 26:37) --- Community and Business Spotlight: As this year's fundraising campaign kicks off, the United Way of Hancock County is gearing up for their 'Barrels and Bids' evening of impact (at 43:17)

When a disaster destroys your home, the shelter is never meant to be the ending point — it's step one. Janet Michael sits down with Deb Fleming, Executive Director of the American Red Cross of the Greater Shenandoah Valley, for a deep dive into the Red Cross's Shelter Resident Transition (SRT) program: the behind-the-scenes work of moving disaster survivors out of shelters and into permanent, sustainable housing. Deb walks through how SRT identifies each person's unique barriers to housing, why the Red Cross deliberately avoids "quick fix" solutions like extended hotel stays, and what it's actually like to help someone rebuild when they've lost everything — including the emotional toll on both survivors and the workers who support them. She also shares stories from Maui, from local house fires, and from building community partnerships that stretch far beyond the Red Cross itself. If you've ever wondered what happens to people after the cameras leave a disaster zone, this conversation has the answer. LINKS & RESOURCES American Red Cross volunteer sign-up: redcross.org United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley Day of Caring — presented by First Bank: https://www.unitedwaynsv.org/day-caring-2026  Community Baby Shower donation drop-off: Marlow Motors locations and participating First Bank branches

Our daily choices can shape not only how long we live, but how well we live. Dr. Michael Roizen challenges us to rethink aging by exploring how nutrition, movement, prevention, and personal motivation can influence our health trajectory.  Drawing from decades of medical experience and longevity research, Dr. Roizen shares why finding your personal "why" is essential to lasting change and how wellness can benefit individuals, families, and communities. His message is hopeful and empowering: we can take meaningful steps today to live younger, longer, and with greater purpose.  Key Takeaways:   Our daily choices around nutrition, movement, tobacco, stress, and other lifestyle factors can significantly influence our health trajectory and quality of life.   Finding your personal motivator is essential because lasting behavior change becomes more meaningful when it connects to something you genuinely care about.   Staying well is not only a personal responsibility but can also contribute to healthier families, stronger communities, and a more sustainable healthcare system.   Wellness programs can create meaningful change when organizations make healthy choices easier and support people in building sustainable habits.   Longevity science is rapidly evolving, giving us new opportunities to extend not just lifespan but the number of years we can live with strength, independence, and purpose.   We couldn't highlight incredible stories like this without the support of our sponsor, CommunityAmerica Credit Union. Thank you for helping us promote connection, well-being, and stronger communities. If you're looking for trusted financial wellbeing resources, we invite you to connect with their team and take the next step toward greater financial confidence.  About Dr. Michael Roizen:  Dr. Roizen served as Cleveland Clinic's first Chief Wellness Officer from 2007 to 2019 & founding Chair of its Wellness Institute. The Clinic's Wellness Programs helped the clinic not spend over 1.250 billion dollars for its 101,000 employees & dependents over 11 years compared with national averages and help over 43.6% of participants achieve 6 normals+2 ® for health. This reduced their rate of aging and time of disability equivalent to 12.5 years over an 80 year lifespan.   Dr Roizen is a recipient of an Emmy, an Elle, the Paul Rogers best medical communicator award from the National Library of Medicine, & the Bennett Family Award from GlobalWellnesSummit. He initiated & developed the RealAge concept to motivate behavior change. That started the concept that 60 could be the new 40. He believes that soon 90 will be the new 40—how you can prepare for it is described in his recently released book and app-newsletter, The Great Age Reboot and 4 YOUngevity.com Ai coaching program & free newsletter.   He has authored over 195 peer reviewed scientific publications (he really is a science nerd), four New York Times #1 best sellers, 9 overall top 10 bestsellers including his initial #1 Bestseller in 5 countries, "RealAge: Are You As Young As You Can Be?", "AgeProof—Living Longer without breaking a hip or running out of money" and his book that displaced Harry Potter from #1 on Amazon for 177 days, YOU: On A Diet, The Owner's Manual for Waist Management. He served 16 years on FDA advisory committees, including chairing one for two years. His books have been translated into 44 languages and been number 1 in 5 countries in addition to the USA. He helped start 14 companies including his current Therapeutic Plasma Exchange Company, Lifespan-Edge.com, , co-invented a drug approved by the FDA, co-invented the Cloud (US Patent # 2004/0205055A1 ; his coinventor –who took it from him—was just awarded 673 million dollars from Amazon)and has a weekly podcast now in its 1268th+ week; he and Dr Oz coauthored a daily column syndicated to over 68 newspapers that translates current scientific reports into actionable steps for lay audiences. When Dr Oz declared his candidacy for public office, Dr Roizen has continued the column alone, but have recently started writing it together again, but he has restarted alone as Dr Oz is now USA's CMS Director-Administrator.   He is a recipient of The United Way of Cleveland Humanitarian of the Year Award. He has won over 75 trophies in class A squash competition. His wife is a developmental pediatrician also listed in the Best Doctors in America. The Roizens have two children: Jenny, a PhD organic chemist working for the US Energy Department, and Jeffrey, an MD/PhD faculty member in pediatric endocrinology at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Dr. Roizen is devoted to helping people live younger. He consults with patients in Cleveland Clinic's Executive Health and Wellness Programs. He teaches them the 80% likelihood that they can be 40 at calendar age 90, and how to prepare for that.  Connect with Dr. Michael Roizen at:  https://4youngevity.com/    https://lifespan-edge.com/   Connect with Dr. Michelle and Bayleigh at:  https://smallchangesbigshifts.com  hello@smallchangesbigshifts.com  https://www.linkedin.com/company/smallchangesbigshifts  https://www.facebook.com/SmallChangesBigShifts  https://www.instagram.com/smallchangesbigshiftsco  https://www.youtube.com/@smallchangesbigshiftsco    Thanks for listening!  Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.  Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!  Subscribe to the podcast  If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.  Leave us an Apple Podcasts review  Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. 

The ALICE Report reflects the number of individuals and families that are struggling to make ends meet since the cost of living has outpaced their income. Today, the United Way of Connecticut will host a formal launch event at the State Capitol for the latest ALICE report. We got a sneak peek of the data from Daniel Fitzmaurice, Director of Advocacy for United Way of Connecticut.To access the ALICE report and more information: https://unitedwayinc.org/our-work/wages/alice/

What happens when a painful diagnosis becomes the inspiration to help other women find answers sooner? In this episode of The Ana Cruz Show, I sit down with Dejanae Parkman, Founder and CEO of Dotted, to talk about her personal journey with endometriosis, how it impacted her dreams of motherhood, and how that experience inspired her to create a new approach to period care. We also talk about entrepreneurship, turning pain into purpose, and how The Pitch 2026 helped Dejanae strengthen her vision for Dotted and become Social Innovator of the Year. Learn more about Dotted:

As heard on The Morning Show with Ken & Friends, this is the weekly United We Thrive segment from United Way of Southwest Michigan. This podcast is your opportunity to learn more about the mission, vision, and programs of the local United Way organization and find out how you can get involved to make a difference! For more information: https://www.uwsm.org/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today is 9-8-8 day and our United Way wants to raise awareness about the life saving hotline. Today, officials want to focus on the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline as a major resource available to help youth (and their parents) when they are experiencing a mental health crisis, with a special focus on student athletes. We spoke with Lisa Tepper Bates, President and CEO, United Way of Connecticut.For more information: https://www.preventsuicidect.org/get-help/ct-988/

For more than a decade, the STEP Ladder Tutoring Program has been helping middle school students in Kewanee and Wethersfield strengthen their academic skills, build confidence, and prepare for success in high school. During a recent interview on Wake Up Tri-Counties, Etta LaFlora, Executive Director of the Sunshine Community Services Center, discussed the program's history and its continued importance to local students. The STEP Ladder program began with a simple observation. A friend of LaFlora's who was teaching at Black Hawk College noticed students struggling academically and wondered when those difficulties began. That conversation led to the creation of a tutoring program focused on middle school students. After a pilot program at the Kewanee Public Library in 2011 showed positive results through pre- and post-testing, the program expanded into the schools in 2012. Since then, STEP Ladder has served 242 middle school students and involved 82 volunteers, AmeriCorps members, and staff. The program's motto is “Helping One Child at a Time.” LaFlora said the goal is to make every student feel important while providing individualized or small-group assistance. STEP Ladder helps students with: Completing homework Preparing for tests and quizzes Mastering core academic skills Developing better study habits Learning how to take notes and stay organized Building a more positive attitude toward school and learning LaFlora said middle school is a particularly important time to provide this support. Students are navigating significant academic, social, and emotional changes while preparing for the transition to high school. The program serves students after they complete sixth grade and continue through eighth grade, including the summer before they enter high school. A summer program is held at the Kewanee Public Library. Funding the program has become increasingly challenging as community needs have grown. Sunshine Community Services Center has relied on donations, grants, and support from organizations including Rotary, Kiwanis, and United Way. Schools also contribute by providing space, while Central School provides transportation. The organization has shifted from some of its traditional fundraising efforts to online fundraising. Donations can be made through the Sunshine Community Services Center website at www.sunshinecsc.com, through an upcoming GoFundMe campaign, or by mail to P.O. Box 405, Kewanee, IL 61443. LaFlora emphasized that every donation helps provide free tutoring, healthy snacks, and learning supplies for local students. The program also continues to benefit from community volunteers. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Sunshine Community Services Center at 309-853-7751. Volunteers must complete the required school background check and fingerprinting process. One of the most rewarding aspects of STEP Ladder has been seeing former students return to give back. LaFlora recalled students who participated in the program when they were younger and later returned to serve as tutors themselves. Beyond tutoring, Sunshine Community Services Center also participates in community programs, including Black History programming, Martin Luther King Jr. activities, and community events. AmeriCorps members also assist with tutoring at Black Hawk College, including helping GED and ESL students. The STEP Ladder Tutoring Program is scheduled to begin its new school-year session on Tuesday, September 8th. LaFlora said the ultimate goal remains straightforward: helping local students develop the skills and confidence they need to successfully make it through school and into high school. Families interested in enrolling a student, community members interested in volunteering, or individuals wishing to support the program can visit www.sunshinecsc.com or call 309-853-7751. STEP Ladder Tutoring Program Offers Academic Support to Local Middle School Students The STEP Ladder Tutoring Program is providing additional educational services to middle school students in the Kewanee and Wethersfield communities. The program is available to 7th and 8th grade students attending Central Junior High School and Wethersfield Jr. High School. During the school year, tutoring sessions are held Monday through Thursday at each student's respective junior high school. Tutoring Locations and Times Central Junior High School 215 E. Central Blvd. Kewanee, IL Monday–Thursday | 3:00–4:15 PM Wethersfield Jr. High School 439 Willard Street Kewanee, IL Monday–Thursday | 3:00–4:15 PM The STEP Ladder program also offers tutoring during the summer at the Kewanee Public Library, located at 102 S. Tremont Street. Summer Tutoring Sessions Kewanee Public Library Tuesday–Thursday | 1:00–2:15 PM

Ann sits down with Elisha Joyce (executive director) and Erika McBurnett (development director) of Care Net Pregnancy Center of Central Texas about "Steadfast", an annual benefit being held at the Waco Convention Center. Ann also speaks to Wendy Ellis (executive director of United Way of Waco) to discuss the 2nd annual Rhythm & Brew Karaoke Showdown, held at Waco's Backyard Bar Stage & Grill. Features musical performance by Theo Carracino.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Kewanee Area United Way's "Jail and Bail" fundraiser is underway, with local community members agreeing to be “arrested” as they raise money to support agencies and programs throughout the Kewanee area. Nat Smith, board secretary for the Kewanee Area United Way, recently joined Ken Peel on Wake Up Tri-Counties to discuss this year's fundraiser and how residents can get involved. The "Jail and Bail" event is a fun annual fundraiser in which community members volunteer to become “arrestees.” Each participant is asked to raise a minimum of $250 in bail, with participants encouraged to raise as much as possible. Last year, the fundraiser brought in approximately $5,000, and United Way organizers are hoping to meet or exceed that amount this year. A Fun New Approach to Jail and Bail The "Jail and Bail" fundraiser has evolved over the years. Rather than bringing participants to a central location for several hours, the United Way now takes the fundraiser directly to the volunteers. Participants can be “arrested” at their workplace, home, a local park, or another agreed-upon location. Kewanee Police Department officers assist with the event, along with a portable jail prop created for the fundraiser. Participants have their pictures taken with the “arresting” officers in the police vehicle and behind the portable jail. This approach lets volunteers participate without spending hours away from work or their daily responsibilities. Who Is Being Arrested? This year's list includes community members from a variety of local businesses and organizations. Those participating include: Andy Neal – Kewanee Walmart Natalie Hendryx – Caterpillar Nancy Sutton – Kewanee Area United Way Bennett Riber – Kewanee Fire Department Tim Pence – Housing Authority of Henry County Rebecca Baney – Kewanee School District Tim Capes – Housing Authority of Henry County Stephanie Humphrey – Kewanee School District Priscilla Jackson – Braveheart Children's Advocacy Center Jon Looney - Union Federal Savings and Loan Willie Burford - Rux Funeral Home and Citizen of the Year Dianne DeDecker – Mel Foster Company Jake Forney – Kewanee Fire Department Chief Nicole Moehring – Kewanee YMCA Jodi Looney – Arrow Real Estate Daryl Steinbeck - State Farm Insurance Mike Nichols – State Farm Insurance Doug Wager – Kewanee Pool & Spa Gwen Murphy – Murphy Container Jimmy Cable – Sullivans Food and Springfield Armory Dave Armstrong - KHS Automotive Instructor Organizers say additional participants can still be added, even close to the event date. September 10th Is "Jail and Bail" Day The official "Jail and Bail" “arrests” are scheduled for Thursday, September 10th. The United Way plans to begin making its rounds at approximately 8 AM, visiting participants at their various locations. Each stop is expected to take only about five to ten minutes. The group will collect money raised by participants, take photos, and conduct the ceremonial arrests. United Way organizers are encouraging participants to have their bail money raised by the time they are arrested. Donations can be collected through cash, checks, or online donations. A friendly competition has also been added this year. The participant who raises the most bail money will receive a plaque along with gift certificates donated by Downtown Eatery. Supporting Local Agencies and Community Projects Money raised through the Kewanee Area United Way supports approximately 14 to 15 local agencies, helping those organizations carry out their missions. Nat Smith explained that the United Way is not able to provide 100% of the funding for those organizations, but its contributions provide an important source of support. The United Way also uses funds for community impact projects. Past projects have included providing cleaning supplies and food assistance, while the organization's Shoes for Kids program has grown significantly throughout the area. Nat said the fundraising is essential to allowing the United Way to continue supporting local programs and responding to community needs. How to Donate Community members can support their favorite "Jail and Bail" participant by donating toward their bail. Donations can be made through the Kewanee Area United Way website at www.kauw.org, where donors can select the Jail and Bail fundraiser and designate their donation. Residents can also follow the Kewanee Area United Way on "Facebook" for updates, participant photos, and information about the fundraiser. The United Way is hoping the community will rally behind this year's participants and help push the fundraiser beyond last year's $5,000 total. As Smith noted during the interview, a goal of $10,000 would be a major accomplishment and would provide even more resources for local agencies and community projects. Keep an eye on social media and RegionalMediaNews.com for coverage of the September 10th "Jail and Bail" arrests as local community members get their turn behind bars—all in the name of helping the Kewanee community.

We are back baby! I took the summer off and we are diving back in with this fall kick-off episode about some leadership lessons I have learned from the late Dolly Parton. This episode is my reflection on key lessons from Dolly's life: authentic self-expression, unwavering confidence, and the courage to live boldly. A key theme that emerged was the power of owning your story and gifts — without waiting for someone else to grant you permission. The episode explored how Dolly's generosity, resilience, and humility impacted millions, not just through her music but also her philanthropy and infectious energy. I invite you to reflect on your own legacy, embrace your unique strengths, and lead with authenticity. Join the movement to honor Dolly by making your life meaningful and inspiring others every single day.Marli Williams is an international keynote speaker, master facilitator, and joy instigator who has worked with organizations such as Nike, United Way, Doordash, along with many colleges and schools across the United States. She first fell in love with transformational leadership as a camp counselor when she was 19 years old. After getting two degrees and 15 years of leadership training, Marli decided to give herself permission to be the “Professional Camp Counselor” she knew she was born to be. Now she helps incredible people and organizations stop waiting for permission and start taking bold action to be the leaders and changemakers they've always wanted to be through the power of play and cultivating joy everyday. She loves helping people go from stuck to STOKED and actually created her own deck of inspirational messages called StokeQuotes™ which was then followed by The Connect Deck™ to inspire more meaningful conversations. Her ultimate mission in the world is to help others say YES to themselves and their big crazy dreams (while having fun doing it!) To learn more about Marli's work go to www.marliwilliams.com and follow her on Instagram @marliwilliamsStay Connected to The Marli Williams PodcastFollow us on Instagram: @marliwilliamsOur Website: www.podcast.marliwilliams.comHire Marli to Speak at your next event, conference, workshop or retreat!www.marliwilliams.comReally love the podcast and want to share it??Give us a review on your favorite platform and share this (or any) episode with a friend. Let's Lead Together and reach more people - we appreciate your support!!

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Erica Gwyn.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Erica Gwyn.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Erica Gwyn.

Over 23,000 people are incarcerated in Wisconsin's prisons, a record number reports Wisconsin Public Radio. For those who are in jail or prison, accessing necessary mental health services is too often out of reach. Three in five people do not receive the mental health treatment they need while they are in state and federal prisons, according to NAMI. To address the mental illness and the justice system, on today's show, host Dana Pellebon speaks with Linda Ketcham. Ketcham works at JustDane to support people who are newly released from jail and prison. JustDane offers peer support, traditional case management, employment and skills training, eviction prevention, and more. They also mentor kids whose parents are impacted by incarceration. No matter a person's conviction, they still deserve the opportunity to heal and grow, says Ketcham. She adds that she has come to see that the criminal justice system isn't broken, but operating exactly as it was intended.  They discuss the public discourse following the police killing of Corey Ruiz, namely how little empathy some people have toward people with histories of incarceration, especially knowing how difficult it is to come out of prison after years of incarceration;   If you are struggling, you can contact the 988 crisis line, 211 line run by the United Way of Dane County, or reach out to the Dane County Behavioral Resource Center.  Linda Ketcham is the Executive Director at JustDane. She is in recovery and has been working in human services for over 40 years. Linda has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in criminal justice and was a certified addiction counselor for 15 years in Illinois before moving to Wisconsin. Featured image of a door with light shining behind it via Anton Winaryo.  Did you enjoy this story? Your funding makes great, local journalism like this possible. Donate hereThe post When Mental Illness Intersects with the Justice System appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Keri remembered Dolly Parton and The Imagination Library, and shared this years Let's Feed Our Children results. 

Faith Hamson, Marketing Coordinator with the Lakes Area United Way, joins to recap the success of this year's Stuff-A-Bus school supply drive and the impact the community's generosity will have on local students. Faith also previews September's Hunger Action Food Drive and how you can help support local families facing food insecurity. Plus, businesses, nonprofits and restaurants are encouraged to mark their calendars for Wednesday, October 14 for the always-popular Lakes Area United Way Chili Cook-Off!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

KGMI's Dianna Hawryluk talks to Kristi Birkeland, president and CEO of United Way of Whatcom County, about their work distributing books for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.

August 27, 2026 ~ Darienne Hudson, President and CEO, United Way, United Way; Meghan Schmidbauer, Senior Director, Detroit Drives Degrees, Detroit Regional Chamber joins Sandy Baruah in for Paul W. Smith. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

KGMI's Dianna Hawryluk speaks with United Way of Whatcom County's Kristi Birkeland about their continued mission to offer Imagination Library books to children in our region.

Early childhood literacy sets the foundation for lifelong learning, and localized support makes free book access possible for thousands of families. In this episode of Ruthe

United Way chief executive Lindsey McKee, who runs Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in Australia, joined Shane McInnes to talk about the impact her foundation has had in Australia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As heard on The Morning Show with Ken & Friends, this is the weekly United We Thrive segment from United Way of Southwest Michigan. This podcast is your opportunity to learn more about the mission, vision, and programs of the local United Way organization and find out how you can get involved to make a difference! For more information: https://www.uwsm.org/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when community focused organizations come together to support young scholars beginning a new school year? In this episode, we hit the road to the Back-to-School Extravaganza which was hosted on Saturday, August 15 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg. In the first half of the program we speak with Christy Renjilian, the Executive Director at Community Connections for Children and Kim Istvan, Community Impact Manager-Education at United Way of the Capital Region. Kim and Christy talk about the "why" behind the event that served approximately 1,500 children. In the second half of the program Dr. Sabina Grant-Spencer, Director of Early Childhood at Harrisburg School District and Stefanie McAuliffe, Vice President of Community Impact at The Foundation for Enhancing Communities explore the challenges facing young scholars and their families, and the support that exists in the region to help.

Rachael Orose, President & CEO of United Way of San Diego County, and Meg Storer, Chief of Staff at 211 San Diego, discuss tackling the most complicated issues facing families, from housing affordability to real-time crisis navigation. They explore data-driven collaboration, financial literacy and how policy changes to programs like CalFresh and Medi-Cal are straining working parents, seniors and caregivers.  Orose and Storer are bullish on what business and community leaders can do about these challenges. Listen Where You Live!About Spotlight and Cloudcast Media  "Spotlight On The Community" is the longest running community podcast in the country, continuously hosted by Drew Schlosberg for 20 years.  "Spotlight" is part of Cloudcast Media's line-up of powerful local podcasts, telling the stories, highlighting the people, and celebrating the gravitational power of local.   For more information on Cloudcast and its shows and cities served, please visit www.cloudcastmedia.us. Cloudcast Media | the national leader in local podcasting.   About Mission Fed Credit Union  A community champion for over 60 years, Mission Fed Credit Union with over $6 billion in member assets, is the Sponsor of Spotlight On The Community, helping to curate connectivity, collaboration, and catalytic conversations.  For more information on the many services for San Diego residents, be sure to visit them at https://www.missionfed.com/

Updating a brand across connected, yet independent organizations is no small feat. Farra Trompeter, co-director, talks with Omoiye Kinney, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for United Way Worldwide, about managing a global brand refresh across 1,000 local United Ways in 30+ countries. They explore how United Way conducted an 18-month data-driven process that centered trust and listening with network leaders and balanced brand consistency with local autonomy. Omoiye shares lessons on phasing brand rollout, empowering brand ambassadors, connecting brand to fundraising, and why your brand is more fragile than you think. Get practical strategies for any organization managing a nonprofit brand.

Infant mortality in Northeast Ohio continues at higher level than national averageInfant mortality refers to the death of an infant before they reach their first birthday. In Northeast Ohio, physicians and families have witnessed a constant rate of infant mortality over double the national average. There are many barriers that contribute to this issue including access to care, education and economic stressors. In 2024, the infant mortality rate for Black babies in Summit County was 19.4 deaths per 1,000 live births. This was over triple the rate for the total population nationally that same year. This number has risen over a decade since it first peaked in 2011. Why are babies in Ohio at a higher risk than other parts of the country? And what efforts are physicians and community organizations taking to reduce these numbers? On Wednesday, Aug. 19, Case Western Reserve University's Communication Sciences program and United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Cleveland are offering free development screenings for children ages 0 to 3. No appointment is required; however, they recommend reserving a time slot before arrival. Project Ujima's Queens Village will host "Honoring Black Birth, Protecting Black Babies", a community gathering centered around infant mortality, on Aug. 27 from 4:30-8 p.m. at United Way of Summit and Medina. Registration is free. Applications for Rx Kids will open to Ohioans on Sept. 1. The program, which initially saw success in Flint, Michigan, will be available for Cleveland parents who live in zip codes 44103, 44110 and 44114. Rx Kids provides expectant mothers with $1,500 cash payments during pregnancy and $500 per month for the first six months of their baby's life. Guests:- Jessica Wilder, M.D., Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MetroHealth- LaKesh Duke, Executive Director, Project Ujima- Krista Lumpkins-Howard, Director of Training and Community Outreach, Birthing Beautiful Communities "Impossible Choices" and Maternal HealthIn June 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, overturned Roe versus Wade, which ended nearly 50 years of federal abortion access. This returned authority to individual states. Doctors and patients confronting high-risk pregnancies have always faced profound and life-altering decisions, but in the aftermath of the Dobbs decision, those decisions took on new weight and complications. David Hackney, a Northeast Ohio physician who specializes in maternal fetal medicine has written about this topic in a new book, "Impossible Choices: A Physician's Guidance on High-Risk Pregnancy in a World Without Roe." Hackney recently spoke with Ideastream's Morning Edition Host Amy Eddings about the book and his experience as a practicing OB/GYN post-Roe. You can find more of Amy Eddings reporting about reproductive rights in Ohio in her "Ohio After Roe" documentary here. Guests:- David Hackney, M.D., Maternal and Fetal Medicine, OB/GYN and Women's Health; Reproductive Biology, Case Western Reserve University- Amy Eddings, Host, Morning Edition, Ideastream Public Media

As heard on The Morning Show with Ken & Friends, this is the weekly United We Thrive segment from United Way of Southwest Michigan. This podcast is your opportunity to learn more about the mission, vision, and programs of the local United Way organization and find out how you can get involved to make a difference! For more information: https://www.uwsm.org/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alli K. joins Travis to talk about the United Way 2026 campaign that starts this fall!

The picture many of us carry of poverty is an urban one. Hamilton County tells a different story. Despite being one of Indiana's most prosperous counties, Hamilton County has 34,764 households living below the United Way's ALICE threshold. These are often working families whose incomes simply cannot keep pace with the local cost of housing, child care, food, transportation and health care. Larry Lannan discusses this hidden suburban hardship with MaryEdith Malin, executive director of Hamilton County Kids Coats. The organization provides free winter coats and winter wear to more than 3,000 local children each year. Larry also shares commentaries on Peggy Wallace's book and an unusual story about Mozart. Learn more about Kids Coats at https://kidscoats.org.

Kewanee Area United Way Expands "Shoes for Kids" Program to Meet Local Need The Kewanee Area United Way is continuing its Shoes for Kids program, an initiative designed to provide local children with new shoes and help ensure they have what they need to participate fully in school and everyday activities. During an interview on Wake Up Tri-Counties, Kewanee Area United Way Executive Director Linda Blair discussed the program's continued growth and the significant need identified by local schools. Blair said the program was created after conversations with area schools revealed that some children were coming to school with worn-out, ill-fitting, or damaged shoes. In some cases, students had blisters or other foot problems and were unable to participate in physical education because they did not have appropriate footwear. The program began by providing about 200 pairs of shoes in its first year. This year, the United Way expects to provide more than 300 pairs, with the first major order already exceeding 100 pairs. Blair said the need has always been present, but it was often less visible because families and schools found ways to cope. As the Shoes for Kids program has become better known, more families have reached out for assistance, and more community members and organizations have stepped forward to help. One of the program's key partners is Breedlove's Sporting Goods, which helps the United Way manage large shoe orders. Blair said Breedlove's developed a system that allows the organization to organize the shoes by family codes and efficiently distribute them. Other community partners include Kewanee Rotary, Galva Rotary, Kiwanis, Union Federal, the Elks, the Ministerial Association, St. John's, and St. Peter's, along with numerous individual donors. Kiwanis and OSF HealthCare Saint Luke Medical Center are also helping provide socks to accompany the shoes this year. Who Can Apply? Families seeking assistance must meet the program's eligibility requirements. Applicants can qualify by providing proof that the family receives SNAP/EBT benefits or Medicaid. Parents or guardians must also know the child's correct shoe size. Shoes are ordered specifically for each child and cannot be returned, making accurate sizing especially important. The program is available to eligible children attending participating schools, and applications are limited based on available funding. Community Support Makes the Program Possible Blair emphasized that every donation makes a difference. Contributions can range from a few dollars to larger gifts, with all funds helping provide shoes to local children. Donations can be made online at www.kauw.org by selecting the Shoes for Kids program. Checks may also be mailed to PO Box 426, Kewanee, IL, 61443, or dropped off at the Kewanee Area United Way office at 200 E. South Street. A recent example of community support came from the Kewanee High School Class of 1966, which organized a fundraiser for Shoes for Kids as part of its upcoming reunion. The group had already raised more than $1,800 and planned to continue fundraising through September. Blair encourages other organizations, clubs, card groups, and community members to consider organizing their own fundraisers to support the program. More Than Just a Pair of Shoes Blair described the program with the slogan, “A pair of shoes is the cost of safety and a sense of belonging.” She explained that having appropriate shoes can mean much more to a child than simply having a new pair of footwear. It can mean being able to participate in physical education, avoid embarrassment, and feel comfortable and confident alongside classmates.

United Way of River Cities Campaign Kickoff Interview 

Findlay City Schools Superintendent Dr. Andy Hatton shares his welcome back message to students, families and staff as the new school year begins (at 14:33) --- Community and Business Spotlight: From the kickoff of this year's fundraising campaign, the Fall Days of Caring and second annual Barrels and Bids event, September is shaping up to be a very busy month for the United Way of Hancock County (at 24:06) --- What's Happening: 50 North is coordinating plans for a special day of fun activities and programs for Senior Day at the Hancock County Fair (at 38:00)

This episode features a conversation how the ALICE index provides a more accurate county-by-county analysis of true cost-of-living challenges, and what the 2026 ALICE Report reveals about financial hardship across New York's counties. NYSAC Communications Director Tom Oldfather is joined by Therese Daly, President and CEO of United Way for New York State. They discuss how county officials can collaborate with United Way and workforce boards to identify community needs, address barriers to food access, and advocate for sustainable solutions to financial hardship. ALICE Report and county-level data available at: www.uwnys.org

Jamie Saunders, President & CEO of United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes, joins us to discuss how the role of United Way has evolved far beyond workplace giving and why community connection has never been more important.From mental health and housing to volunteerism, leadership, and the future of Rochester, Jamie shares why she remains optimistic despite the challenges facing families and nonprofits across our region.Chapters00:00 Introduction & Becoming an Empty Nester01:33 How United Way Has Changed Over the Years05:31 Rochester After the Pandemic12:20 The Loneliness Epidemic & Rebuilding Community22:00 The Biggest Pressures Facing Families Today34:02 Why Nonprofits Need to Think Differently39:16 Leadership, Burnout & Empathy44:26 Jamie's Vision for Rochester's Future Explore more Rochester Living Podcast episodes:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLT9MAsAiN2WUv-wSzGQssiEOLaZefmrdY#RochesterLiving #RochesterNY #UnitedWay #CommunityLeadership #Nonprofits #RochesterPodcast

Red River Valley Today with Jenny Wilson - United Way of Lamar County - Eric and Jenny cover the latest with the United Way of Lamar County, including an update on the Annual Breakfast Meeting, the 26-27 campaign kickoff, and a real look at the housing situation in Lamar County. The visit concludes with their take on reality TV. 

This week on bigcitysmalltown, we examine the latest ALICE data and the stark realities of financial hardship facing working families in San Antonio and Bexar County. According to a new report from UnitedforALICE and United Way, 44% of local households are struggling to afford basic needs—even when earning more than twice the federal poverty line.Host Cory Ames is joined by Stephanie Smith of United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, and Jonathan Gurwitz, United Way board member and partner at K. Harvey Brand Partners, to break down what the ALICE numbers reveal and what they mean for the city's present and future.They discuss:What ALICE means, how this data set is developed, and how it differs from federal poverty measurementsThe specific challenges impacting working families, including childcare, housing, and stagnant wagesHow local factors—from citywide childcare initiatives to workforce training programs—are addressing, or failing to address, the needs of nearly half the countyThe complex causes and cascading effects of financial strain on mental health, physical well-being, and the broader communityWhat policymakers, business leaders, and citizens should take away from this data as San Antonio considers budget priorities, new legislation, and future investmentsFor a clear-eyed look at how economic realities are shaping San Antonio—and the responses underway to meet those challenges—listen wherever you get your podcasts, or visit bigcitysmalltown.com.-- --GET THE NEWSLETTER

WSJM Afternoon News for 08-06-26See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Keri talked about another successful Let's Feed Our Children summer program, and a few events down the calendar coming up.

Ann sits down with Wendy Ellis (executive director of United Way of Waco) to discuss the 2nd annual Rhythm & Brew Karaoke Showdown, held at Waco's Backyard Bar Stage & Grill. Features musical performance by Dylan & Summer Smidgen.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When people think of emergency response, they often think of the number 911. But there is another important resource that can help connect Kentuckians with the support they need: 211.In this episode of the Bluegrass Beat, we explore how Kentucky 211 serves as a bridge between individuals, communities and critical resources. Host Critley King-Smith is joined by Roberta Steutermann, Vice President of Kentucky 211 with United Way, and Andrea Brown, State 211 Director and former Louisville Metro Police officer, to discuss what 211 is, how it works, and why it is an important tool for law enforcement and telecommunicators.…The Bluegrass Beat is recorded and produced by the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training's Public Information Office, a proud member of Team Kentucky. Like what you hear? We appreciate everyone who takes the time to subscribe and rate this podcast.Have a suggestion? Email host Critley King-Smith at critley.kingsmith@ky.gov to share feedback. Music by Music for Creators from Pixabay.‍ ‍

In this episode of Dishing with Stephanie's Dish, host Stephanie Hansen speaks with Jordyn Stocks from Paragis Outfitters Bookstore about the impact of recent wildfires on the Ely community, the role of the bookstore in supporting local culture, and the hidden gems of Ely. They discuss the diverse offerings of the bookstore, including popular book recommendations and the importance of community support during challenging times.Visit Ely, Minnesota for fun things to do year-round! Whether you are looking for a place to stay, a delicious meal, a hiking trail, or an immersion experience, we have businesses ready to meet your needs.Stephanie Hansen (00:00.824)Hello, everybody, and welcome to Dishing with Stephanie's Dish, the podcast where we talk to people in the food space, but I also talk to other people too. And I've been doing a little mini-series here for VisitElyMN.com to help you get to know some of the cool Ely businesses. Ely is my second home. It is the place where I wrote the True North Cabin cookbook, and it's very near and dear to my heart. And you may have heard that theyHave experienced some wildfires in the Boundary Waters Canoe area and around that area this summer. As of this recording, I think the fires are about 40 to 50% contained. Some of the evacuation areas have been lifted. And the town has just really done a great job of keeping people informed and safe. And I'm here today with Jordan Stocks. She is from Piragis Outfitters.And she particularly runs the bookstore that opened gosh, it was last summer already, wasn't it, Jordyn?Jordyn Stocks (00:59.77)Yes, yeah. So in the new space, we've been there since last May, but the bookstore itself has been around in some version for over 20 years now. So it'sStephanie Hansen (01:11.286)So what happened is is there was in the Piragis store, there was the bookstore on the second level, and they used to have another building down the street that they did some surplus kind of sales, and they've merged a lot of that together inside this building. And then you guys have paddle boards and canoes also across the street. Piragis sort of owns this corner that has a lot of fun stuff going on in Ely andI know that with the boundary waters permits being canceled and just opening up more recently to daytime. And I imagine we'll get some more areas that'll open up here as the summer progresses. Has it been a hard time for you guys at the store?Jordyn Stocks (01:54.437)It's it's yeah, it's been a little bit different. It's been a little quieter as you can imagine, in outfitting particularly without having the boundary waters open. We've definitely seen some slowdown in traffic there.Stephanie Hansen (02:07.315)And when you think about the bookstore, yeah. WhatJordyn Stocks (02:11.732)Yeah, the bookstore and the store have maintained like we've still been busy. We've still seen traffic. you know, not as busy as it would normally be. Blueberry festival would have been this weekend, as you know. that didn't happen. But yeah, overall it's still been we're hanging in there. It's still been still been a good weekend, but yeah, quieter.Stephanie Hansen (02:35.286)It's a good example of how smart it is for businesses to kind of silo to. Like, you know, you start with one thing that maybe is your core competency, but then to support the business through non-trip times, you know, you've got the clothing store and then you add the bookstore, which is kind of a year-round service business for the town in and of itself. It's cool to have so many different facets. And I know you guys sell online too and have a pretty big online following.Jordyn Stocks (02:43.473)Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, it it it does help that we have a few different things going on with the the clothing and the gifts and the gear and the books and the online presence. So that is that's been nice to have all of that going on. And we've definitely seen an uptick in in online sales and phone sales. So we're still shipping things out all over the country. We're still selling things to, you know, fire crews that are here, local folks that are out and about.People coming up for their cabins. Yeah.Stephanie Hansen (03:37.612)What is your history with Paragas and how did you get started and land in the bookstore component?Jordyn Stocks (03:41.76)well I've been here. This is my third no 14th summer here. So I started out just kind of part-time evening shifts in the retail store. And then the bookstore manager at the time, she was she was moving on to I think she was going back home to Chicago or somewhere. So I was excited about the prospect of working with the books and here I am.Thirteen years later. Stephanie Hansen (04:13.856)And you are an Ely resident. Are there some features about Ely in particular or locations that you feel are like hidden gems?Jordyn Stocks (04:23.909)Yeah, so I was actually born and raised here. So I don't know, growing up I kind of kind of probably took a lot of it for granted, but now you know seeing it with fresh eyes, I guess through people who were coming here for the first time and you know coming here repeatedly year after year. one of one of my favorite things is the the Ely Witten Historical Society. They have this cute little museum in the Vermillion Community College.It's it's free, they just feel like goodwill donations, it's self guided. But there's a lot of really interesting historical things there. They have a lot of a lot of books that were written by local folks about history and like very specific history, like the Birdside River or Winton and the lumber industry. So that's pretty fun local history. I love the sedan mine. It's it's open now for underground tours again, which I'm excited to do this summer. I haven't goneYears. Yeah, we just went.Stephanie Hansen (05:19.384)I'm trying to think.I did go to the Sedan Underground mine tour. It's super cool. I think I went, gosh, probably when I first started coming to Ely. So maybe, you know, like gosh, 20 years ago, but it was so cool to be taken underground and through the mine system. And you went with a original miner. So they would talk about like what their day was like. That seems like a uniqueaspect of being in northeast Minnesota because mining was such a pillar of what was happening here at the time. And just like being underground and the constant temperature, that was one of the highlights of one of the things I've done in town.Jordyn Stocks (06:04.049)Yeah, yeah, it's a it's a very cool experience. I'd highly recommend doing that. but yeah, other than that, we've got a lot of great hiking trails, places to canoe and paddle and swim and do all those things. Berry picking. there's always something to do. We've got a great yeah, we've got a great you know, local art scene with the theater and art shows, we've got the movie theater.It's just a lot of fun stuff to do, always always something.Stephanie Hansen (06:38.12)Absolutely. And I know you guys for such a smallish town, your bookstore has like a big footprint. You guys have sold a ton of the True North Cabin cookbooks for me, so thank you. Also, the Moon Tav the Moon Tavern.Jordyn Stocks (06:49.271)Yeah. Yeah, of course. Thanks for coming and Yeah. Yeah, the the new one's been popular.Stephanie Hansen (06:58.964)And also Kurt's book, The Barrens, the Canoe Book has still done well too. So I wanna thank you for that. And I know you guys have a lot of artists that come through and authors that come through. When you're stocking the bookstore, like who would you say is your ideal customer that you're stocking for? Because you have like such a great romance section, a good kid section.Jordyn Stocks (07:21.126)Gosh, that that's a tough one. and it changes, I feel. a lot of people are just are looking for a book to take out on trip with them. Something something that's gonna like be engaging right away, something that's engrossing. they don't want a lot of heavy reading necessarily. But we've also got people who want, you know, the latest best sellers, the things they're seeing on on book talk or theYou know, Reese's book picks or all those things. but also a lot of people looking for local history, things about the area, just something to kind of you know put them in the mindset of being here in the woods. Yeah. A lot of lot of different customers, a lot of variety.Stephanie Hansen (08:07.916) I imagine maybe that changes as you get into the winter months too and it's more of the regular town folk versus the though you have a big visitors that come in the winter too, ‘cause we come and go snowmobiling, we cross country ski.Jordyn Stocks (08:19.792)Yeah. Yeah, yeah, totally. Yeah, there's definitely people coming all year round. It's it's of course, you know, a little a little more mellow in the winter, not as much foot traffic. But yeah, definitely a lot of locals will they'll special order things, you know, they heard about on the radio or they read about in the paper, or you know, they've gottheir favorite Minnesota authors having a new book come out and they want to pre-order that. So yeah.Stephanie Hansen (08:49.877)Yes. I love that. if you could pick three books that you think are kind of buzzy right now that you see that people are excited about, we'll we'll throw them out there because I think I'm always looking for new reads.Jordyn Stocks (09:05.333)Yeah, so people right now are looking for Theo of Golden. I'm blanking on the author's name, but they're also looking for the correspondent and Calamity Club. And then the newest William Kent Krueger book, which won't be out tillAugust, but you know, they're always looking for his latest. Stephanie Hansen (09:29.815)I think I'm the only one in the world that didn't love that Theo of Golden Book, but you know, everybody's got their own vibes.Jordyn Stocks (09:34.01)I haven't read it, but I've definitely that seems like a book that people are either loving or they're hating. There's no in-between on that, as far as I'm hearing.Stephanie Hansen (09:51.192)I feel like that's also what is the name of the book? And I bought it at your store about the social media influencer who gets dropped into the eighteen hundreds.Jordyn Stocks (10:00.429)Yesteryear. That one's been really popular too. Yeah, that's another love it or hate it one. Yeah.Stephanie Hansen (10:02.347)Yes. Another book that I yes, like I totally hate read that book and read the whole thing and hated it, but kept going. It it was, you know how sometimes you don't love a book, but it's compelling enough to keep reading and sort of see what happens at the end.it's fascinating, I think, that that book got so much traction. But I don't know, like I I love the diversity of what you guys offer there. You have a ton of local too, like Abby Yaminez. I know you have a large section for her romance books. And romance is a big seller.Jordyn Stocks (10:36.246)We do. Yep. It is. We never used to carry much of it or like have much of a demand for it, but it's been like flying off the shelves lately. I I don't I don't know what it is, but and and that's not a genre that I typically read. So I I've been relying a lot on like s like coworker and customer recommendations, which has been fun. .Stephanie Hansen (11:09.793)It for your personal life, like you probably have to read a lot of books. Like how many books do you think you read in a month?Jordyn Stocks (11:17.462)And I I don't know. I also listen to a lot of books, but I don't know how many I read in a month. Probably like half a dozen, maybe. I don't I don't really know. I doStephanie Hansen (11:31.064)That's a lot. I listen to people talk about, you know, is listening to a book the same as reading or does it count? It's like who's keeping score number one? And yes, it counts. when you can think of a book that is narrated by someone that really makes it come alive, like I just listened to Whistler by Ann Patchett, which I don't know if I would have liked that book as much if she hadn't read it.Jordyn Stocks (11:58.966)Yeah, I totally get that. I I listen to more nonfiction, more memoirs and things, and I especially love when the author reads it. Like David Sederis will read his own, like Nick Offerman reads his own. They're both really great to listen to. And it's just I don't know, it it I think it brings a lot more to it in that circumstance. So but yeah. before we break here, I do want to mention that you guys have the catalog. And in the catalog are you have a lot of books in the catalog, a lot of the cookbooks, the seasonal books, there's also gear.Jordyn Stocks (13:16.393)We do. We do, yeah, and we have the website as well that's fully shoppable, the Boundary Waters catalog website. there's I mean certainly more than what was in the catalog, but not not as much as in the store. But there is quite a variety there and I'm I'm always happy to special order things too if someone's looking for something that they're not seeing in the store oron the website that's happy to look for things. Yeah.Stephanie Hansen (13:43.949)That's good to know. That's good to know because I know there's been a lot of interest in supporting Ely in particular. I'm going to link there's a fund that's been established that the United Way of Northeastern Minnesota is putting together and there's three pillars that you can donate to. One is nonprofits, one is Ely specific small business, which I appreciate. And also there is an opportunity to donate to the Wildfire Fund. SoI will put that in the show notes. Anything you want people to know specifically about Ely before we break?Jordyn Stocks (14:15.351)Great.gosh. it's just it's just such a great place to to live and to visit. There's you know great people here. Just the way you know you've mentioned people have been showing up for one another and supporting people during this just weird, uncertain wildfire time. It's it's been really cool. It's just a great place to be. Lots, yeah.Stephanie Hansen (14:42.423)I think so too. We're lucky. And we're lucky to have you, Jordan, be such a good supporter of books and reading. And I appreciate everything Piragis has done for our books. And I'm looking forward to seeing you soon. I always pop in to sign books and I'll see you, I'm sure, in the next week.Jordyn Stocks (14:59.62)Yeah, sorry I missed you yesterday. Hopefully we'll see you soon. All right. Wonderful. You too. Absolutely. Thanks for having me. Bye.Stephanie Hansen (15:02.34)Yeah. you will, you will. It's good to see you again, Jordan, and thanks for being a guest. Okay, bye-bye. Mm-hmm.Stephanie Hansen's @StephaniesDish Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stephaniehansen.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Dishing with Stephanie's Dish, host Stephanie Hansen speaks with Jordyn Stocks from Paragis Outfitters Bookstore about the impact of recent wildfires on the Ely community, the role of the bookstore in supporting local culture, and the hidden gems of Ely. They discuss the diverse offerings of the bookstore, including popular book recommendations and the importance of community support during challenging times.Visit Ely, Minnesota for fun things to do year-round! Whether you are looking for a place to stay, a delicious meal, a hiking trail, or an immersion experience, we have businesses ready to meet your needs.Stephanie Hansen (00:00.824)Hello, everybody, and welcome to Dishing with Stephanie's Dish, the podcast where we talk to people in the food space, but I also talk to other people too. And I've been doing a little mini-series here for VisitElyMN.com to help you get to know some of the cool Ely businesses. Ely is my second home. It is the place where I wrote the True North Cabin cookbook, and it's very near and dear to my heart. And you may have heard that theyHave experienced some wildfires in the Boundary Waters Canoe area and around that area this summer. As of this recording, I think the fires are about 40 to 50% contained. Some of the evacuation areas have been lifted. And the town has just really done a great job of keeping people informed and safe. And I'm here today with Jordan Stocks. She is from Piragis Outfitters.And she particularly runs the bookstore that opened gosh, it was last summer already, wasn't it, Jordyn?Jordyn Stocks (00:59.77)Yes, yeah. So in the new space, we've been there since last May, but the bookstore itself has been around in some version for over 20 years now. So it'sStephanie Hansen (01:11.286)So what happened is is there was in the Piragis store, there was the bookstore on the second level, and they used to have another building down the street that they did some surplus kind of sales, and they've merged a lot of that together inside this building. And then you guys have paddle boards and canoes also across the street. Piragis sort of owns this corner that has a lot of fun stuff going on in Ely andI know that with the boundary waters permits being canceled and just opening up more recently to daytime. And I imagine we'll get some more areas that'll open up here as the summer progresses. Has it been a hard time for you guys at the store?Jordyn Stocks (01:54.437)It's it's yeah, it's been a little bit different. It's been a little quieter as you can imagine, in outfitting particularly without having the boundary waters open. We've definitely seen some slowdown in traffic there.Stephanie Hansen (02:07.315)And when you think about the bookstore, yeah. WhatJordyn Stocks (02:11.732)Yeah, the bookstore and the store have maintained like we've still been busy. We've still seen traffic. you know, not as busy as it would normally be. Blueberry festival would have been this weekend, as you know. that didn't happen. But yeah, overall it's still been we're hanging in there. It's still been still been a good weekend, but yeah, quieter.Stephanie Hansen (02:35.286)It's a good example of how smart it is for businesses to kind of silo to. Like, you know, you start with one thing that maybe is your core competency, but then to support the business through non-trip times, you know, you've got the clothing store and then you add the bookstore, which is kind of a year-round service business for the town in and of itself. It's cool to have so many different facets. And I know you guys sell online too and have a pretty big online following.Jordyn Stocks (02:43.473)Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, it it it does help that we have a few different things going on with the the clothing and the gifts and the gear and the books and the online presence. So that is that's been nice to have all of that going on. And we've definitely seen an uptick in in online sales and phone sales. So we're still shipping things out all over the country. We're still selling things to, you know, fire crews that are here, local folks that are out and about.People coming up for their cabins. Yeah.Stephanie Hansen (03:37.612)What is your history with Paragas and how did you get started and land in the bookstore component?Jordyn Stocks (03:41.76)well I've been here. This is my third no 14th summer here. So I started out just kind of part-time evening shifts in the retail store. And then the bookstore manager at the time, she was she was moving on to I think she was going back home to Chicago or somewhere. So I was excited about the prospect of working with the books and here I am.Thirteen years later. Stephanie Hansen (04:13.856)And you are an Ely resident. Are there some features about Ely in particular or locations that you feel are like hidden gems?Jordyn Stocks (04:23.909)Yeah, so I was actually born and raised here. So I don't know, growing up I kind of kind of probably took a lot of it for granted, but now you know seeing it with fresh eyes, I guess through people who were coming here for the first time and you know coming here repeatedly year after year. one of one of my favorite things is the the Ely Witten Historical Society. They have this cute little museum in the Vermillion Community College.It's it's free, they just feel like goodwill donations, it's self guided. But there's a lot of really interesting historical things there. They have a lot of a lot of books that were written by local folks about history and like very specific history, like the Birdside River or Winton and the lumber industry. So that's pretty fun local history. I love the sedan mine. It's it's open now for underground tours again, which I'm excited to do this summer. I haven't goneYears. Yeah, we just went.Stephanie Hansen (05:19.384)I'm trying to think.I did go to the Sedan Underground mine tour. It's super cool. I think I went, gosh, probably when I first started coming to Ely. So maybe, you know, like gosh, 20 years ago, but it was so cool to be taken underground and through the mine system. And you went with a original miner. So they would talk about like what their day was like. That seems like a uniqueaspect of being in northeast Minnesota because mining was such a pillar of what was happening here at the time. And just like being underground and the constant temperature, that was one of the highlights of one of the things I've done in town.Jordyn Stocks (06:04.049)Yeah, yeah, it's a it's a very cool experience. I'd highly recommend doing that. but yeah, other than that, we've got a lot of great hiking trails, places to canoe and paddle and swim and do all those things. Berry picking. there's always something to do. We've got a great yeah, we've got a great you know, local art scene with the theater and art shows, we've got the movie theater.It's just a lot of fun stuff to do, always always something.Stephanie Hansen (06:38.12)Absolutely. And I know you guys for such a smallish town, your bookstore has like a big footprint. You guys have sold a ton of the True North Cabin cookbooks for me, so thank you. Also, the Moon Tav the Moon Tavern.Jordyn Stocks (06:49.271)Yeah. Yeah, of course. Thanks for coming and Yeah. Yeah, the the new one's been popular.Stephanie Hansen (06:58.964)And also Kurt's book, The Barrens, the Canoe Book has still done well too. So I wanna thank you for that. And I know you guys have a lot of artists that come through and authors that come through. When you're stocking the bookstore, like who would you say is your ideal customer that you're stocking for? Because you have like such a great romance section, a good kid section.Jordyn Stocks (07:21.126)Gosh, that that's a tough one. and it changes, I feel. a lot of people are just are looking for a book to take out on trip with them. Something something that's gonna like be engaging right away, something that's engrossing. they don't want a lot of heavy reading necessarily. But we've also got people who want, you know, the latest best sellers, the things they're seeing on on book talk or theYou know, Reese's book picks or all those things. but also a lot of people looking for local history, things about the area, just something to kind of you know put them in the mindset of being here in the woods. Yeah. A lot of lot of different customers, a lot of variety.Stephanie Hansen (08:07.916) I imagine maybe that changes as you get into the winter months too and it's more of the regular town folk versus the though you have a big visitors that come in the winter too, ‘cause we come and go snowmobiling, we cross country ski.Jordyn Stocks (08:19.792)Yeah. Yeah, yeah, totally. Yeah, there's definitely people coming all year round. It's it's of course, you know, a little a little more mellow in the winter, not as much foot traffic. But yeah, definitely a lot of locals will they'll special order things, you know, they heard about on the radio or they read about in the paper, or you know, they've gottheir favorite Minnesota authors having a new book come out and they want to pre-order that. So yeah.Stephanie Hansen (08:49.877)Yes. I love that. if you could pick three books that you think are kind of buzzy right now that you see that people are excited about, we'll we'll throw them out there because I think I'm always looking for new reads.Jordyn Stocks (09:05.333)Yeah, so people right now are looking for Theo of Golden. I'm blanking on the author's name, but they're also looking for the correspondent and Calamity Club. And then the newest William Kent Krueger book, which won't be out tillAugust, but you know, they're always looking for his latest. Stephanie Hansen (09:29.815)I think I'm the only one in the world that didn't love that Theo of Golden Book, but you know, everybody's got their own vibes.Jordyn Stocks (09:34.01)I haven't read it, but I've definitely that seems like a book that people are either loving or they're hating. There's no in-between on that, as far as I'm hearing.Stephanie Hansen (09:51.192)I feel like that's also what is the name of the book? And I bought it at your store about the social media influencer who gets dropped into the eighteen hundreds.Jordyn Stocks (10:00.429)Yesteryear. That one's been really popular too. Yeah, that's another love it or hate it one. Yeah.Stephanie Hansen (10:02.347)Yes. Another book that I yes, like I totally hate read that book and read the whole thing and hated it, but kept going. It it was, you know how sometimes you don't love a book, but it's compelling enough to keep reading and sort of see what happens at the end.it's fascinating, I think, that that book got so much traction. But I don't know, like I I love the diversity of what you guys offer there. You have a ton of local too, like Abby Yaminez. I know you have a large section for her romance books. And romance is a big seller.Jordyn Stocks (10:36.246)We do. Yep. It is. We never used to carry much of it or like have much of a demand for it, but it's been like flying off the shelves lately. I I don't I don't know what it is, but and and that's not a genre that I typically read. So I I've been relying a lot on like s like coworker and customer recommendations, which has been fun. .Stephanie Hansen (11:09.793)It for your personal life, like you probably have to read a lot of books. Like how many books do you think you read in a month?Jordyn Stocks (11:17.462)And I I don't know. I also listen to a lot of books, but I don't know how many I read in a month. Probably like half a dozen, maybe. I don't I don't really know. I doStephanie Hansen (11:31.064)That's a lot. I listen to people talk about, you know, is listening to a book the same as reading or does it count? It's like who's keeping score number one? And yes, it counts. when you can think of a book that is narrated by someone that really makes it come alive, like I just listened to Whistler by Ann Patchett, which I don't know if I would have liked that book as much if she hadn't read it.Jordyn Stocks (11:58.966)Yeah, I totally get that. I I listen to more nonfiction, more memoirs and things, and I especially love when the author reads it. Like David Sederis will read his own, like Nick Offerman reads his own. They're both really great to listen to. And it's just I don't know, it it I think it brings a lot more to it in that circumstance. So but yeah. before we break here, I do want to mention that you guys have the catalog. And in the catalog are you have a lot of books in the catalog, a lot of the cookbooks, the seasonal books, there's also gear.Jordyn Stocks (13:16.393)We do. We do, yeah, and we have the website as well that's fully shoppable, the Boundary Waters catalog website. there's I mean certainly more than what was in the catalog, but not not as much as in the store. But there is quite a variety there and I'm I'm always happy to special order things too if someone's looking for something that they're not seeing in the store oron the website that's happy to look for things. Yeah.Stephanie Hansen (13:43.949)That's good to know. That's good to know because I know there's been a lot of interest in supporting Ely in particular. I'm going to link there's a fund that's been established that the United Way of Northeastern Minnesota is putting together and there's three pillars that you can donate to. One is nonprofits, one is Ely specific small business, which I appreciate. And also there is an opportunity to donate to the Wildfire Fund. SoI will put that in the show notes. Anything you want people to know specifically about Ely before we break?Jordyn Stocks (14:15.351)Great.gosh. it's just it's just such a great place to to live and to visit. There's you know great people here. Just the way you know you've mentioned people have been showing up for one another and supporting people during this just weird, uncertain wildfire time. It's it's been really cool. It's just a great place to be. Lots, yeah.Stephanie Hansen (14:42.423)I think so too. We're lucky. And we're lucky to have you, Jordan, be such a good supporter of books and reading. And I appreciate everything Piragis has done for our books. And I'm looking forward to seeing you soon. I always pop in to sign books and I'll see you, I'm sure, in the next week.Jordyn Stocks (14:59.62)Yeah, sorry I missed you yesterday. Hopefully we'll see you soon. All right. Wonderful. You too. Absolutely. Thanks for having me. Bye.Stephanie Hansen (15:02.34)Yeah. you will, you will. It's good to see you again, Jordan, and thanks for being a guest. Okay, bye-bye. Mm-hmm.Stephanie Hansen's @StephaniesDish Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stephaniehansen.substack.com/subscribe

Ron Hustvedt is in to talk all about GameFair in Ramsey opening August 7th, previews a few pieces he's written for Outdoor News and talks bass fishing. Plus his first Fast Five, and we check in with Denae and Halen for the Lueken's Village Foods United Way Fishing Tournament results.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.