Live Local, Give Local

Episode 47 | A Promising Next Step | Lisa Stout, Executive Director, Project Next, and Dan Gross, Community Development

In this final episode of Season 1 of "Live Local, Give Local" listeners enjoy a great conversation between Charles Parisi, the Host (filling in for Dave Mason), this episode's co-host, Adriana O'Donnell, and the team from San Marcos Promise, Lisa Stout, the Executive Director, and Dan Gross, who spearheads Community Development. In a fun episode where the benefit of belonging to San Diego Gives happened live on the air, Lisa and Dan share with listeners the power, the purpose and the promise of the organization. Helping students in North County San Diego find their next steps after high school is in many respects fueled by lack of resources in many school districts for high school counselors. Lisa, a counselor for 20 years, mentions that schools can have anywhere from 450 - 600 students for every counselor. Thus, the need for San Marcos Promise and their many services to help students find their fit, their way, their path. Speaking of next steps, listeners are treated to exciting "on the air" breaking news! The success of San Marcos Promise has led the organization to consider what is next in their quest to help more students. And what did they decide? An entire new brand to reflect the new direction and ethos - they will now be known as Project Next! Special thanks to Lisa Stout and Dan Gross for joining and helping close out Season 1 of "Live Local, Give Local." For more information on San Marcos Promise and Project Next, we encourage you to visit www.projectnext.org. Thank you for listening and giving where you're living! Building local capacity for non-profits to foster phenomenal relationships and best practices is the heart and soul of San Diego Gives. For more information on the many services of San Diego Gives, please visit www.SanDiegoGives.org.

Episode 46 | Empowering Survivors | Stephanie Miller, CEO, Jill Marshall, Deputy Director, Women's Resource Center

In this episode of "Live Local, Give Local" listeners enjoy a great conversation between Charles Parisi, the Host, this episode's co-host, Adriana O'Donnell, Stephanie Miller (CEO), and Jill Marshall (Deputy Director) of the Women's Resource Center.The Women's Resource Center was founded almost 50 years ago in 1974 by a group of Oceanside women who recognized the need for a rape crisis center in their community. Initially, they provided shelter in undisclosed locations, but now they offer a range of services including shelter, transitional housing, emergency services, and more. They serve individuals primarily in North County and San Diego, offering assistance to both women and men, with approximately 5% of their clients being males.Listen as Stephanie and Jill challenges their organization faces. One such challenge is technology, as abusers can use cell phones and tracking devices to locate survivors. To protect clients, they have to consider strategies like disposing of phones and cars to ensure safety. Childcare is another significant challenge, as affordable childcare is hard to find and can be a barrier to survivors' ability to find employment and stability.The Women's Resource Center relies on a combination of government funding, individual donations, and foundation support to operate. They joined San Diego Gives to raise awareness, increase visibility, and engage potential donors and volunteers to support their mission. Listen as Stephanie and Jill highlight the need for additional funding to cover expenses such as Uber rides, security deposits, first month's rent, and childcare.For more information on the many services of San Diego Gives, please visit www.SanDiegoGives.org.

Episode 45 | Supporting Trans Youth | Kathie Moehlig, Founder, TransFamily Support Services

In this episode of "Live Local, Give Local" listeners enjoy a great conversation between Charles Parisi, the Host, this episode's co-host, Adriana O'Donnell, Kathie Moehlig the founder of TransFamily Support Services.Listen in as Kathie explains that the catalyst for starting TransFamily Support Services: her personal experience as the parent of a transgender child. Her son began his transition at the age of eleven, at a time when many people were unfamiliar with the concept of transgender identity, and there were limited resources and support available. Kathie's advocacy journey began when she faced challenges finding doctors and support for her child. She shares how she relentlessly pursued medical care, education, and support for her son, eventually leading to the founding of TransFamily Support Services eight years ago. Since then, the organization has served over 4,000 transgender individuals and their families across the country.The conversation touches on various aspects of the organization's work, including support groups, mentorship programs, family coaching, insurance and medical navigation, and educational initiatives. Kathie highlights the importance of creating affirming and supportive environments for transgender individuals, especially children and teens. She emphasizes the importance of proper education and training for professionals in the healthcare system.The conversation shifts towards the challenges of navigating insurance and policy barriers for transgender individuals. Kathie explains how her organization helps individuals and their families advocate for their rights, including appealing insurance denials and ensuring access to medically necessary treatments. Kathie also discusses the importance of allies and advocates in creating a more inclusive society. She mentions her organization's efforts to teach people how to be better allies and accomplices, urging everyone to stand up against discrimination and hatred.The episode concludes with a discussion about San Diego Gives and the role it plays in supporting local organizations like TransFamily Support Services. Kathie expresses gratitude for the platform and the opportunity to connect with donors and volunteers in the San Diego community.For more information on the many services of San Diego Gives, please visit www.SanDiegoGives.org.

Episode 44 | Nourishing Communities | Michelle Lerach, Founder, Christina Ng, "Foundation Cultivator", Berry Good

In this episode of "Live Local, Give Local" listeners enjoy a great conversation between Charles Parisi, the Host, this episode's co-host, Adriana O'Donnell, Michelle Lerach and Christina Ng of Berry Good.In this podcast episode, the hosts introduce their guests from the Berry Good Food Foundation, a nonprofit organization. The guests are Michelle Lerach, the founder of the organization, and Christina Ng, the "Foundation Cultivator." Hear Michelle talk about how she transitioned from being a lawyer to founding the Berry Good Food Foundation after working on a goat farm in Sonoma during a sabbatical. It was there that she realized the power of community support for farmers and wanted to create a similar sense of community in San Diego, which led her to start the Berry Goodnight Dinner in 2010.The dinner brought together chefs, farmers, food activists, and writers to connect and share. Over the years, this community expanded to both sides of the border, creating a strong network in the region. The Berry Good Food Foundation was formed as an extension of this community, with a focus on teaching people how to cook and grow their own food, creating a fair and equitable food system.Christina shares her experience of meeting Michelle at one of the Berry dinners and how it led to a life-changing connection with her now-husband, a farmer. Listen in on a discussion about the importance of access to healthy food and how partnerships with organizations like the Berry Good Food Foundation help ensure that families in San Diego County have access to quality healthcare and nutritious food.Hear Michelle emphasize the need to challenge the industrial food system and advocates for policy changes to promote healthier food choices. She mentions the organization's signature program, Seeds for the Future, which focuses on school gardens, and the Future Thought Leaders panels, which aim to educate people about food and its impact on health. Michelle also talks about the role of community partnerships and how organizations like San Diego Gives can help them expand their reach and impact.For more information on the many services of San Diego Gives, please visit www.SanDiegoGives.org.

Episode 43 | Saving Lives One Pint at a Time | Cherryl Castro-Lector, Development Manager, San Diego Blood Bank

In this episode of "Live Local, Give Local" listeners enjoy a great conversation between Dave Mason, the Host, this episode's co-host, David Drazenovich, and Cherryl Castro-Lector, the Development Manager at the San Diego Blood BankThe Blood Bank organizes large blood drives like the Padres Summer Blood Drive and Comic Con to collect blood units that save thousands of lives. To address the aging out of donors and increase awareness, the San Diego Blood Bank conducts tours, reaches out to schools, and collaborates with various organizations. Listen as Cheryl shares heartwarming stories like that of a recipient who received 30 units of life-saving blood after a severe accident and now organizes blood drives and advocates for donations.Hear Cheryl speak about the essential role of the blood bank in the community, comparing it to a fire hydrant that goes unnoticed until someone requires blood for medical treatment. The blood bank depends on financial support from individual donors, community foundations, and local corporations. Listen in on a conversation emphasizing the need for both blood and financial donors, showcasing the impact a single blood donation can have on someone's life. Cheryl's hope for the future is to continue educating the community about blood donation and the interconnectedness it brings to society. For more information on the many services of San Diego Gives, please visit www.SanDiegoGives.org.