Providing a wealth of services to those in need across 21 Virginia counties

Catholic Charities is one of the largest charities in the US with a mission to serve those in need, promote social justice, and call the church and other people of good will to do the same.  There are more than 160 local Catholic Charities agencies nationwide that serve millions of people each year with a broad array of services - without regard to their religious, social, or economic backgrounds.  We are joined by Sally O'Dwyer, Director of Volunteers for the Arlington Diocese, and 20+ year veteran of work as a full-time servant.  Sally talks about what prompted her to begin doing this work; some of the many programs Catholic Charities offers; and some stories about the impact her organization has had.

A one-minute call to action.

The International House of Pancakes. 

The power of listening and being there for someone.  People need to be heard, recognized, and reminded that they matter.

A shout out to volunteers...

Full interview. 

For more information:  http://www.ccda.net/

Resolving conflict through shared origins, shared values, and healing historical memory

There is a good deal of ignorance about the world's dominant monotheistic religions, i.e., Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.  There are also some who seek to take advantage of this ignorance to stir up conflict and strife for selfish gain.  Today's guest believes that educating people on the shared origins and values of their religions leads them to work more effectively together towards peace.  He has seen the ease and enthusiasm with which Muslims, Christians, and Jews can work together when ignorance is removed, and he's working to apply these concepts to conflicts throughout our country and world.  Joseph Montville is a Director at the School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University.  He has had a long and distinguished career including serving 23 years as a diplomat with posts in the Middle East and North Africa; faculty appointments at the Harvard and University of Virginia Medical Schools; and serving as Chief of the State Department's Near East Division, and the Director of its Office of Global Issues. 

A call to provide a safe environment where people can listen to each other and learn.

A vision for a 24x7 center for conflict dialogue and healing in Virginia.

The legacy of the Civil War on race relations in the U.S.

Full interview. 

For more information:  http://scar.gmu.edu/ 

A soccer, poetry and community service program makes a big impact on DC schools

DC Scores is a non-profit organization serving over 2,000 low-income children in DC through an opt-in program that combines soccer, poetry, and community service.  Their model focuses on reaching children at an early age; changing the relationship between school kids, parents, teachers, schools, and the community; and making a long-lasting impact on all of these groups.  We are joined by Bethany Rubin Henderson, the Executive Director of DC Scores, who describes the program and its impact, her journey to her current role, and some advice that served her well as she made decisions about her career.  

A 60 second call to action. 

A poem by Jalia C., age 9, from Aiton Elementary School. 

A poem by Erica B., age 10, from Seaton Elementary School. 

A poem by Keshly A., age 10, from Bancroft Elementary School. 

Advice for Millennials.

Full interview.

Serving the amazing kids in underserved neighborhoods

Little Lights is a DC-based non-profit serving underserved youth and their families in Southeast Washington, DC.  Over the past 20 years, it has grown from one man tutoring children at his parent’s store to an organization with 13 full-time and 40 part-time staff; 120 weekly volunteers; and 45 adults who meet with and mentor kids, one-on-one, on weekends.  We are joined by Founder and Executive Director Steve Park, who talks about the kids they work with and the importance of compassion.

A call to action to view strangers and the vulnerable with compassion - and in turn help yourself.

There are amazing kids in underserved neighborhoods with parents who deeply care about them.

Just working with the kids is not enough.

Full interview.

For more information:  http://www.littlelights.org/

A small congregation works to provide meals and affordable housing in Ballston

The Ballston Metro is a place where the homeless, working class, and affluent mix.  Just across the street, the 70-person Central United Methodist Church has been providing a breakfast, bagged lunch, and shelter to the homeless every Friday morning; and has launched a new non-profit organization (the Ballston Station Housing Corporation) in order to transform its property into a mixed-use facility that will provide affordable housing options in the heart of Ballston.  Pastor Sarah Harrison-McQueen joins us to discuss her church's efforts to engage its surrounding community and make a difference. 

A 60 second call-to-action.   

A prayer walk leads to feeding the hungry and a plan to provide affordable housing in the heart of Ballston.

How life experiences can prepare your heart for your mission.

Full interview. 

A church for people who don't go to church

Many people don't see the relevance of the Christian church to today's world, so they don't attend church services.  Others have been hurt by the church and wound up abandoning their Christian faith as a result.  What's needed for them is a new kind of church - one that extends grace and gives people the space and time they need to build a relationship with Jesus.  We are joined tonight by John Slye, Senior Pastor at Grace Community Church - a church for people who don't go to church. 

A call to model the grace, forgiveness, and servant heart of Jesus Christ.

The only religion in the world where the central act of its faith is the humiliation of its God. 

What our world needs are people who are radically forgiving, kind, and patient.  Here's why.

Forgiveness always hurts and comes at a cost - but it's powerful enough to change the world.

Full interview. 

For more information:  http://trygrace.org/

A university president becomes homeless for a night

On a cold night this past February, our guest shed his business suit, put on the most beat-up clothes he could find, and hit the streets for a night of homelessness.  Dr. Matthew Shank is the President of Marymount University, and the idea of doing this occurred to him after receiving an invitation to speak at an A-SPAN fundraiser.  A-SPAN is a local nonprofit dedicated to ending homelessness in Arlington, and after accepting the invitation Dr. Shank realized he didn't know a thing about being homeless.  He also felt compelled to heed Pope Francis' call to stay close to the marginalized and to be shepherds living with the smell of the sheep.

A call to provide basic needs for the homeless. 

We need to treat the homeless as people.   

Full interview. 

A call to wage peace

Tim Sample is an Arlington resident and the CEO and Co-Founder of 72 Africa, a non-profit committed to conflict resolution and promoting peace in Africa.  We asked Tim to join us and talk about some of the sustainable peacemaking lessons he’s learned over a 40 year career working mostly in the intelligence and policy communities, and how those lessons can help us work through the current challenges we’re facing as a nation.  Tim talks about the danger and promise of an increasingly young African population, the threat of influence by violent extremists, and how this threat could affect our country.   

An 80 second call to action - including a social media challenge as we approach the September 21st International Day of Peace.

Can we win at peace like we win at war?

Full interview.

A reset for our troubled nation - July 16 on the National Mall

Our country is in need of a reset.  We are divided on numerous fronts including politics, race, socioeconomic status, and religion.  Our government is broken, our nation is broke, and there's a rising sentiment that our country and the world are spinning out of control.  Against this backdrop, a young man named Nick Hall has sparked a movement to put Jesus Christ in the pulse of our nation.  Nick's organization (PULSE) has orchestrated a large gathering on the National Mall on Saturday, July 16th, where they are inviting Christians throughout our nation to set aside their denominational and theological differences and come together for a day of thanksgiving, prayer, and praise.  They are praying for one million people to come and have lined up an outstanding group of speakers and performers including Hillsong United, Ravi Zacharias, and DC's very own Mark Batterson from National Community Church. 

60 second call to action:  Pray for a shift in our nation, and get off the sidelines.  You're the answer to the prayer you've been praying.

A quick and urgent call for Divine intervention.

Full interview. 

Encouraging service here and abroad

Today we hosted Michelle Haworth, Executive Director of Commissioned by Christ (CBC), and Kathryn Hogan, the Christian Service Coordinator at Bishop O’Connell High School.  CBC is an 8-year-old, local non-profit that has organized 16 international mission trips over the past 6 years, and numerous local one-day service projects.  Until last year, they were completely volunteer-led when they hired Michelle as Executive Director.  Bishop O'Connell is an Arlington-based Catholic High School where all 1,100 students are required to complete ten hours of community service work per year - and many students choose to go well beyond this by participating in things like short-term mission trips overseas.  Their organizations recently joined forces on a trip to Peru and they are working to collaborate on more projects in the future.  CBC is a great example of the impact a few college students can make when they determine in their hearts to serve; and Bishop O'Connell is a great example of what can be accomplished when a school makes community service a priority. 

There are plenty of opportunities to get involved in your community and overseas.

You're here and you're able - so step up and go!

Full interview. 

Promoting a love for Arlington history

Annette and Mark Benbow joined us from the Arlington Historical Society to discuss their love of history and to challenge listeners to honor our past by finding something historical that resonates with us.   Annette serves as the Museum Director of the Ball-Sellers House in Glencarlyn, which is the oldest building in Arlington.  Mark, her husband, is a History Professor at Marymount University and a Director at the Arlington Historical Society.  They are great examples of pursuing your passion in your vocation and community service.     

Anybody can find something in history that hits home with them.

History is people and it's all around us.

Full interview. 

Helping our food-insecure Arlington neighbors

Dr. Andy Semmel has had a long, distinguished career in public service focusing on foreign policy and national security issues, including serving as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Nuclear Nonproliferation from 2003 to 2007.  But the thing he joined us to talk about is his work as a volunteer with the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) since 2008.  AFAC is a local, 25-year-old nonprofit whose mission is to provide supplemental groceries to our Arlington neighbors in need.  They operate 18 sites throughout Arlington County that serve nearly 2,200 families each week.  Andy derives a great deal of joy from this work and considers it something he simply must do not only for the benefit of others, but for his own benefit.  Please note that Andy was delayed in joining the live broadcast, so the interview begins at around the 17:00 mark.  During the first 17 minutes of the show, Sal and Ed offer up information on AFAC along with some interesting statistics and stories. 

A 90 second call to action.

The surprising mix of people who need assistance. 

Full interview. 

For more information:  https://afac.org/

Promoting sustainable peace in Africa

Tim Sample is an Arlington resident and CEO and Co-Founder of 72 Africa, a non-profit organization committed to conflict resolution and promoting peace in Africa.  It’s becoming increasingly clear that reacting to major threats around the world after they emerge is not a sustainable strategy.  For example, as of June 2015, the United States was spending $9 million per day fighting ISIS, yet the State Department spends only $5.75 million per year on civil-society-led CVE (countering violent extremism) initiatives across the entire globe.  We are experts at waging war, yet not so good at waging peace.  72 Africa is developing and implementing preventative programs designed to head off the growing influence of groups like ISIS and Boko Haram before they pose a threat to Africa and the United States. 

One minute call to action.

A funny yet telling story.

Full interview. 

A path to self-reliance for single young mothers

Darlene Bakke is the Executive Director of Borromeo Housing (BHI) in Arlington, VA.  BHI’s mission is to help homeless young mothers become self-reliant in the community through a unique and proven approach focused on education, transitional housing, and child development. Since its inception in 1998, BHI has helped nearly 1,000 young women and their babies, with over 90% of the program’s graduates living independently.

90 second call to action.

A success story.

Full interview. 

Serving and encouraging job seekers

John Brown is a West Point graduate who served 22 years in the US Army, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 2012, who has been serving as a volunteer with Career Confidence for the past three years.  Career Confidence sponsors free seminars every Saturday where industry experts help job seekers become the most marketable candidates they can be.  Previously known as Beltway Job Search Partners, the organization has been staffed completely by volunteers for its 6+ year history and has helped thousands of people.

Quick advice.

An example of the right perspective.

I'm looking for a job, not a date.

Full interview. 

Food fight for starving children

Bryan Jones is the Associate Director of the NorthStar Church Network, a collection of 180 Northern Virginia church congregations representing a wide variety of ethnic, language, and cultural groups.  Kirstie Sherman is a Development Advisor with Feed My Starving Children.  Their two organizations joined forces recently at the Dulles Expo Center where thousands of volunteers packed over 5 million meals in three days for starving children overseas.  Volunteers also dropped off over 6,700 pounds of food for the local Capital Area Food bank at the event, which was dubbed the 2016 Food Fight.  We interviewed Bryan and Kirstie just two days before the food packing event kicked off. 

One minute call to action.

A favorite story.

Full interview. 

A compelling story of homelessness and addiction

Milton Brown is a longtime DC resident who battled a heroin addiction for 37 years.  In the same year he overcame his addiction, he became homeless and remained so for four years.  Milton never knew his father, and his mother abandoned him and his brother when he was 9 years old.  He’s the father of two sons – one of whom was murdered over 20 years ago on the streets of Washington DC.  Since emerging from homelessness in 2012, Milton has committed himself to raising awareness of the plight of the homeless and addicted, and to sharing the source of power that helped him emerge from a life of anguish.

One minute call to action.

90 second call to action.

Full interview. 

For more information:  http://www.littlelights.org/,  http://some.org/

Milton's TEDx Georgetown talk:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQFP5cLQDlo