Increasing awareness of human trafficking in Northern Virginia - A 12-year-old Fairfax girl's story

It's hard to believe, but human trafficking (especially teen sex trafficking) is a significant problem in Northern Virginia.  January happens to be National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month so we decided to focus on this issue today, on National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.  We're joined by Kay Duffield, Executive Director of the Northern Virginia Human Trafficking Initiative (NOVA HTI), a non-profit that is working to eradicate human trafficking in the local area.  We're also joined by Barbara Amaya, a survivor of human trafficking from age 12 through 21, who now works as a human rights advocate and is the author of the award winning book Nobody’s Girl, A Memoir of Lost Innocence, Modern Day Slavery and Transformation.  Barbara and Kay will share their stories with us and tell us how we can join them in working to eradicate this problem from our communities.

Working to make Baltimore the Silicon Valley of social change

Baltimore City has fallen on hard times.  The city was built to house nearly a million people, yet today it is home to only 622,000, and it has seen an out-migration of people in their 20s and 30s in particular.  According to the city government, the number of abandoned houses and lots number 30,000, and higher estimates place this number at nearly 47,000 – 16% of the city’s residences.  In April 2015, after the arrest and death of Freddie Gray, the city erupted in violence, revealing the ongoing tension between the police and African American Community as well as a sense of hopelessness that many people feel in the low-income areas of the city.   In this environment, an organization called Baltimore Corps has emerged whose goal is to revitalize the city.  Today we’re joined by Jay Nwachu, the Director of Development and Communications for Baltimore Corps.  Jay joins us to talk about their mission to match highly talented, purpose-driven people with the right organizations for maximum social impact while promoting equity throughout Baltimore’s communities.

A holiday redux of 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. 

Building businesses that integrate faith, work, and higher purpose

There is a lot of talk these days about building businesses that are successful while also creating social value, with organizations like Conscious Capitalism and the Shared Value Initiative leading the way.  A number of business leaders believe this is best accomplished by building what some call “kingdom businesses,” i.e., businesses that honor the Biblical doctrine of work and its higher purpose.  Today we’re joined by Kelly Leonard, the President and CEO of Taylor Leonard Corporation, a local, woman-owned training, business development, and IT consulting business.  She’s also the author of an e-book on networking; the host of the Small Business University TV program airing in Montgomery County; and a representative of Nehemiah Project Ministries, an organization dedicated to building and equipping kingdom businesses.  Kelly joins us to talk about her heart for promoting higher purpose in business and also for helping women and couples in their personal and professional lives. 

Striving to end homelessness in Arlington County

The holiday season is upon us, a time not only to give thanks but also to act and share with those in need.  Tonight, we're joined by representatives from the Arlington Street People's Assistance Network, also known as A-SPAN.  Simply put, A-SPAN's mission is to end homelessness in Arlington County.  They provide life-sustaining services and secure permanent housing for their clients through outreach, building trusting/respectful relationships, and a new, first-of-its-kind Homeless Service Center.  Among other things last year, A-SPAN served 50,000 meals, sheltered over 400 people, and enabled 300 medical visits to those in need.  We're pleased to welcome Scott Miller, A-SPAN's Senior Director of Development, and Amanda Holler, A-SPAN's Manager of Volunteer Programs and Special Events. 

Vanishing Grace - An interview with Philip Yancey

About 20 years ago, I (Ed) was adrift in my Christian faith.  I had stopped attending the legalistic church I had been part of for many years, I was chasing the big payday in the high-tech startup world, and I had recently become a father.  All the while, though, something kept gnawing at me, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.  As I wandered through Barnes and Noble, as I often did in those days, I kept passing a book entitled What’s So Amazing About Grace?  At first I thought, that’s a catchy title.  Then I started to think more and more deeply about that question until I finally said to myself, “What is so amazing about grace?!?” So I purchased the book and read it, and it changed my life.  Today, we’re joined by Philip Yancey, the author of that book and 20 others (four written with Dr. Paul Brand), many of them award winning.  Philip’s most recent book is entitled Vanishing Grace, Whatever Happened to the Good News?  In it, he revisits the topic of grace noting that his original question has only grown more urgent in recent years.   

A holiday Redux of our first interview - Redemption from 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.

Honor and unity at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Millions of people visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery each year to pay their respects to those who have given their lives to protect the freedoms we enjoy in this country.  It’s a place where the full diversity and fabric of America is on display, and where division and hostility seem to naturally fade away as people come together to honor the fallen.  We’re privileged to be joined by Richard Azzaro, a guard at the Tomb from 1963 to 1965, and a member of the Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  Richard talks about the critical need for healing and unity in America, and how the Society hopes to use the centennial of the Tomb as a focal point that fosters unity across our country that transcends political, regional, and religious differences.

A worship album for people who don't listen to worship music

"Worship music should not be written for only the Christian mind.  It should draw those who are far from God.  All who are called to proclaim [the gospel] through music have a responsibility to exhort people – to remind people that we have a reason to sing."  These are the words of Christian Nuckels, Worship Pastor at Grace Community Church in Arlington, VA, and the creative influence behind the formation of the Grace Rising band, a music ministry within the church.  Christian joins us to talk about his journey of faith and higher purpose, and how it led him to the extremely satisfying roles he is serving in now. 

Working to reverse the trend towards illiteracy and its negative impact on society

There is a great deal of research showing that children who are exposed to books at a young age go on to live better lives in a wide variety of ways.  The data suggest a strong connection between reading skills/activity and academic, work, economic, relationship, and other successes in life.  A recent study by the National Endowment for the Arts concluded that, “[the] decline in reading among teenage and adult Americans… [has had] demonstrable social, economic, cultural, and civic implications.”  Simply put, we need to develop a love for reading in our children and adults, and today’s guests are working to do just that.  Judy Hijikata is the Communications Director at The Reading Connection, and Kim Oates in one of their Read-Aloud volunteers.  Honored by a number of organizations as one of the best small charities in Washington, DC, The Reading Connection helps at-risk children improve their odds of success by helping them develop a love of reading. 

Over 400 days of continual worship on the National Mall

Several years ago, Jason Hershey felt called to establish a place of continual, 24-by-7 worship and praise in Washington, DC.  He was inspired by King David, who 3,000 years ago pitched a tent near his palace and hired more than 4,000 worshipers to offer praise to the Lord continually throughout his 33 year reign, making worship central to his nation and bringing blessings to it as a result.  David’s Tent, as it’s known, has been operating continually for over one year now in the heart of Washington DC.  Jason joins us to talk about the purpose behind it, and to issue a call for our nation to turn to the only true source of strength and help in these difficult times.

Redemption and forgiveness through 20 years of prison and beyond

Jeff Lisanick was like many of us who grew up in Northern Virginian.  After a good, middle-class upbringing, he went off to college and started partying and experimenting with alcohol and drugs.  His story becomes remarkable, though, in what happened next.  On November 29, 1989, while high on laughing gas, he ran a red light and rear-ended another car, killing its two occupants.  He was later convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 37 years in prison.  Jeff joins us to tell about his life journey since then, and the power he discovered that radically transformed a terrible event into an amazing story of forgiveness, overcoming, and redemption.   

A volunteer program for retired people looking to develop a deeper faith while serving

Are you retired and looking for something to do that taps into your wealth of experience?  Are you searching for things that provide deeper meaning and fulfillment?  Maybe you're just bored and tired of the golf course or swimming pool.  If so, come listen to Joanie Coolidge, Regional Director for Ignatian Volunteer Corps (IVC), a faith-based organization that provides retired men and women with the opportunity to serve the poor, work for justice, and grow deeper in their Christian faith.  IVC provides a valuable service to non-profits by making people with lifetimes of expertise available to serve in a variety of areas.  Founded in 1995, IVC has grown to serve 17 regions in the US – including Washington, DC; Northern, VA; and Baltimore, MD.  In 2015, over 500 of their volunteers worked in more than 300 partner agencies serving over 90,000 people across the country.  

Providing free medical care to cancer patients who can't afford it

A cancer diagnosis is a daunting thing to face.  Aside from the obvious physical and emotional tolls of the disease, there is a heavy and rising financial cost.  Today's guests are working to alleviate these costs for some of our Arlington neighbors.  Doctors Patricia Rodriguez and Neelima Denduluri work with Virginia Cancer Specialists, the recipient of the Governor's 2016 Volunteerism and Community Service Award for Small Business for their work with cancer patients at the Arlington Free Clinic.  The practice was honored in recognition of the care it has provided for 160 low-income, uninsured patients who most likely would not have received treatment without the compassion of its doctors.

Providing affordable housing in Arlington and beyond along with life enriching services

The lack of affordable housing in Northern Virginia is a significant problem, particularly in affluent areas like Ballston and Alexandria.  Today's guests work with AHC (formerly known as the Arlington Housing Corporation), a 40-year-old organization that has developed 50 properties in Virginia and Maryland that provide more than 6,500 affordable homes.  AHC is the oldest and largest developer of affordable housing in Arlington, where 24 of their properties are located.  Realizing that it takes more than bricks and mortar to build successful communities, they also run a Resident Services program that provides a host of life-enriching services to residents of seven of their communities in Virginia, and six in Maryland.  We are joined by Jennifer Endo, the Director of Resident Services at AHC, and Chris Banks, a tutor at one of their community centers in the Arlington area. 

Empowering kids to change the world

Our children have tremendous potential to change the world if we would only empower them.  Today's guests work with Team Kids, a nonprofit organization founded 15 years ago to do just that by unleashing our kid's horsepower.  We are joined by Jacqueline Schaubach, a junior at Washington & Lee High School who has been serving with Team Kids since operating a lemonade stand over ten years ago to raise money for Haiti earthquake victims; and Julie Hudash, the Team Kids Founder and CEO, who has crafted a number of programs that engage and serve numerous stakeholders in Arlington, VA, Southern California, across our country, and around the world. 

A mother of 11 fulfills a dream at Harvard University

Allyson Reneau started college at the University of Oklahoma back in 1979, but left school after her sophomore year to start a family. Eleven children and over 30 years later, she enrolled in Harvard University and commuted 2,000 miles each way for several years on route to receiving a Master's Degree in International Studies. Aly talks about never giving up on her dream and shares stories of the rewards of pursuing the illogical when you feel called to do so.

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.

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 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.