In this episode of Doing What Works: Innovations in Homeless Services, host Ashanti Blaze Hopkins speaks with Dr. Nancy Greenstein, a long-serving board trustee at Santa Monica College and a passionate advocate for marginalized communities. Dr. Greenstein shares how her education and social work background, including early experiences teaching in a Navajo Nation community, shaped her perspective on social disparities and inspired her lifelong commitment to social justice.

The conversation focuses on the launch of Santa Monica College's new Homeless Services Program, launched in Fall 2024. Dr. Greenstein explains how the program emerged from years of discussions with industry professionals and highlights its goal to provide standardized training and career advancement opportunities for those working in the homeless services sector. She emphasizes the program’s potential to fill workforce gaps, improve service delivery, and create career pathways for students.

Dr. Greenstein also expresses excitement about the program’s first cohort, emphasizing the diversity of its students and the program’s long-term goals of expanding to other community colleges. The episode concludes with her vision for the program's future, including potential expansions into degrees in social work and collaborations with municipalities and agencies to address homelessness at a larger scale.

In this episode of Doing What Works: Innovations in Homeless Services, host Ashanti Blaze Hopkins interviews Becky Denison, Executive Director of Venice Community Housing. With over 20 years of experience in the homeless services sector, Denison offers her perspective on the root causes of homelessness in Los Angeles County, focusing on housing unaffordability, income inequality, and systemic issues such as institutional racism.

She discusses how Venice Community Housing adopts an innovative, equity-centered approach emphasizing community-led design and inclusion. Denison highlights the importance of supporting homeless service workers through sustainable workplaces and addresses the need for scaled-up solutions like permanent supportive housing and street medicine programs. The episode concludes with Denison's vision for addressing homelessness through large-scale public or social housing programs.

In this episode of Doing What Works: Innovations in Homeless Services, host Ashanti Blaze Hopkins interviews Celina Alvarez, the Executive Director of Housing Works, a nonprofit organization focused on providing sustainable, affordable housing options for individuals with limited resources. Alvarez shares her 31-year journey in the homeless services field, from her early days working on Skid Row in Los Angeles to her current leadership role. Throughout the episode, Alvarez discusses how her background and frontline experiences shaped her approach to homeless services and led her to prioritize human connection and relationship-building in addressing homelessness.

The conversation highlights Housing Works’ unique approach, which supports the unhoused and emphasizes the importance of caring for frontline workers. Alvarez also details her involvement in creating a new Homeless Services Program at Santa Monica College, which aims to train the next generation of homeless services professionals. She underscores the need for systemic changes in the sector, including addressing isolation, fostering a sense of community, and providing housing solutions. By sharing personal stories and reflecting on the challenges and triumphs of her career, Alvarez provides a compelling perspective on the holistic needs of those experiencing homelessness.

To learn more about SMC's innovative Homeless Service Work Certificate, please visit www.smc.edu/HomelessServiceWork

This episode of "Doing What Works: Exploring the Blue Economy" features an interview with Terrence Mosley, Senior Advisor for STEM and University Partnerships at the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. The conversation explores Mosley's background, including his experience at an HBCU and in the automotive industry, before delving into his current role promoting diversity in STEM fields and clean energy. Mosley discusses various initiatives to attract underrepresented groups to careers in renewable energy, including the blue economy. He emphasizes the importance of exposing students to these emerging fields early and creating pathways for diverse talent to enter the workforce. The episode also touches on broader challenges and opportunities in implementing renewable energy technologies across the United States.

In this episode of "Doing What Works: Exploring the Blue Economy," host Ashanti Blaze Hopkins interviews Christy Sterner, Technology Project Manager for the Advanced Algal Systems Program at the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. The discussion covers Christy's career journey, from her first job as a cashier at Target to her current role, and delves into the potential of algae as a renewable energy resource. Christy shares insights about the Algae Prize competition, the importance of the blue economy, and how algae can be transformed into valuable products. The conversation also explores the importance of developing a skilled workforce in bioenergy and fostering innovation among students.

In Episode 7, we delve into the fascinating world of aquaculture and its pivotal role in the blue economy. Join host Ashanti Blaize-Hopkins as she interviews Dr. Gary Fleener, Science, Sustainability, and Farm Education Manager at Hog Island Oyster Company. Dr. Fleener shares insights into the challenges and opportunities of sustainable seafood production, highlighting the importance of ocean stewardship and the environmental benefits of shellfish farming.

In this episode of "Doing What Works: Exploring the Blue Economy," host Ashanti Blaize-Hopkins engages in a dynamic conversation with Terry Tamminen, President and CEO of AltaSea. The episode delves into Tamminen's extensive experience in the blue economy, from his early days working with tropical fish breeding to his role in shaping environmental policies as Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency under Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. The discussion highlights the importance of balancing economic growth with environmental conservation and explores innovative solutions for sustainable development in the oceanic sector.

In Episode 5 of the podcast, Dr. Jo Tavares and Ashanti Blaize-Hopkins dive deep into the topic of the blue economy and its intersection with climate action, policy, education, and community engagement. Through insightful conversation, they explore the power of individual actions versus systemic change, the role of policy in addressing climate change, and the importance of inclusive collaboration in shaping a sustainable future. The episode highlights successful restoration efforts in wetland areas and emphasizes the need for ongoing education and industry collaboration to foster opportunities in the blue economy sector.