Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Ryan Lampa, Founder and CEO of People Loving Nashville, a nonprofit organization serving the unhoused and most vulnerable of Nashville, Tennessee. During the interview, Ryan shares the history of the organization, which started 17 years ago, and discusses how it has evolved and grown into three programs, a staff of 15 and an army of volunteers serving about 400 people each week. The organization also now includes a social enterprise with a coffee roaster and coffee shop downtown, Paradeisos Coffee Company, that provides job opportunities for those going through the program. Ryan details their three programs, Monday Night Street Outreach, Homefullness, and Restoration Program, and discusses how they are centered on the pillars of Relief, Community, Connection, and Restoration.

He talks about some of the many sides, complexities and situations that lead to homelessness and how it impacts individuals and families, and emphasizes the importance of building relationships with dignity, grace and understanding. Ryan shares a success story of a couple who were once homeless and now in their restoration program, and he shares some lessons and advice for other organizations and cities looking to serve their unhoused communities, noting the importance of presence and margin in serving others. Ryan discusses the power of community engagement and the need for volunteers to help serve the unhoused community, and how the time spent and relationships formed will transform the lives of volunteers, as well. He wraps up encouraging the community to get involved by volunteering, buying coffee from their coffee shop, or attending their events, including their "Smoke on the Water" event taking place May 19, 2025.

Visit https://www.peoplelovingnashville.com to learn more and get involved with People Loving Nashville.
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Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Dr. Karon Uzzell-Baggett, Certified Occupational Therapist and Owner of Specialized Occupational Therapy Services, LLC (SpOTs), who discusses the role of occupational therapy in improving quality of life and independence, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and personalized approaches.

During the interview, Dr. Uzzell-Baggett shares some of her journey serving in the US Air Force and how those leadership experiences and her desire to continue serving others led to her career transition into occupational therapy. She explains that occupational therapy helps people live their best lives by focusing on daily activities and routines, adapting them to individual needs, including after injuries or illnesses. She talks about working with seniors and how she is able to assess clients' homes for potential hazards and provide recommendations for aging in place. Then, Dr. Uzzell-Baggett highlights her work with organizations, offering stress reduction techniques, trauma management, health education, and other mindfulness services. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration and personalized approaches in occupational therapy, whether working with individuals or corporations. She wraps up discussing how individuals and organizations can start the conversation and process of working with Specialized Occupational Therapy Services.

Visit https://www.spots4u.org to learn more and connect with Dr. Karon Uzzell-Baggett.

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Carrie Yoder, Executive Director of Project Transformation Tennessee, who highlights the nonprofit organization's mission and efforts to transform communities by engaging children, college-age young adults, and churches in purposeful relationships. Based on a model founded in 1998 in Dallas, Texas, Project Transformation Tennessee launched its first summer program in 2012. The program model is designed to address three unique challenges with one program: 1) how to meet the academic, physical, social-emotional, and spiritual needs of children, 2) how to provide meaningful ways for college-age young adults to explore ministry opportunities and develop as young principled leaders for the church and the world; and 3) how to help churches connect with their communities.

During the interview, Carrie discusses the unique and intentional model that serves children, college students, and communities. She talks about their summer camps for children that focus on literacy and social-emotional health, while also providing college students with work experience and vocational guidance. Camp is offered for rising 1st grade - rising 8th grade youth and located in Madison, Antioch, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Clarksville, and Memphis. Local churches and community members are involved as volunteers, fostering relationships within neighborhoods. The summer camps operate for eight weeks, offering daily activities including reading, arts, and movement. College students are recruited to work at the camps, receiving training, housing, and stipends. Carrie shares positive feedback from parents, college students, and community members about the program's impact and invites the community to get involved by enrolling children, referring college students for the paid internships, volunteering to read with children or mentor young adults, and supporting the organization through donations or providing supplies from their wish list.

Visit https://projecttransformation.org/ten... to learn more and get involved with Project Transformation Tennessee.