What's Good In The Neighborhood

If you went on our Drive Tour, you heard Chris De Leon talking about the Yo-ville Community Garden in Southwest Fresno. Chris joins the pod to chat more in depth about the current state of food insecurity in the agricultural capital of America, what kind of dignity we instill in each other and ourselves when we grow our own food, and why the existence of community gardens mean we all thrive. To learn more about Chris and his community garden work, you can find him here - https://www.fresnometmin.org/Farm-and-gardens To learn more about Life Labs, click here - https://www.lifelab.org/ To learn about the educational gardens ENP is installing on elementary school campuses, click here - https://everyneighborhood.org/blog/schoolgardens/ To learn how you can get involved and grow food in your community, email Chris at chris@fresnometmin.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrew and Grace are joined today on the podcast by Carlos Huerta. Carlos is the Executive Director of the Center for Community Transformation at Fresno Pacific University. The three talk about the economic realities of the Central Valley, the roadblocks that exist for people to get jobs that meet their needs, and the creative options that exist for our community, our churches, and our organizations. Carlos asks the question, what is the faith community's responsibility to spark innovation in the business sector? To learn more about the Center for Community Transformation, click HERE To learn more about redlining, and rare Fresno maps, read this article from KVPR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our second series on What's Good In the Neighborhood, we are slowing down and interviewing some of the amazing people who are featured on our new and improved Drive Tour! If you don't what the Drive Tour is, how you can take it, or what you'll be learning about this episode with our very own Gabrielle Piceno will answer all your questions! To download the app and take the tour, visit VoiceMap here -- https://voicemap.me/tour/fresno-california/every-neighborhood-partnership-a-drive-through-fresno Every Neighborhood Partnership is a Fresno, CA based non-profit that exists to Activate. Equip. Mobilize and Transform so that our students excel, community members are healthy and whole, and our neighborhoods thrive. Learn more about us by visiting https://everyneighborhood.org or @enpfresno on socials. Episode produced by Josh Gilbert Media Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today Andrew and Grace get to dive into the conversation with Kim Contreras, a long-time presence in the urban missions world here in Fresno, CA. In this episode they discuss working and living missionally in concentrated poverty, what it takes to do it long term, and how to do it without causing harm. During Kim's years in Fresno, it has been a deep honor to learn about the city and be changed by that experience through the Lord and her neighbors and friends in the Lowell and Hidalgo community. As Trauma Healing Specialist, Kim focuses on equipping the church and community to understand trauma and experience their own healing journey, along with an invitation to participate in outreach to survivors of human trafficking. Two of the accessible tools she utilizes are the Clear-Thinking Solutions method and Trauma Healing Institute healing groups. She can be found with her husband Manuel and their two children, Ian (18) and Sophia (13) sharing an Anaconda burrito from Yareli’s, enjoying good coffee on the steps with their dog Shadow and playing with their cats, Fuego, Sombra, and Rosa. You can learn about what is happening in the Hildalgo neighborhood HERE You can find out more about Clear Thinking HERE You can find out more about the Trauma Healing Institute HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What would it look like to view the people and places around as gifts, not negatives? In this episode, Andrew and Grace sit down with Joe White, pastor of Neighborhood Church in the historic Jackson Neighborhood of Fresno, CA. Joe is a long time advocate of being a church with the neighborhood, not a church to or for it. Joe reminds us that Jesus is the absolute best news we can give, and that He himself cares about people and places and the thriving of them both. To learn more about Joe and Neighborhood Church, visit https://www.neighborhoodchurchfresno.com/ Joe refers to the book, Transforming Power, by Robert Linthicum Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

God longs for shalom, and He's asking us to work towards shalom in our spaces. Every Neighborhood Partnership has adopted the language and frameworks of Christian Community Development to pursue God's shalom! CCD ideas act as the tide beneath the waves of our work here at Every Neighborhood Partnership. Andrew and Grace sit down with Dina Gonzalez-Pina, who has been a member of the board of the Christian Community Development Association and is currently the director of the Mennonite Central Committee on the West Coast. Dina helps us unpack the eight pillars of CCD philosophy and Andrew and Grace tie it back contextually to our work here at ENP. To learn more about Christian Community Development: https://ccda.org/about/philosophy/ To learn more about John Perkins and his work: https://www.johnmperkins.com/ To hear more from Dina and MCC: https://mcc.org/what-we-do/where-we-work/us/west-coast Episode and Show is produced by Josh Gilbert Media. You can find Josh here. Art and Logo was designed by Nick Leuvano. You can find Nick here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our very first episode of our very first series, we sit down with Daniel Dominguez, Every Neighborhood Partnership's Neighborhood Development Director. Daniel has been on staff with ENP for over 6 years, and is a culture carrier for us here at the organization. We talk about God's heart and vision for not only a city but for a people, and what that means for us as we engage with our neighbors and the poor. You'll hear us reference the Bible a handful of times as we unpack what it means for us to come into alignment with what God would desire when we say, In Fresno as it is in Heaven. Read the podcast blog and transcript here: https://everyneighborhood.org/podcast Support this podcast and ENP's work here: https://app.aplos.com/aws/give/EveryNeighborhoodPartnership Episode and Show is produced by Josh Gilbert Media. You can find Josh here. Art and Logo was designed by Nick Leuvano. You can find Nick here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Ashley Goldsmith joins the conversation to explore what it means to practice marketing and communications with integrity in the nonprofit world. Together, we unpack the tension between raising funds and honoring people’s dignity—especially when telling stories about communities experiencing hardship. Ashley shares practical insights on how nonprofits can communicate impact without exploiting pain, avoid “poverty porn,” and instead elevate stories of resilience, partnership, and hope.From crafting donor messaging to shaping brand voice, this episode offers a thoughtful framework for ethical storytelling that builds trust, inspires generosity, and reflects the values at the heart of the mission. If you care about communicating in a way that truly impacts communities while honoring the people you serve, this conversation is for you. Ashley Goldsmith launched Blue Chair Communications her senior year of college out of a fierce desire to creatively share important ideas. For years, she’s helped nonprofits, government agencies, and values-driven businesses translate complex work into stories that move even stubborn hearts. Her ultimate vision? To see the Central Valley become a healthier, safer, more economically and spiritually vibrant place to live because the organizations working toward this reality communicate effectively. Every Neighborhood Partnership is a Fresno, CA based non-profit that exists to Activate. Equip. Mobilize and Transform so that our students excel, community members are healthy and whole, and our neighborhoods thrive. Learn more about us by visiting https://everyneighborhood.org or @enpfresno on socials. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrew and Grace sit down with Jeff Jones from Fresno Pacific University to explore the Working Genius framework and why it’s been such a game-changer in the workplace. They share how having a common language around gifts, talents, and skills has helped their teams collaborate more effectively and understand what each person brings to the table. This conversation is packed with practical insight for anyone looking to build healthier, more productive staff cultures. Jeff Jones is a Certified Facilitator of The Six Types of Working Genius. With over 25 years of experience in higher education leadership, he now helps for-profit and non-profit organizations apply this powerful productivity model to improve collaboration and deliver immediate results. Every Neighborhood Partnership is a Fresno, CA based non-profit that exists to Activate. Equip. Mobilize and Transform so that our students excel, community members are healthy and whole, and our neighborhoods thrive. Learn more about us by visiting https://everyneighborhood.org or @enpfresno on socials. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Artie helped launch and lead Every Neighborhood Partnership over 17 years ago, and today is STILL working in the community development space and is STILL passionate about seeing Fresno flourish. Andrew and Grace get curious about HOW he continues to press in and continues to create community impact. The three talk sustainability, how faith and service parallel each other, long term commitment to the city, and what it costs to lead at a high capacity. Artie has worked in the area of community and human development for the last 25 years. He continues to learn new strategies to help create change at a micro and macro level so that our community residents and youth can achieve economic and social upward mobility. Every Neighborhood Partnership is a Fresno, CA based non-profit that exists to Activate. Equip. Mobilize and Transform so that our students excel, community members are healthy and whole, and our neighborhoods thrive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrew and Grace give a little update on the state of Every Neighborhood Partnership, their own personal leadership growth and goals, heading into the new year, but a mid year report in light of the budget cycle. Every Neighborhood Partnership is a Fresno, CA based non-profit that exists to Activate. Equip. Mobilize and Transform so that our students excel, community members are healthy and whole, and our neighborhoods thrive. Learn more about us by visiting https://everyneighborhood.org or @enpfresno on socials. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What kind of people were Joseph and Mary to say yes to God? Dr. Randy White brings his deep wisdom and mentorship to this conversation, reflecting on the Christmas season and all the expectation and longing that it holds. Rev. Dr. Randy White has served in Christian Community Development and Ministry for more than 40 years. He is the founder of the Center for Community Transformation, and the Pink House, and as a seminary professor trained leaders for urban ministry. He's the author of many books and articles and has just published a new novel, Consummation. He and his family continue to live and serve in urban neighborhoods seeking the shalom of their neighbors and watching God at work. You can learn more about Randy and his books here: https://randywhiteassociates.com/ Every Neighborhood Partnership is a Fresno, CA based non-profit that exists to Activate. Equip. Mobilize and Transform so that our students excel, community members are healthy and whole, and our neighborhoods thrive. Learn more about us by visiting https://everyneighborhood.org or @enpfresno on socials. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Jordan Mattox breaks down some of the hottest conversations shaping today’s schools: integration, technology, and school choice. He explores how each of these forces impacts equity, student experience, and the future of public education. Jordan highlights good teachers, parent engagement, the promise and pitfalls of tech in the classroom, the ongoing challenge of creating truly integrated schools, and the tension between choice and access. It’s an honest, thoughtful look at what’s working, what’s not, and what educators and families should be paying attention to next. Jordan Mattox is a librarian, podcaster, and writer. He hosts the podcasts Fresno's Best, Fresnolandia, and The History of California Podcast. He is currently working on book about the history of Fresno. - Fresnolandia Podcast Episode with Misty Her - Nice White Parents Podcast - Article - Getting Fast Thinkers to Slow Down - The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt Every Neighborhood Partnership is a Fresno, CA based non-profit that exists to Activate. Equip. Mobilize and Transform so that our students excel, community members are healthy and whole, and our neighborhoods thrive. Learn more about us by visiting https://everyneighborhood.org or @enpfresno on socials. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Melissa has every opportunity, blessing and resourcing laid out in front of her - her and husband have good jobs, financial flexibility, and two amazing adopted kids. When it came time to pick a school for them, some may be surprised that instead of picking the advanced charter or even private school up the street, the Danisi's chose and stayed in their districted dual immersion school. Today, Andrew and Grace get curious - why stay? They learn alot about Melissa's school history and her own experience, her son's education hurdles he is battling and winning, and the overall experience of what it means and feels like to root yourself deeply in a school and a community regardless of perception or benefits. Melissa has been married to her husband Santino for 19 years and is a mom to two awesome kids through adoption. She has served on staff at The Well Community Church for 12 years writing and teaching bible studies and the past few years as the life group director. Prior to that she was a classroom teacher in Fresno Unified for several years. Every Neighborhood Partnership is a Fresno, CA based non-profit that exists to Activate. Equip. Mobilize and Transform so that our students excel, community members are healthy and whole, and our neighborhoods thrive. Learn more about us by visiting https://everyneighborhood.org or @enpfresno on socials. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Carlos Huerta is back to chat with Andrew and Grace about what it has looked like to partner two or more organizations together and really embrace the word, Partner. Carlos and crew discuss authentic engagement, what is ours to do and when is it time to pass the baton, what happens when conflict arises, when organizations choose partnership over credit, and what it takes to put aside differences to see real change happen. Carlos is the Executive Director of the FPU Center for Community Transformation. With a mix of both for-profit and non-profit experience, Carlos loves to dream of a Central Valley that works for every neighbor, in every part of our city, all the time so that no one gets left out. He oversees the work of CCT, providing support to all programs that serves churches, start-up business, non-profits and school districts. Carlos has the honor of being a Locke Innovative Leader and counts it a joy to live, eat, serve and play in Fresno, CA. Every Neighborhood Partnership is a Fresno, CA based non-profit that exists to Activate. Equip. Mobilize and Transform so that our students excel, community members are healthy and whole, and our neighborhoods thrive. Learn more about us by visiting https://everyneighborhood.org or @enpfresno on socials. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What exactly is a community school, and what is the benefit not only to the community but to the individual who benefits from it? Grace and Andrew sit down with Darrin Person, Executive Director of the Community Schools initiative with Fresno Unified. Darrin is a long time partner and board member of ENP, and brings a lot of insight to the conversation around what it means to really engage families in underserved communities, in partnership with elementary school faculty and staff. The three chat through what the goal of community school is, and why it matters that a child's needs are seen through a holistic lens, not just a academic lens. Every Neighborhood Partnership is a Fresno, CA based non-profit that exists to Activate. Equip. Mobilize and Transform so that our students excel, community members are healthy and whole, and our neighborhoods thrive. Learn more about us by visiting https://everyneighborhood.org or @enpfresno on socials. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Erin Obwald joins What's Good today to chat through what it looks like to support a school outside the school. Erin runs an organization called Safe 2 School, which prioritizes the safety of the child on their route to and from school. Erin shares about what it takes relationally to build the capital and trust with parents and principals, the changes that are being made around traffic and safer walking routes by the city, and what it takes to educate and train crossing guards to become "guardians of the neighborhood," and empowered leaders. Erin is a lifelong Fresno native with deep ties to the local community. She grew up attending Fresno Unified schools and is a graduate of Hoover High School. She and her husband, her high school sweetheart of 26 years, have 5 children (three adult children and two children still at home). While her professional background is in graphic design, Erin spent most of her adult life homeschooling her children and actively engaging with her church community and local schools within the Fresno Unified. In 2017, she began working alongside her father, the founder of Safe 2 School, a nonprofit dedicated to creating safe passage for children to and from school. Erin recently completed her master's degree in Transformational Leadership from Bakke Graduate University in 2023, the same year she became the organization's Executive Director. She is driven by her passion to empower neighborhoods and help school communities not just survive, but thrive, by working together to Build Safer Communities. Every Neighborhood Partnership is a Fresno, CA based non-profit that exists to Activate. Equip. Mobilize and Transform so that our students excel, community members are healthy and whole, and our neighborhoods thrive. Learn more about us by visiting https://everyneighborhood.org or @enpfresno on socials. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our series Beyond the Bell is a deep dive on the dynamics, stories, and systems that shape our schools today. Whether that be test scores, socio demographics, safety, school choice, all these factors impact not only our kids, but the future of our city. Andrew and Grace open up the series to chat about their own personal lens and world view that shapes how we process and think about school, and how their own decisions as their kids have become of school age have impact. Every Neighborhood Partnership is a Fresno, CA based non-profit that exists to Activate. Equip. Mobilize and Transform so that our students excel, community members are healthy and whole, and our neighborhoods thrive. Learn more about us by visiting https://everyneighborhood.org or @enpfresno on socials. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Soul Care sounds really lovely until its gets real! So we thought we should sit down with some of our staff members about their own personal experience around burnout, high expectations around service as a lifestyle, and the importance of understanding your own personal limits and your opportunities. Our team gets personal about their own stories and how missed opportunities or struggle have shaped how they show up to work and leadership today. To learn more about our team, visit our Staff page - https://everyneighborhood.org/meet-our-team/ Every Neighborhood Partnership is a Fresno, CA based non-profit that exists to Activate. Equip. Mobilize and Transform so that our students excel, community members are healthy and whole, and our neighborhoods thrive. Learn more about us by visiting https://everyneighborhood.org or @enpfresno on socials. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can you lead and not have a close friend? Victoria is a leader of leaders - she finds herself in spaces guiding and holding space for the people who are leading the next generation. On this episode Andrew, Grace and Victoria chat through what kind of friendships you'll need to lead for the long haul, confronting your personal fears in community, the necessity of social chemistry in work, how to avoid echo chambers in our circles, and why community is the key to flourishing leaders. To learn more about Leadership Education at Duke Divinity - https://leadership.divinity.duke.edu/To order Victoria's book, Holy Friendships - https://a.co/d/htucagW Rev. Dr. Victoria White catalytically connects individuals, communities, organizations, and resources to increase resiliency and deepen the habits and practices of thriving and flourishing within networks and ecosystems. She is the Managing Director of Grants and Awards at Leadership Education at Duke Divinity where she facilitates capacity building within traditionally marginalized and under-resourced institutions serving pastors and congregations. She is the author of Holy Friendships: Nurturing Relationships that Sustain Pastors and Leaders. Every Neighborhood Partnership is a Fresno, CA based non-profit that exists to Activate. Equip. Mobilize and Transform so that our students excel, community members are healthy and whole, and our neighborhoods thrive. Learn more about us by visiting https://everyneighborhood.org or @enpfresno on socials. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices