The Point

After feeling the call to be a peacemaker, Jason Porterfield moved to one of Canada’s poorest neighborhoods known as Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.  Coming face-to-face with the realities of drugs, prostitution, violence and murder, he was forced to wrestle with some life changing questions. And, after years of soul-searching, prayer, seeking counsel and putting in the hard work of academic research, he has found some answers. He is with us today to share them with us.  Listen to Episode 31 of “The Point” Podcast Get the Book:  https://jasonporterfield.com Amazon Audible

Moto Meds: Before the morning:  Saving Lives Through Nighttime Intervention Did you know that in low-income countries, there is only one doctor for every 10,000 people?* Here are some other stats that will blow your mind: 50% of people across the globe lack access to essential health care.* 99% of maternal deaths happen in developing countries.* Each day, 15,000 children die before reaching their fifth birthday.* Some good news? A lot of these statistics can be avoided, simply through prevention. And that is exactly what our guests today have been working on, for years. Not only have they been working on it, but they have also been SUCCESSFUL at it Dr Eric Nelson and Molly Klarman, and their incredible team in Haiti and Ghana, have come up with an innovative approach to healthcare in some of the poorest places in the world They are quite literally saving lives by bridging the gap between the onset of illness and access to healthcare with just a few hours, but the most precious hours, the hours from when a disease can go from bad to deadly. How are they doing it? Join us today to find out Statistics: *United Nations (News.un.org) Website: https://www.motomeds.org

Mill Creek Farms: Farmer Levi & Farmer Tosheena Here’s 5 food facts I am sure you didnt know Twenty-five million Americans live more than a mile or 15-minute drive from a grocery store The average item on grocery shelves travels an astounding 1,500 miles to get there People living in the poorest (social-economic status) have 2.5 times the exposure to fast-food restaurants as those living in the wealthiest areas. Thus Food insecurity has a high correlation with increased diabetes rates We throw away 60% of our lettuce and spinach We are already use half the worlds land and 30% of its water to grow food, but by 2050 we have to increase food production by 70% Mill Creek Urban Farm is an educational farm and environmental education center located in West Philadelphia. They are dedicated to improving local access to fresh, chemical-free produce at low cost for the immediate Mill Creek community and surrounding neighborhoods. Mill Creek is a people of color-led non-profit organization in service of communities of color in need of basic resources. They are dedicated to cultivating a healthy environment, growing strong communities and promoting a just and sustainable food system.

Natalia Bondarenko: Ukraine-Russian War, A Mother’s Story  One day your life is as normal and the very next day Russian soldiers have taken over your home, bombed your car, and destroyed your business. That is the devastating reality for thousands of families including Nata and her 13-year-old son Yegor. From hiding in underground subway stations to killing pigeons for food, Nata shares her first-hand experience of what life is really like in Ukraine as the Russian war progresses. Join us in this emotional and moving conversation with Nata Bondarenko: A Mother’s Story

Callie Himsl: Top 5 New Essentials to Social Justice When I first stepped foot in the Caribbean country of Haiti, just an hour and a half flight from Florida, it was about a year after the unfortunate 2010 earthquake that brought the country back to the front minds of the world. I jokingly tell people that at that time we didn’t even have iPhones, ok but seriously we kind of did but like no one did, I was T-9ing on my Nokia brick phone So much has changed since that time, Uber exists, Airbnb is now a thing, fingerprint pay, tap to pay, Venmo, all the ways to pay have changed, but on a more serious note, the way we approach foreign aid, social aid, and many levels in the world of social justice has changed, which I guess you could say is a good thing, that means we are learning and evolving - but with that comes responsibility, we have to learn these new terms, these new approaches, new theories and do all of this within an always evolving world, after all when you are in the realm of social justice, the root of what you do is working with people, and people are…always changing So that is what we are here to talk about today, the new words, the new theories and new ways to approach these very complex topics.

Growing up in an affluent life, he wanted what a lot of us wanted; the picture-perfect life. Maybe a mansion, or a 6 figure income, or just a low-key Ferari. And, by working as a corporate executive during the dot-com boom, he was well on his way to achieving this. Until…a trip to Cambodia changed his life. This led to a radical life transformation for Craig Greenfield. He got married, and moved to slums in Cambodia, then to the roughest area of Vancouver, and beyond. His book Urban Halo quickly became a must-read. He went on to write Subversive Jesus, and his new book Subversive Missions comes out fall of 2022. Join us for this conversation with author, activist, and founder Craig Greenfield. Website https://www.craiggreenfield.com

Stephanie Bowman: From addiction to Advocate From homeless to head of her own nonprofit, One Heart for Women and Children. Stephanie bowman is a force to be reckoned with. She candidly shares with us her personal story of overcoming addiction and trauma and how it has fueled her to help thousands of families experiencing similar hardships. I truly believe that when we hear these intimate stories of real people experiencing real problems, it helps us build empathy and remember that each person we encounter is experiencing things in their lives we may not be aware of. Stephanie unpacks these heavy topics through her charming and genuine personality. She’s the kind of person you could spend all day with having coffee and sharing stories and laughter. Join our uplifting and enlightening conversation with Stephanie Bowman, Founder, Director, and Advocate. Contact + Links Website: https://oneheartorlando.org Social: @oneheartmatters

Lauren Neal is an international photographer and writer whose 10+ years’ experience in the non-profit sector largely influences how she chooses to celebrate the beauty of family and the value of connection through her work. After spending four years in Haiti working with a local NGO, she witnessed firsthand the trauma, corruption, and complexities of exploitive orphan care systems within international aid. Since then, she has found deep purpose in documenting the various dynamics of family, in its many different shapes and forms, near and far. Links + Contact Social Media @lauren___neal Website https://www.laurenneal.com

Fatima Sadaf Saied is the Executive Director of the Muslim Women’s Organization (MWO) based in Orlando, Florida.  As the daughter of Pakistani immigrants and a native Floridian, she witnessed her parents build and dedicate their lives to inclusive Islamic institutions including mosques, schools and civic organizations throughout her childhood.  Following their example, in her time at the University of Miami, she was a founder and President of a student organization that was an inclusive alternative to the existing MSA which was not open to women or diverse Islamic perspectives.   After graduating from UM with a degree in Psychobiology, she started her family and dedicated her time to raising her five children.  Realizing that a gap existed in women’s leadership opportunities in her local Muslim community, she was one of a group of like-minded women, that established the MWO in 2010.  It is a nonprofit dedicated to building the power of and creating inclusive and welcoming spaces for Muslim women.   Fatima is also on the Board of Directors of Eid Orlando, an organization dedicated to establishing family-friendly Muslim holiday celebrations.  She part of the inaugural cohort for Zakat Foundation Institute’s Muslim Philanthropy and Humanitarian Studies Fellowship program at IUPUI’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.  She is now completing her Masters Degree in Philanthropic studies there with the intention of building the nonprofit leadership expertise of Muslim women. She is passionate about uplifting the lives of her daughters, her team members and her community through compassionate service. Website & Contact: https://www.mwo-orlando.org

Twenty-One Senses (501c3) was founded in 2018 by a Chicago mom struggling to raise two special needs kids in a community that consistently misunderstood them, and sometimes punished them, for taking a slightly different approach. She could relate to what her kids were going through. As a mother, she herself often felt shamed when friends, family, teachers, or even strangers were bewildered or disappointed by her children or her parenting choices. Her vision, and our vision, is for an educated and inclusive community that sees her kids––and all people struggling with difference––through a lens of humility and compassion. Humility about our own individual differences and the differences of others, and compassion for all people regardless of age, background, appearance, capabilities, or limitations. Their mission is to teach communities to support the inclusion, dignity, and well-being of the ~17% (one-in-six)1 of their kids, customers, colleagues, and peers currently living with a sensory disability. Many familiar diagnoses such as autism, PTSD, ADHD, and anxiety are among the 20+ disorders that all affect how the brain interprets information from the senses. Despite being different neurological conditions, these so-called invisible disabilities frequently produce similar observable behaviors. For example, an autistic child and a survivor of traumatic abuse may both be easily upset by physical touch or unexpected stimuli. By accepting without judgement the slightly different approach to daily life that neurological diversity requires, an informed and empathetic community can empower its sensory sensitive families to embrace their diagnoses with self-compassion and positivity. Website: https://www.twentyonesenses.org

Research has shown that to break the cycle of generational poverty children need long-term, relationship-based support. This support helps them to graduate from high school, remain free from involvement in the criminal justice system, and wait to parent until after their teen years, and that is exactly what Friends of the Children is doing. It is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1993 in Portland with salaried, professional mentors—and 24 children. Today they are a $33 million dollar network with over 22 locations. Friends of the Children was founded by Duncan Campbell, a successful business entrepreneur whose own troubled childhood inspired him to found the organization. Our innovative model pairs children who are in foster care or in high-poverty schools with a Friend. Each child selected for the program has a Friend by their side from kindergarten through high school graduation—12+ years, no matter what. In this episode, we are joined by two of these world changing individuals CEO Terri Sorensen and Executive Director Thomas Lee. They are here to educate us on foster care, the cases, the solutions and how each of us can get involved. Website: https://friendsofthechildren.org

⚉ Join our conversation with Founder + Chief Cause Consultant Breauna Dorelus of Connecting the Cause ⚉ Breauan gives us insight into identifying and uprooting harmful volunteer practices, specifically in Black and Brown communities. She helps us unpack volunteer-centered service and shows us how we can transform it into community-centered service. ⚉ Connecting the Cause, a consultancy dedicated to helping volunteers and those that lead them identify and uproot harmful volunteer practices specifically towards Black and brown communities. Breauna is an advocate for voices of color to be heard, recognized and valued in the service and volunteerism sector and believes in keeping the community centered in all aspects of the volunteer process. Breauna's work is built on the principle that transformational service must help instead of harm. ⚉ Starting her decade plus stint in the nonprofit sector as an AmeriCorps member, she has continuously held positions in volunteer engagement, program creation, and spearheading community volunteer initiatives in the areas of humanitarian aid, refugee resettlement, and ministry. She received her Bachelor’s degree in International Studies from Georgia Southern University, and her Master’s in Public Administration with a concentration in Nonprofit Management from Georgia State University (Summa Cum Laude). Website: https://www.connectingthecause.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/connectingthecause Instagram: https://www.connectingthecause.com/contact

Brandon has worked in the child welfare and nonprofit sectors for over ten years. Before joining 1MILLIONHOME, he led a family based care and advocacy program in Tanzania for several years. Brandon has also worked at a Tanzanian orphanage, in the Californian foster care system, at various churches and teaches on issues facing at risk children at the university level. He has his Master’s Degree in Global Development and Justice and is passionate about indigenous leadership, community mobilization and seeing global entities come together to deliver the best care for at risk children. Join our conversation as he shares with us his personal experience and how you can get involved in the movement of giving the gift of family. Website: https://1millionhome.com/takeaction/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1MILLIONHOME

Erik Hanberg has spent nearly 20 years working with nonprofits. In addition to serving as the director of two nonprofits, he has worked for nonprofits in marketing and fundraising, and served on boards and committees for more than a dozen organizations, often in leadership roles. He is the author of four books for nonprofits, focusing on fundraising, social media, and board governance. He was elected as a Metro Parks Tacoma Commissioner in 2011, a junior municipality with an annual operating budget of $50+ million. Listen to our conversation where he shares details of how small nonprofits, just like yours, can raise funds and have fun doing it!  Website: forsmallnonprofits.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForSmallNonprofits/

Jennifer Perry has been Executive Director of the Children’s Action Network (CAN) since its inception. By marshalling the immense communications power of the entertainment community, CAN inspires the public to take action on behalf of children. CAN is now involved in a national campaign devoted to raising awareness about the 107,000 children in this country waiting for adoptive homes and improving outcomes for the more than 400,000 children in foster care. Jennifer is a co-founder of FosterMore, a coalition of media and entertainment companies, non-profits, businesses and philanthropic organizations working to create greater understanding, empathy, and action to improve the future of youth in foster care. FosterMore shines a light on the accomplishments and potential of foster youth, while securing support for their academic success and creating a pipeline of potential foster parents. Jennifer is a recipient of the Nancy Daly Advocacy Award from the Lewis Hine Awards for Service to Children and Youth, Raise A Child Honors and the Evan B. Donaldson Spotlight Award. Under her stewardship, CAN has received an Adoption Excellence Award from the US Department of Health and Human Services and a Television Academy Honors for A Home for the Holidays, CAN’s annual special promoting foster care adoption and been recognized as a CCAI Angels in Adoption. Jennifer is on the Board of Governors for the California Community Colleges as well as the board of the Foundation for California Community Colleges and serves on the board of the Children's Law Center. She has served as a board member of the North American Council on Adoptable Children, an Advisor to National Center for Children in Poverty, the Major League Baseball Player’s Trust for Children and on the Los Angeles Commission on Children Youth and their Families. She also served on the board of the Mar Vista Family Center and Para Los Niños, and was appointed to the Los Angeles City Child Care Commission and the Commission on the Status of Women. Links & Contact:  fostermore.org @foster_more

Brian serves as co-founder and President of America’s Kids Belong (AKB). Hundreds of thousands of kids in the US foster care system are unseen and suffering, left to feel like they don’t belong. We dramatically improve their experience and change their outcomes by fighting for belonging in safe, loving families and supportive communities. AKB brings together faith communities, government entities, business leaders, influencers, and the communities around them to join a life-changing movement where vulnerable kids find belonging and thrive. Brian has written curriculum for national campaigns such as Bono’s “One Sabbath Campaign,” and World Vision’s “Faith in Action.” Brian and his wife Julie have two adult daughters, have been foster parents for years, and currently have a young man who aged out of foster care as part of their home. Links & Contact info@amkidsbelong.org americaskidsbelong.org https://www.facebook.com/amkidsbelong

Dr. Scott Larson is president and founder of Straight Ahead Ministries, an international faith-based organization working with juvenile offenders in more than 300 juvenile detention centers in 15 states and five countries with a myriad of aftercare programs when youth return home. Scott has authored 13 books on working effectively with troubled youth and has been a speaker to youth, parents, teachers, social workers and youth workers since 1983, and is an adjunct professor at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary’s Center for Urban Ministerial Education, and Gordon College. He is also the co-founder of the Every Youth, Every Facility initiative, focused on partnering with ministries to reach every youth in the 1,200 juvenile detention centers in the U.S. Scott and his wife Hanne reside in Worcester, Massachusetts.  Contact:  scott@straightahead.org Website www.straightahead.org  www.everyyouth.org

Kayla Raymond is a wife, mama, social entrepreneur and dreamer. She has lived full-time in Haiti for 7 years while establishing and growing a nonprofit alongside her family During this time she also founded a successful social business called Rosies But what she considers her greatest success is growing her family through adoption. All of her experiences have made her passionate about orphan care, \job creation and reaching those in material poverty in a holistic way. You can read her rantings at www.kaylagrooters.com and shop Rosie's website at www.rosiesboutiquehaiti.com

To sustainably fight poverty in Haiti, Julie Colombino-Billingham created a social business that provides consistent and dignified jobs.  Deux Mains is a Haitian owned and operated business that handcrafts high-quality, footwear, handbags and accessories.  97% of all raw materials in production are either repurposed or sourced locally on the island, and manufactured in our solar facility. In a country where 85% of the population does not have access to the formal jobs and only 1% of the population is University educated, Colombino designed a model using the best practices of the nonprofit and for profit sectors.  She incubated a nonprofit arm of the business called REBUILD globally that provides revolutionary education and paid job training programs to the most vulnerable.  Every program graduate is then guaranteed a dignified, living wage job at Deux Mains. Under Colombino’s leadership, the past 10 years has been a dramatic evolution from earthquake recovery to a sustainable and eco-friendly business that was quickly propelled into the world of ethical fashion. Just a few of the partnerships deux mains has created include: United Nations, Kenneth Cole, Eileen Fisher, USAID and the Clinton Foundation to fight poverty and strengthen families in Haiti. Julie is the newest recipient of the Southern Living Beauty Awards for her work as a female entrepreneur.  She was a finalist in the 2017 Digicel Entrepreneur of the Year Award in Haiti.  She is the 2016 Martin Bell Scholar, and recently received her MBA from Rollins Crummer Graduate School of Business. Julie's book, From Death to Dollars, will be available in 2021.   It is based on her real-life encounters post-earthquake and documents the growth of the social business ecosystem she created to instill dignity, financial security, and an ethical fashion business in Haiti. Links & Contact Shop Deux Mains (Code THE POINT15 15% off) Rebuild Globally Non-Profit Julie’s Ted Talk 

He’s an author, a director, a founder, and a professor. He has lived and worked around the world in areas like Yugoslavia, Kosovo, India, Iran, Sierra Leon and Haiti where he partnered with local communities, refugees and nonprofits in areas of social justice Not only has he written three books but his writing has also been showcased in publications like the Washington Post and Christianity Today. Currently he is the director of humanitarian and disaster leadership at Wheaton College where he helping to create one of the first programs of its kind all while taking the time to share with us his story that will inspire you on this episode of The Point Podcast. Personal Website: https://kentannan.com Wheaton College Program: https://www.wheaton.edu/academics/academic-centers/humanitarian-disaster-institute/