The Road to Innovation

The Founder and Executive Director of Shepherd Inn, Victoria Shepherd, is our guest on this episode of The Road to Innovation. Shepherd Inn is a South Dallas based non-profit transforming the lives of at-risk youth through shelter, education, and stability. Victoria shares her journey on how and why she had to take a leap of faith to open Shepherd Inn. She also shared the reality of what many young adults are experiencing in Dallas who need their services. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic rates of domestic violence, sexual abuse, neglect and homelessness amongst our Dallas youth are increasing at an alarming rate. Their goal in addressing these problems is to purchase 10-20 acres of land just south of Dallas County to provide job and life skills training, along with shelter and stability to young men, women their babies. Shepherd Inn has two current fundraising campaigns:1: The Dunbar and Meadow foster and transitional living homes2: Purchasing and building the Shepherd Inn Ranch for a larger, more permanent, place for our youth to learn how to become thriving adults For more information and to donate visit: www.shepherdinn.org

On this episode of The Road To Innovation we have very special guests from Wesley Prep and Heart House. Lori Cousino, Founder of Common Ground Experiment and 4th grade teacher at Wesley Prep, along with Christina Park, Site Manager at Heart House talk about their most recent Common Ground project "Heart Words." Students from Heart House and Wesley Prep helped write and illustrate the book, and the students also chime in on what it means to them and the message they hope the world will hear and embrace. Lori Cousino is also featured on Episode 5 of the Road to Innovation Podcast. You can listen to that episode here: To learn more about the Heart House visit:https://hearthousedallas.org/https://hearthousedallas.org/ways-to-help/ To learn more about Common Ground Dallas and to purchase a book:https://www.facebook.com/commongrounddallas/www.commongroundexperiment.org

The CEO of Genesis Women’s Shelter joins us on this episode of The Road to Innovation. Jan Langbein explains why it's more crucial to get victims of domestic violence the help they need, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jan Langbein shares the importance of learning the signs of Domestic Violence, and calls us all to speak up and say something when something doesn’t seem right. Here are resources to help get involved with Genesis Women’s Shelter & and learn the signs of domestic violence: The Genesis Hub: www.genesisshelter.org/genesis-hubThis page is your one-stop shop for all agency information regarding the coronavirus, including ways you can help, current updates and the latest updates. How to Help a Friend: https://www.genesisshelter.org/education/how-to-help-a-friend/This page gives five simple tips on what to do if someone you know may be experiencing domestic violence. It also shares some warning signs to watch out for. Different Types of Abuse: https://www.genesisshelter.org/beherfirststep/This page talks about the different types of abuse and shares relevant statistics.

On this episode of The Road to Innovation, we hear from the President and CEO of Texas Women's Foundation, Roslyn Dawson Thompson. We talk about Texas Women's Foundation's mission to advance economic and leadership opportunities for women and girls in Texas. We also discussed how COVID-19 has impacted nonprofit organizations, women and girls across the state of Texas. "It is faith in the future that will carry us through the present. And I for one, absolutely believe that this is an opportunity for us to relook at our world with a new set of eyes." – Roslyn Dawson Thompson. To learn more about Texas Women's Foundation visit: https://www.txwf.org/

Several reports say child abuse is on the rise because in many cases they are in lockdown with their abusers. On this episode of The Road To Innovation we focus on the handling of child abuse cases during the pandemic. Our guest, Sarah Burns with Dallas Children Advocacy Center talks about the people involved in each case and what they are able to do and provide for children experiencing abuse. Burns also touches on marketing and the heightened importance of making sure there is consistent communication of the facts and transparency. "We are able to quickly coordinate cases so that children get the services that they need and deserve. That they get justice, they receive healing and to give them hope as well." - Sarah Burns.If you would like to get involved or donate to Dallas Children Advocacy Center visit: https://dcac.org/Be sure to like our Fb page and subscribe to our YouTube account ( https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-lH...) to hear from other innovators on our podcast shows.

Sex-Trafficking is on the rise. Experts say they have seen a steady increase during the COVID-19 pandemic. On today's episode on The Road To Innovation we introduce you to, CEO of New Friends, New Life, Kim Robinson to talk about what her organization is doing to restore the lives of sex trafficking survivors. Part of that restoration is making sure survivors get a care kit. Robinson talks about how crucial it is to receive donations at this time- and what you can do to help!North Texas Gives is on May 5th, if you would like to help New Friends, New Life, visit:https://www.northtexasgivingday.org/new-friends-new-life

On this episode of The Road To Innovation our guest Aelicia Watson tells her incredible story of surviving poverty. Watson is the Founder and Executive Director of Redeemed Women- a non-profit organization helping women to live independent lives.Our guest says her purpose in life is providing the right resources for those in unfortunate situations, hoping to break generational poverty. This encouraged her to publish the book Anointed, sharing her story through horrific struggles and finding hope in God's call on her life.To find out more on Redeemed Women: https://www.redeemedwomen.org/To get a copy of the book Anointed visit: Church of the Incarnation Bookstore, $15 or- On the Redeemed Women website, click “Donate” to pay and Redeemed Women will mail the book for $20.Be sure to like our Fb page and subscribe to our YouTube account ( https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-lH8jENohmBBJ3TeB2sBUQ ) to hear from other innovators on our podcast shows.

Thousands of people are homeless in Dallas with many of them needing basic essentials to get the jump start they need for a better life. On this episode of The Road To Innovation, our guest Daniel Roby, CEO of Austin Street Center addresses the epidemic and the people they help go from homelessness to independence.  Roby quotes Mother Teresa:"We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty." - Mother Teresa To learn more visit: https://www.austinstreet.org/Be sure to like our Fb page and subscribe to our YouTube account ( https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-lH8jENohmBBJ3TeB2sBUQ ) to hear from other innovators on our podcast shows.

Sex trafficking survivor, Rebecca Bender is our guest on this episode of The Road To Innovation. Rebecca talks about her experience and what she is doing now to help other victims. She is the CEO and Founder of the non-profit Rebecca Bender Initiative with programs that help equip community professionals with trainings, curriculum writing and provides an online school for survivors of human trafficking.To learn more visit: https://rebeccabender.org/Be sure to like our Fb page and subscribe to our YouTube account ( https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-lH8jENohmBBJ3TeB2sBUQ ) to hear from other innovators on our podcast shows.

Tracey Altman, one of the Board of Directors for the DEC Network is our guest on The Road to Innovation, episode 8. The Dallas Entrepreneur Center (The DEC) is a non-profit organization that helps entrepreneurs start, build and grow their businesses. Altman is also the Marketing Lead for Dallas Startup Week, which is a free event for entrepreneurs to come together and network so they can build their business and not feel so alone in the process.If you're interested in attending, Dallas Startup Week is April 23 - May 1, 2020. To learn more, you can visit their website: https://www.dallasstartupweek.com

Matthew Randazzo, President and CEO of The Dallas Foundation is our guest on The Road To Innovation, episode 7. The Dallas Foundation is a non-profit that helps bring people, ideas and investments in the Dallas community. Randazzo is the second CEO of the non-profit. He addresses the foundations' focus and upcoming innovative movements in the city!

In this episode of The Road to Innovation, we introduce you to The Worthy Co., a non-profit that helps and employs trafficking, prostitution and addiction survivors. Melissa Ice, is the Founder & Executive Director of The Net FW and The Worthy Co., and Sarah Bowden is the Director of Operations for the Net FW & The Worthy Co. Both of these women talk about the meaning and purpose behind their products. To learn more about The Worth Co. go to -->www.worthy-co.com

Prep teacher Lori Cousino sits down in this episode of the Road to Innovation to discuss how she brought in local organizations to break barriers and stereotypes, and to explain relational povertyto her students, using food as the vessel.Lori explains delves into the process of creating 'Our Common Table' cookbook and the collaboration process with Bonton Farms and Cafe Momentum.

In this episode of the Road to Innovation, Jillian Ryan Founder of Marie Mae Founder and Jasmine Carney, Director of Operations discuss the power of creating a Business geared toward social change.While launching Marie Mae, Jillian realized starting a business involves far more than the theories she learned in business school. This is why the Marie Mae Business School focuses on providing practical business training taught by people who have started businesses themselves. To support Marie Mae please visit:https://mariemae.com/To learn more about the Kleinert Foundation please visit:https://www.kleinertfdn.org/

Dr. Vanessa Bouché and Noel Bouché have devoted their lives to creating a business that delivers premium essential oils to values-driven consumers while combatting sex trafficking by providing dignified employment to survivors of sexual exploitation.The founders explain how they set up their company to prove that businesses can change society if you're willing to be driven by dignity, integrity, and excellence, rather than greed.To support their business please visit:https://savhera.com/To learn more about the Kleinert Foundation please visit:https://www.kleinertfdn.org/

Abi Ferrin is a Dallas creator who is leading the charge in the Fashion Industry: she's committed to doing business solely with ethical manufacturing partners.In 2007, Abi founded the Freedom Project to help give survivors of abuse, exploitation and discrimination, a chance to have a happy, fulfilled life personally and professionally. In this conversation with the Kleinert Foundation's program officer Hannah Rabalais, Abi explains how through purpose, and not profit, she was able to further her company and to inspire empowerment and fuel economic independence for women who have experienced trafficking and domestic violence.To support Abi's Freedom Project please visit:https://www.instagram.com/loveandfreedomproject/To learn more about the Kleinert Foundation please visit:https://www.kleinertfdn.org/

On the first episode of The Road to Innovation, Hannah Rabalais, program officer at the Kleinert Foundation sits down with the Founder and Director of Calyan Wax Co., Jacob Johnson and Stephen Engstrom, Marketing and Promotions to discuss how they are saving lives at America, one candle at a time.In this conversation, Jacob provides fantastic insight into running a business with a bigger purpose, delves into the lessons learned and the growing pains of scaling a successful business.To purchase candles and support their mission, please visit:https://www.calyanwaxco.com/To learn more about the Kleinert Foundation please visit:https://www.kleinertfdn.org/

Powered by the Kleinert Foundation, The Road to innovation is a Podcast that highlights innovative solutions to society's most pressing issues like sex trafficking, homelessness, and poverty.