Welcome back to the Connect Kindness podcast, where we bring you inspiring stories of individuals and organizations making a positive impact in the world. I'm your host, Krystal Aziz, and I’m joined by my Co-Host Tim Evans.  Today, we have a very special episode in store for you.

Joining us today is a remarkable individual whose dedication and compassion have transformed the lives of countless children and families.  Pasitos de Luz is a non-profit organization based in Mexico. It provides comprehensive support and care for children with disabilities and their families, empowering them to lead fulfilling lives despite their challenges.

In today's episode we interview Leah Craig Fieser, the executive director at Brother Wolf Animal Rescue. Their mission is to better the lives of companion animals and the people who love them.

Through adoption programs,  a low-cost mobile spay and neuter clinic, lifesaving shelter transfer partnerships, Brother Wolf Animal Rescue impacts the lives of thousands of animals each year.  Leah shares how she and her team were able to take a struggling nonprofit, and turn it around to be one of the leading Animal Rescues in North Carolina.

In today's episode we interview Mark Barlet, the founder of AbleGamers. Their mission is to create opportunities that enable gaming to combat social isolation, foster inclusive communities, and improve the quality of life for people with disabilities.

Mark founded AbleGamers after his best friend’s ability to interact and connect through video games was nearly taken away by her being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.  Mark’s vision was to ensure that no one with a disability would ever be without the ability to interact through video games.   Mark has infused his passion into a global movement changing the way multibillion-dollar companies operate.

In this episode we interview Jean Sicurella, one of the co-founders of Misión de Caridad. Their mission is to provide programs and resources for refugee, migrant and vulnerable women and children on the Mexico side of the U.S. border.

Jean shares with us the origin story of her organization and talks about the programs and resources for women and children on the Mexico side of the US border.  We learn about some of the struggles and lessons that Jean has learned while running an international nonprofit.  Jean also shares her favorite success story and why she loves doing what she does.

In this episode we interview Beth Kempe, the founder of The Uniform Project. Her nonprofit keeps good clothing out of the landfill by recycling uniforms to children who need them worldwide. In the communities they serve you must have a uniform to attend school so each donation enables the kids to now attend which they may not have been able to do before.

Beth shares with us why she felt the need to create the Uniform Project and how a chance encounter with her exterminator helped her nonprofit go global.  We learn about how she is able to take clothes that would otherwise be thrown away, and distribute them to children in need across the world.  It was an absolute pleasure speaking with Beth and learning more about the impact her organization is making.

In today's episode we interview Sam and Shariff Sayed, the co-founders of Dayna’s Footprint, which is a non-profit organization aimed at buying name brand shoes for underprivileged students. The organization’s mission is to combat learning inequity by providing students shoes to wear proudly, subsequently increasing students’ self-esteem and enthusiasm for attending school.

During our discussion we learn the amazing inspiration behind Dayna’s Footprint, and how brothers, Sam and Shariff, were able to take an idea for helping kids all the way to the Ted X stage.  Their goal is to instill confidence in kids through their footwear program, and carry on the legacy of their sister, Dayna, who taught them lessons that they are passing down to the younger generation.  Sam and Shariff have huge hearts and it was amazing getting to know them and learning more about their organization.  

In today's episode we interview Gary Oppenheimer, the founder of Faith Fights Food Waste, which is a global awareness program of AmpleHarvest.org.  The program gives faith leaders of all religions the opportunity to speak to their congregations about the waste of food in America, each from their own faith perspective.

Gary shares how his program focuses on providing faith leaders with sermons that empower each community to combat food waste.  We are thrilled to have Gary join us on another Connect Kindness Podcast and this is another very insightful episode.  So without further delay, this is our interview with Gary Oppenheimer of Faith Fights Food Waste.

In today's episode we interview Tracy Chmelecki, the founder of Children without beds. Tracy and her team started a nonprofit in 2017 to answer the calling of children without beds in the Metro Atlanta area.

Tracy opens up about how volunteering in an underprivileged community in Atlanta, GA opened her eyes and her heart to starting a nonprofit.  We discuss the process of how families can sign up for assistance to receive a bed and also the overwhelming demand that her organization has seen.  We also talk about how Tracy has a vision of her organization servicing families nationwide. So without further delay, this is our interview with Tracy Chmelecki of Children without Beds.

In today's episode we interview Gary Oppenheimer, the founder of AmpleHarvest.org. Gary and his team envision an America where millions of gardeners eliminate wasted food, malnutrition and hunger in their own community.

Gary shares with us the inspiration behind starting AmpleHarvest.org, and how he had the vision of connecting gardeners with local food pantries to provide fresh food for people in need.  We discuss how within 5 years of starting his organization, Gary was recognized as a CNN Hero, spoke about food waste on the TedX stage, and was invited to the White House.  Gary is passionate about helping people and one of the most interesting change makers we’ve spoken to this year.

In today's episode we interview Christine O’Connell, the executive Director of Riley’s Way Foundation. Their mission is to empower young leaders to use kindness and empathy to create meaningful connections and positive change.

Christine shares with us the background of Riley’s Way and details the amazing programs that they offer.  We discuss their initiative to help kids in Public & Private schools connect in a meaningful way.  We learn about their upcoming event , “Call for Kindness” and how they’ve been able to continue to make an impact even through the pandemic.

In today's episode we interview Victoria Strickland, the Director of Communications and Partnerships at About Fresh. Located in the Boston area, they are on a mission to strengthen communities by getting healthy food to the households that need it most. The key to accomplishing their mission is that their programs are built to be integrated into community health systems.

Victoria shares with us the inspiration behind “about fresh” and how the organization has evolved over the years.  We learned about the food programs that they are offering and how they are bringing healthy food closer to communities that need it most.  Victoria educates us on their “Fresh Connect” program, which is a tech-enabled food prescription program that empowers people with the money and flexibility to buy the foods they need to be healthy.