Gabrielle Piceno

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On this episode of WGITN, Grace and Andrew sit down and talk with Nolen Burchett and Ahmad Bahrami. Nolen and Ahmad come from two different edges of the mental health and addiction solution spectrum, and yet were able to find common ground about the drugs, addictions, and hurdles that plague our county and country, as well as the long term solutions. Grace also shares a bit of her personal experience navigating recovery options as a family member.

Check out the next episode of What’s Good in the Neighborhood!

Richard and Tumani work with kids in urban environments in Fresno that have every odd stacked against them – the foster care system, homelessness, abuse, and trafficking to name a few. But these two have dedicated their lives to not only provide safe environments, but also to offer kids in crisis the opportunity to plan, dream, and execute the life they want. Join us today on What’s Good to talk about what it takes to engage kids who need support, how you can get involved, and what it means to be a person who provides access and hope.

Check out the next episode of What’s Good in the Neighborhood!

On this episode, we talk with two people operating from 2 different ends of the homelessness crisis who have chosen to partner together; McKenna Gilman of KuppaCares, who provides a hot cup of coffee and a kind conversation to the homeless of Fresno, and Zack Darrah, CEO of Poverello House, a full service homelessness center providing temporary shelter, addiction and recovery services, a church, and a “free” restaurant. The two discuss interacting with the homeless, the issues they’re seeing on the street, having faith centered conversations, and why both of their roles are a call to serve the least of these.

Check out the next episode of What’s Good in the Neighborhood!

In our new series, For the Long Run, we’re tackling big issues that won’t be fixed overnight. Today, we talk with Esther Carver and Dan Zack to discuss the obstacles facing affordable housing, the creativity needed to offer different options to people, and the exciting solutions that folks are working on to bring change to the space. This episode is Fresno heavy, and discusses in detail the specific issues we face here in the valley.

Check out the next episode of What’s Good in the Neighborhood!

Is the church the asset in the neighborhood or is it one of many? Jason Spencer tackles this question head-on as local pastor who has committed to not just being a church in a neighborhood, but a church with the neighborhood, there to empower people in their God-given dignity and the work they’ve been called to do! The trio talk about the difference between outreach and place based focus, leadership development, and the power of being a real partner in the neighborhood and not just a location to attend.

Jason Spencer is the lead pastor of Image Church in Southwest Fresno. Image Church started their community development organization called Generation Changers for kids in their local schools, and also has opened up their property for job skill development.

Series 2, Episode 4 of What’s Good in the Neighborhood is here!

If you went on our Drive Tour, you heard Chris De Leon talking about the YoVille 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.

Series 2, Episode 3 of What’s Good in the Neighborhood is here!

Andrew and Grace are joined 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?

Series 2, Episode 2 of What’s Good in the Neighborhood is here!

On this episode in our Drive Tour Series, Andrew and Grace sit down with Marcel Woodruff. On Marcel’s part of the Drive Tour, he gives us amazing stories of community members that are dreaming of a healthier thriving in Southwest Fresno. Marcel talks on this episode about the why behind that, what drives him as a community organizer and mentor, and how everyone can start thinking about the neighborhoods that your city has left behind.

Season 2, Episode #1 of What’s Good in the Neighborhood is here!

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 know 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.

Learn more about other ENP Audio Drive Tours HERE.