The housing crisis is not just a headline—it’s a daily reality for many of Fresno’s residents, particularly for seniors living on fixed incomes. As rent costs rise, more and more seniors are finding themselves unable to afford safe and stable housing, pushing them to the brink of displacement.
One local church is stepping up to meet this need in a unique and inspiring way. Westside Church of God in Southwest Fresno is building tiny homes for seniors struggling to pay rent in their community.
Today, Andrew and Grace picked the brains of Natalie Caples and Jennifer Rhoden, two people who tackle a very large question every day in their work – How do we get food into the hands of people who are food insecure?
Natalie has served as Nutrition Education Coordinator, Programs Supervisor, Programs Manager, Director of Programs, and Chief Operations Officer since joining Central California Food Bank in 2008, and was appointed co-Chief Executive Officer in June 2020. She graduated from San Jose State University with a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition with a concentration in Dietetics and a minor in Business Administration.
Jennifer is the Program Manager for the Nutrition Education Department with Fresno Metro Ministry.
Grace and Andrew sit down with two local CEOs, AP Armour and Mark Ford. AP and Mark share learned insights around job readiness, job development, and the power of a job. The 4 chat about the different models and perspectives they implement in order to hire people who may be on their 2nd or 3rd chance in order to develop incredible employees. If you want to learn more about barriers to employment, hiring those that live on the edges of society, and the amazing benefits that it brings to businesses, you will love this conversation!
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.
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.
For over 15 years, Every Neighborhood Partnership (ENP) has been a catalyst for change in Fresno through community-driven initiatives empowering residents to transform their own neighborhoods and schools. Now, we’re excited to take our commitment to the next level with the purchase of our very own building!
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.
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.
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.
A child’s reading skills are directly tied to their ability to thrive as an adult. Completing job applications, applying for scholarships, registering to vote, and getting a car loan all involve reading! Students with strong literacy skills are more likely to have higher self-esteem, graduate high school, and earn a living wage.
Because of this, Every Neighborhood Partnership (ENP) believes a city that works for everyone is a city where all children are given the support they need to become strong readers. However, in Fresno Unified School District (FUSD), only 22% of our 70,000 students are reading at their grade level.
