Unsheltered Conversations

John, Staci, & Destiny: From Opportunity to Career — The HomeAid San Diego WORKS Story

Welcome to Unsheltered Conversations, the podcast from HomeAid America where we explore the human stories, partnerships, and solutions shaping the conversation around homelessness. This podcast is hosted by Scott Larson, CEO of HomeAid America. Today’s conversation is about something incredibly important and often overlooked in the conversation around homelessness: opportunity. We know that housing is foundational. But for long-term stability, people also need pathways to employment, purpose, and career growth. Because without income, long-term housing stability becomes incredibly difficult to sustain. That’s exactly what the HomeAid WORKS program is designed to do. HomeAid San Diego has built one of the most impactful versions of this program in the country, bringing together builders, employers, service providers, and community partners to create real career pathways in the construction industry. Since launching in 2022, the program has trained over 118 individuals with plans for 48 additional this year and continues to grow, helping participants gain skills, confidence, and access to meaningful employment opportunities. Episode Guests: * John Peterson: Executive Director of HomeAid San Diego * Staci Reidinger: Board member and passionate advocate for the program * Destiny Dubois: Graduate of the WORKS program Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HomeAid⁠⁠⁠. [https://www.homeaid.org/]

Gina, Don, & Theresa: A Place for Mothers — The Story of Precious Life Shelter

Welcome to Unsheltered Conversations, the podcast from HomeAid America where we explore the human stories, partnerships, and solutions shaping the conversation around homelessness. This podcast is hosted by Scott Larson, CEO of HomeAid America. Today’s conversation is especially meaningful as we approach Mother’s Day, a time when we reflect on the strength, resilience, and love of mothers everywhere. But for many women, especially those experiencing homelessness while pregnant or parenting young children, that journey can be incredibly fragile and uncertain. Episode guests: * Gina Cunningham: Executive Director of HomeAid Orange County Los Angeles * Theresa Murphy: Executive Director of Precious Life Shelter * Don Jacobs: Architect whose vision and commitment have helped shape every phase of Precious Life since the very beginning Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HomeAid⁠⁠⁠. [https://www.homeaid.org/]

Kevin Fagan: The Lost and the Found

Welcome to Unsheltered Conversations, the podcast from HomeAid America where we explore the human stories, partnerships, and solutions shaping the conversation around homelessness. This podcast is hosted by Scott Larson, CEO of HomeAid America. Today’s conversation is with someone who has spent decades helping the public understand homelessness not just as a statistic, but as a deeply human story. Kevin Fagan is an award-winning journalist who spent many years reporting on homelessness for the San Francisco Chronicle. His reporting has taken him into encampments, shelters, hospitals, and city halls documenting the realities of life on the streets and the systems meant to respond to it. His book, The Lost and the Found, brings readers into the lives of individuals experiencing homelessness in a way that is honest, compassionate, and deeply revealing. At HomeAid, we recently featured Kevin’s book in our national newsletter and in the Recommended Reading section on our website, because it provides such a powerful lens into the human experience behind homelessness. Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠⁠HomeAid⁠⁠⁠. [https://www.homeaid.org/]

Mandy Crater & Cindy Bell: Essentials Diaper Drive Episode

Welcome to Unsheltered Conversations, the podcast from HomeAid America, where we explore real solutions, real partnerships, and real stories behind the work to build a future without homelessness. This podcast is hosted by Scott Larson, CEO of HomeAid America. Today, we’re talking about something small but incredibly powerful. A diaper. For most parents, diapers are a routine part of raising a child. But for families experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity, diapers can represent something much bigger, stability, dignity, and the ability to keep moving forward. Through HomeAid’s Essentials Diaper Drive, our affiliates and builder partners have come together to provide millions of diapers and essential items to families in need across the country. Joining me today are two incredible leaders who have helped make this effort what it is today, Mandy Crater, Executive Director of HomeAid Georgia, and Cindy Bell, Executive Director of HomeAid Colorado. Links: * Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠HomeAid⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.homeaid.org/] * See our HomeAid Affiliates [https://www.homeaid.org/affiliates]

Lynne Williams & Brandon Cooper : Small Homes, Big Impact — Toll Brothers, HomeAid Austin, and Community First! Village

Welcome to Unsheltered Conversations, the podcast from HomeAid America, where we explore real solutions, real partnerships, and real stories behind the work to build a future without homelessness. This podcast is hosted by Scott Larson, CEO of HomeAid America. Today’s episode takes us to Austin, Texas and to one of themost inspiring and innovative communities in the country: Community First! Village, created by Mobile Loaves & Fishes. Recently, we celebrated the ribbon cutting of two beautifulmicro homes built by Toll Brothers in partnership with HomeAid Austin. These homes represent more than shelter. They represent dignity, stability, and the opportunity for someone to begin again. HomeAid Austin has helped build nearly fifty homes withinthis incredible community over the years, and this latest project reflects both the continued commitment of our affiliate and the extraordinary leadership of our national builder partners like Toll Brothers. Joining me today are two people who helped make thispossible. Lynne Williams, Executive Director of HomeAid Austin, andBrandon Cooper from Toll Brothers. Learn more about ⁠⁠HomeAid⁠⁠ [https://www.homeaid.org/].