In this episode of the Strengthening Community Podcast, we begin a two-part series called Reimagining Recovery. Guests Ivan Rosa, John Niarhos, and Ryan Schweiger share both professional insights and lived experiences with addiction and recovery. Together, with hosts Mark and Mike, they explore how substance use impacts families, workplaces, and neighborhoods, and highlight the importance of connection, compassion, and community support in breaking stigma and fostering healing.

This episode of the Strengthening the Community podcast continues the discussion on disability and belonging, featuring Bev Weinberg of Integrate for Good and Angela McFarland of Jake’s Baristas. Both share how their organizations create spaces for people with disabilities to connect, contribute, and thrive, whether through leadership programs, inclusive service projects, or a welcoming coffee shop & open mic nights. The conversation emphasizes that belonging is a human need, not a special one, and that true inclusion comes from proximity, safety, and opportunities to give back. Stories of individuals working in competitive employment, volunteering, and building confidence illustrate how communities become stronger when everyone is valued and celebrated.   Learn more about Bev and Angela's organizations: https://integrateforgood.org/ https://www.jakesbaristas.com/ 

This episode introduces new co-host Mike McKenna and sets the tone for a podcast centered around building inclusive communities. The conversation is deeply personal, reflective, and rooted in the value of belonging—especially for people with disabilities. The episode includes interviews with community members with disabilities, centering their lives, insights, and the supports that help them thrive.

Join some of our Crisis Prevention and Intervention team members, individuals with lived experience and one of their partners in the Montgomery County Veterans Response Team (VRT) as they discuss PTSD and how to support those in our community who may be struggling. Trauma is part of human experience. Healing happens in connection to our community.

Every June, Pride Month is celebrated globally. This Pride month, we are reminded that our greatest strength is found in our shared humanity and unity with everyone in our community. Communities are their strongest when everyone has a sense of belonging. Join our host, Mark Boorse and some of our Crisis Prevention and Intervention team members, Lindsey, Dottie and Alex, as they share their work to provide authentic and person-centered support for our community. Listen as they discuss what it means to create belonging in the community and how to be a support for our LGBTQIA+ neighbors in meaningful ways.

National Foster Care Month recognizes the important role that people from all parts of child welfare play in supporting children, youth, and families. The 2025 theme, “Engaging Youth. Building Supports. Strengthening Opportunities.” highlights the need to create a support system that authentically engages and prepares young people who are leaving foster care. In 2021, 77 percent of eligible youth in foster care, ages 14–21 years old, exited care without receiving the federally funded services necessary to prepare them for adulthood and independent living. Our hosts, Mark Boorse and Brianna Amantia, are joined by Ursula Yao, our Director of Foster Care, John Crawley, a young adult who has aged out of foster care, and Juli Apple, our Provider Recruiter and long-time advocate for children and families who have adopted through the foster care system. Together, they discuss the foster care system, the challenges that young adults face as they exit the foster care system, the support foster families and children need and how the community can come alongside the child welfare system to help build strong supports. Resources mentioned in episode: Valley Youth House Mentoring Program https://valleyyouthhouse.org/programs/life-skills-independent-living/mentoring/ The Kindness Project https://mykindnessproject.org/  Foster Love https://fosterlove.com/  Access Services Foster Care Foster Care & Foster Homes | Access Services Become a Foster family Providers - Access Services

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Since its inception in 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month has been a cornerstone of addressing the challenges faced by millions of Americans living with mental health conditions. One of the less talked about topics is the intersection of incarceration and mental illness. Cristina Mejia, Director of Justice Related Services, joins our host, Mark Boorse and Shuja Moore, producer of the documentary, Pardon Me, to talk about this issue. Using lived experience as a springboard in advocacy, Mark, Cristina and Shuja talk candidly about the implications of mental health and incarceration, the difficulties in breaking the cycle of recidivism and, in Shuja’s case, the long journey to be pardoned of previous crimes.

Introducing Strengthening Communities, a podcast where we will discuss a variety of topics in the human services fields and how our communities can be strengthened as we all work together.